Topic: PCR testing

Starting 1 March, the Public Health Department will no longer require confirmation PCR testing for COVID-19 cases, marking its strongest push yet to return to ‘normal’ and move away from the pandemic.

With fewer people opting to undergo confirmatory PCR testing, Public Health has announced it will no longer release daily figures of COVID-19 cases, as the official statistics no longer reflect the actual number of cases on island.

The Public Health Department has announced new operating hours effective Friday March 11, 2022 for the Isolation/Quarantine Exit & Positive LFT Confirmation PCR Testing Centres.

The Public Health Department has announced that effective Tuesday 1st February 2022, the hours of operation for PCR testing walk-in clinics at Ed Bush Sports Complex and Bodden Town Civic Centre will be held from 1 – 3pm daily for exit isolation and confirmation lateral flow PCR testing.

People seeking confirmation PCR tests of positive lateral flow tests can now get them at the drive-through clinic at the Truman Bodden Bodden Sports Complex in George Town, instead of the South Sound Community Centre.

In response to delays and long lines of people waiting to undergo PCR tests at the South Sound Community Centre, Public Health is now offering daily confirmation testing in West Bay and Bodden Town for those who have returned positive lateral flow test results.

Here are the requirements, as of 17 Dec., for vaccinated travellers heading to some of the destinations to which there are direct flights from Cayman.

This week's increased number of COVID cases has fuelled a high demand for lateral flow tests, as well as prompted a significant uptick in PCR testing.

Public Health has said an additional automated step is being implemented for the release of individuals who are quarantining after a COVID-19 positive traveller was inadvertently released from isolation.

Under new regulations requiring all incoming travellers to prove they have tested negative for COVID-19 prior to arrival on island, anyone who provides fake or forged documentation to that effect could face two years in jail and a $10,000 fine.

The Cayman Islands Tourism Association is urging all its members, particularly their frontline workers, to be vaccinated as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is rolled out locally.

Cayman continued its negative COVID-19 tests stretch Tuesday as no new cases were reported in the latest batch of tests, according to Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee.