EASTERN AVENUE TM & © 2021 Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. Get it while it’s hot! cayman compass Your most trusted news source Established 1965 $1 | Funding local journalism | Friday, 5-11 November 2021 Premier Wayne Panton attends international climate change summit. Page 10 Teachers, uniform services, over-40s to get boosters. Page 6 COVID cases on the rise Tackling global warming at COP26 Family grieves 10 years after unsolved murder. Page 14 Seeking justice for Preston RiversMatinees (matinee price before 6pm) • Seniors $8.00 (Mon-Fri before 6pm) Additional charges apply per 3D/VIP tickets 640-FILM (640-3456) Cayman Cinema@cbcinema6cbcinema6 SATURDAY NIGHT: For your viewing pleasure, minors under the age of 18 will not be admitted to any film starting after 6pm, unless accompanied by their parent. 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SEA STATE Slight with heights 1 to 3 feet. caymancompass.comfacebook.com/caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass WINDS East to northeast at 5 to 10 knots. 87°F HIGH 77°F LOW PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY: Cayman Compass Ltd. Compass Centre, Shedden Road, George Town, Cayman Islands SEND US YOUR VIEWS OR NEWS: P.O. Box 1365 Grand Cayman, KY1-1108 Cayman Islands Telephone: (345) 815-0095 Email: newsdesk@compassmedia.ky ADVERTISE WITH US: T: (345) 949-5111 E: sales@compassmedia.ky W: caymancompass.com PUBLISHER KATHLEEN CAPETTA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF KEVIN MORALES FIND US ONLINE Caymancompass.com Facebook.com/Caycompass cayman_compass@cayCompassCayman Compass COVID-positive traveller charged A 28-year-old woman has been charged with breach of COVID-19 suppression regulations, for travelling to Cayman, despite having tested positive for COVID-19. The woman arrived in Cayman on 9 Sept. aboard Cayman Airways flight KX605 from the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, Jamaica. Her identity has not been released by police. At the time of her arrival, COVID-19 Suppression and Prevention Regulations required all inbound travellers to produce a negative COVID-19 PCR result from a test taken within 72 hours prior to their arrival in Grand Cayman. She is expected to appear in Summary Court later this month. Library director Paul Robinson passes Paul Robinson, the director of the Cayman Islands Public Library Services, passed away suddenly on 31 Oct. All public libraries in Cayman were closed the following day as a mark of respect. Robinson was appointed director in 2019 and had been with the library service since 2013. He was also chairman of the Cayman Islands Information Professionals association and was passionate about literacy. According to an interview with Cayman Current, Robinson, who was also a writer, spent a decade working in television as an archivist and librarian; worked in Bermuda for three years as an archivist; and arrived in Cayman in 2009 to work for the Cayman Islands National Archive, before moving to the library service. CAL resumes jet service to La Ceiba Cayman Airways has resumed its Boeing 737-8 passenger service to La Ceiba, Honduras, but will not be flying those jets at full capacity, it confirmed. The airline was forced to use smaller planes to transport passengers to and from Goloson International Airport after the airport’s operational capabilities were downgraded to Category 6 last month. At the time, CAL said its 737-8 jets could only fly into airports with a Category 7 rating for Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services. In a statement, Cayman Airways said, along with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Cayman Islands, it had carried out an assessment of the International Civil Aviation Organization requirements for Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Service of Goloson airport. “This assessment has led to several CAACI-approved operational adjustments by Cayman Airways which maintain the required levels of safety, and includes limiting passenger loads to traditional B737-300 aircraft levels when using the larger B737-8 aircraft,” the airline said. The capacity of the 737-300 aircraft is 122 passengers. COVID delays garbage pick-ups The Department of Environmental Health advised the public to expect delays in garbage collections because some of its staff are in mandatory quarantine as COVID-19 continues to spread in the local communuity. DEH Director Richard Simms said the rise of COVID-19 cases in Cayman is impacting collection schedules. In a statement issued on 29 Oct., he said, “We are seeing a trickle effect with DEH persons having to quarantine. However, we are committed to give continuation to our weekly routine. We will always seek to make our collections on time, but we recognize that some routes may be delayed by a day or so.” MOvember kicks off with close shaves Eighty men had their faces shaved on 1 Nov., to mark the beginning of MOvember, a month of fundraising for, and education about, male cancers. This year, at least 10 of the participants went a step further and had their heads shaved into a mohawk. The ‘MOhawks’ are a twist on the usual ‘MOustaches’ that men grow each November to raise money for the Cayman Islands Cancer Society, as organisers figured that many of the impressive moustaches would end up being hidden behind COVID masks. Dave O’Driscoll, of the MOvember Committee, explained, “This year, you might be growing a moustache but no one gets to see the glory, or the embarrassment – it depends on how well you grow it – so, we thought... you can’t hide a mohawk. We wanted to see how many guys would shave their heads into a mohawk and keep it for the month of November.” Conch season opens With the official opening of the six-month-long conch and whelk season on 1 Nov., the Department of Environment is advising people to take precautions to avoid spreading the deadly stony coral tissue loss disease. Anyone taking conch and whelk from local coastal waters needs to be mindful of the threat to coral from SCTLD, said John Bothwell, manager, legislation implementation and coordination unit at the DoE. “DoE asks anyone getting in the water snorkelling, including persons going after conchs, to disinfect their snorkel gear after they are done, or between sites if they go to more than one area in the day. This is to limit the spread of SCTLD around the Cayman Islands,” Bothwell said. Police warn about fake rental ads The RCIPS Financial Crime Investigation Unit is warning the public to be wary of fraudulent apartment-rental advertisements on local websites, such as EcayTrade.com. The unit noted that while such fraudulent advertisements are quickly removed from the sites, they are often reposted later on. Police noted that the fraudulent adverts, offering accommodation at lower-than-usual prices, typically include photographs, details of the apartment and an email address for the listing agent. Once contact is established, the criminal tells the victim the property is managed by AirBnB and to send wire transfer funds to a third-party bank account outside Cayman, or sends a fake Airbnb link to the victim, which directs them to a fake Airbnb payment page. After the transaction goes through, the criminal typically removes the ad, ignores all follow- up emails and the victim is never able to recoup their losses. Police warn if a deal “seems to be good to be true, it probably is”. They advise potential renters to view properties in person before conducting any transactions and to be wary of anyone who refuses to accommodate this. NEWS IN BRIEF Paul Robinson 'MO Bros' get cut-throat razor shaves and mohawks at the launch of MOvember on 1 Nov. - Photo: Alvaro Serey cayman compass 2 N news FRIDAY, 5 NOVEMBER 2021Harbour Walk Office Suites FOR LEASE: CLASS-A OFFICE SUITES Harbour Walk Office Suites will offer the first “Class A office” space on the Eastern side of George Town, with amenities comparable to the best Cayman has to offer. Suites offer a range of shared amenities. HW Office Suites tick all the boxes for “Class A office” space, including a hurricane resilient building elevated to 8’ above mean sea level with full generator back up. Spaces can also be customised to meet tenants’ requirements. Join colleagues or clients for lunch at the signature restaurant, start your day with coffee and patisserie, get in a workout at Anytime Fitness, all without leaving the property. RMLS#: 1597 Suites Range from 650 - 3,500 Sq.Ft. Business Centre Conference Room Swimming Pool Jogging Track Open Gym & Yoga Pad Communal Kitchen Member of CIREBA Trisha Johnson 547-4231 | trisha@irg.ky Jeremy Hurst jeremy@irg.ky Designated Parking Full Generator Backup FIND OUT MORE, CONTACT: cayman compass 3 FRIDAY, 5 NOVEMBER 20211234567 89 101112 13 1415 16 171819 20 212223 2425 1234567 89 101112 13 1415 16 171819 20 212223 2425 ACROSS 1 Consider (7) 5 A shift in opinion (5) 8 Sensitive subject (4,5) 9 Dead heat (3) 10 Gape (4) 12 Dawn (8) 14 Arrive in a vehicle (4,2) 15 Go to bed (4,2) 17 Generally believed (8) 18 Understand (4) 21 Uncooked (3) 22 Without fixed limits (4-5) 24 Before due time (5) 25 Outstanding skill (7) DOWN 1 Chancy (5) 2 To a great degree (3) 3 Catch sight of (4) 4 Island formerly Formosa (6) 5 Begin to do (3,5) 6 Having private information (2,3,4) 7 Small pickled cucumber (7) 11 Resolute self-control (9) 13 Right of self-government (8) 14 Restrained manner (7) 16 Atone for (6) 19 Pious (5) 20 Previously unknown information (4) 23 Female deer (3) The Compass Crossword Puzzle The Compass universal kakuro Puzzle 16841 The numbers in the black cells are clues. Numbers above the slash are across clues. Number below the slash are down clues. The goal is to enter digits 1 - 9 in the white cells to add up to the number clues. You cannot enter any digit more than once when adding up to clue. TODAY'S SOLUTIONS Puzzle 16841 ACROSS: 1 Reflect, 5 Swing, 8 Sore point, 9 Tie, 10 Yawn, 12 Daybreak, 14 Roll up, 15 Turn in, 17 Supposed, 18 Twig, 21 Raw, 22 Open-ended, 24 Early, 25 Mastery. DOWN: 1 Risky, 2 Far, 3 Espy, 4 Taiwan, 5 Set about, 6 In the know, 7 Gherkin, 11 Willpower, 13 Autonomy, 14 Reserve, 16 Redeem, 19 Godly, 20 News, 23 Doe. With the announcement of the Cayman Islands border reopening on the 20th of November, are you planning to travel? cayman compass Not travellingYes, as a tourist/visitor to Cayman Yes, as a Cayman resident travelling on/off-island ONLINE POLL 57% 1922 31% 1054 12% 418 The requirement for visitors to go into a portal to upload their vaccination records in order to come into the island concerns me. My husband and I were vaccinated in Cayman last winter. Once the Health Services Authority portal was available to set up an account so our vaccination records would be available for verification, if necessary, I started that process. I made a mistake in the application and when I submitted it I received an email telling me to go back and fix it. That has proved impossible. The application process says I’ve already submitted it. I can’t log in without a password but I didn’t get far enough in the process to set up a password. After several email exchanges with the HSA saying they would look into it, three weeks later I have heard nothing. We are left in ‘portal limbo’ and are now unable to have our vaccination records accessed. If the proposed customs/ immigration portal is like the HSA portal process, it’s going to be a nightmare for visitors trying to do what the government wants for entry. That’s not going to help bring back visitors. Cindy Smith Visitors in vaccine ‘limbo’ after issues with HSA patient portal Letters to the editor Second raccoon caught and ‘humanely euthanised’ They could [have quarantined] the raccoon like they do in other countries, and in [a] certain period of time, if it does not develop rabies symptoms, it could [have] been a cute attraction with a fun story to tell, and he would have a happy life. – Mirelys Rivas They found no rabies in the first one they caught so the [second] one was more than likely the same. Why kill it too? It had a broken leg probably caused when they were catching. They could have done something to help it heal and handed it over to the turtle farm. – Kirna Ebanks Community COVID cases continue to rise and reach Sister Islands Poor leadership from the time the quarantine period was reduced to five days; that was the beginning of what we see happening now. – Jewel M Hydes Can we also note that there is literally nowhere for positive cases to quarantine separately from negative family members and if anyone needed urgent care we are effed due to lack of resources? Big up, Faith Hospital staff in the Brac because, let me tell you, they have very little to work with! – Sarasue McField Yea, lets reopen the borders... Just wait until the tourists start to come back, going to get dramatically worse. My wife and I have been coming down down 3 to 4 times a year for over 20 years. It popped up on my [Facebook] memories 2 days ago, the last time we were on island was November 2, 2019. Our April 2020 trip was of course cancelled. I miss the island so so much and I miss all of our friends, but reopening is going to be bad for everyone. – Brian Branco I hate to say this but COVID is never going to be eradicated. Vaccinated people are getting it and passing away and unvaccinated are getting it and passing away. On the positive note on these positive cases... people are building natural immunity to it. – Anita Magoon Suker RCIPS arrest four drivers on suspicion of DUI Please also start arresting the people who are incapable of indicating on a roundabout. – Harvey Gowers Just put a check stop at the end of the Wendy’s/Burger King drive-thrus after midnight on a weekend. Catch a whole lot more DUI. Edmonton Police have been doing it at McDonald’s for years. – Cyndy Ebanks Positive COVID-19 passenger charged for travelling to Cayman Would love to see that test result, and how hard it was to read, as nurses also missed it upon arrival. – Soca Phillips Who in Jamaica allowed her to leave? Is it Jamaica who checked her at the Cayman Airways desk or before she got on the plane? – Mario Williams Prosecute her to the full extent of the law! – HollyAnn Mckenzie Waste of time and money. – Victor Look Loy Government reiterates commitment to anti- bullying law Perhaps the PACT government could follow their own anti-bullying advice? Demonstrate good behaviours before you tell others what to do. – Taura Ebanks Thanks for putting this at the forefront. The issue of bullying on this island [has] not been taken very seriously and something needs to be done. – Janet Sinclair Young What they’re saying cayman compass 4 news N news FRIDAY, 5 NOVEMBER 2021cayman compass 5 FRIDAY, 5 NOVEMBER 2021Community transmission cases at more than 100 a day NORMA CONNOLLY nconnolly@compassmedia.ky As local cases of COVID-19 continue to climb, vaccine booster shots are now being made available to teachers, police, customs and border control staff, prison officers and firefighters. Updates on community transmission cases from Public Health so far this month show the numbers rising by more than 100 a day. However, with rapid lateral flow tests now in use, there is no longer a requirement for everyone in a household to quarantine if a person in that home has been in contact with a positive case (See page 7). Figures released on 3 Nov. show that the number of active cases in the Cayman Islands at that time was 1,299. According to statistics compiled by the Cayman Compass, based on Public Health data, the number of local cases reported since 9 Sept. – when the first community transmission case in more than a year was reported – and 2 Nov. was 1,308. On the Sister Islands – which had seen no confirmed COVID cases throughout September and through much of October – cases also started to climb late last month, and as of 3 Nov., there had been 73 cases reported. This included one person on Cayman Brac who was flown to the Cayman Islands Hospital in George Town and required supplemental oxygen. Booster shots Public Health announced on 4 Nov., that teachers and uniformed services workers from the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, Prison Service, Fire Service and Customs and Border Control are now eligible to get their COVID-19 vaccination boosters. In addition, anyone aged 40 and over will be able to get their third, or booster, shot from Monday, 8 Nov. Prior to this, only those aged 50 and over, and the clinically vulnerable, were eligible to receive a booster dose. In its announcement, Public Health reminded that those getting booster shots must have received their second dose at least six months beforehand. Those eligible to receive their booster should bring along their vaccination card or digital certificate showing proof of their second dose along with a government-issued photo ID. “The public is reminded not to attend vaccine clinics if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms in [the] interest of the safety of staff and the fellow community,” the statement noted. Surge in cases With the number of local cases on the rise, in recent days it has become commonplace for local businesses and public-facing government offices to announce one-day closures while deep cleaning and sanitisation is carried out, when a staff member or a member of their household tests positive. The surge in numbers has led to some delays in compiling daily statistics of cases and in contact tracing. At one point, there was a five-day lag in releasing updated figures. Medical Officer of Health Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez, in a statement, addressed complaints about the delays in COVID-19 data coming from Public Health. He said, “The large numbers of positives necessarily lead to a great deal more work in processing results, because each result is checked for accuracy. For example, each test is checked to ensure that it is not a duplicate from someone already previously tested. This has meant a change in systems in order that up-to-date results will continue to be supplied regularly.” Previously, Public Health had been phoning people to inform them that they have tested positive, but due to the increase in cases, COVID-positive individuals are now being emailed their results, either by the Health Services Authority, Doctors Hospital or Health City Cayman Islands, depending on where they took their COVID test. Health Minister Sabrina Turner, in a statement, called for patience, saying, “I would ask everyone to understand that results can take up to 72 hours to be returned, and that the testing volumes have increased drastically. So, please be patient, as we want to ensure that the national statistics we are issuing are reported accurately in addition to being disseminated as quickly as possible.” As for contact tracing, according to Public Health, it is “making every effort to contact positive individuals to collect relevant information within 72 hours”. Hospitalisations By 3 Nov., there were eight people with COVID-19 in hospital, including the Brac patient. Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Lee said some of the hospitalisations might not be deemed strictly necessary in other jurisdictions, but the patients were admitted due to the HSA “taking a cautious approach”. He said, “I need to say that, on the whole, at the George Town Hospital, we often admit people… in order to make sure that we can watch them and monitor them. I think perhaps in even up to half of the cases that are currently admitted, in many countries these people may well have been managed at home. But we have erred on the side of caution to keep them safe and comfortable and under observation in the hospital.” Vaccinations Chief Nursing Officer Dr. Hazel Brown, in a statement issued on 2 Nov., noted that of the positive cases reported for the week of 24-30 Oct., 61% were unvaccinated, 3% were partially vaccinated and 36% were fully vaccinated. As of 3 Nov., 116,075 COVID-19 vaccinations had been administered in Cayman. Of these, 56,808 (80% of the estimated population of 71,106) have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 54,613 (77%) have completed the two-dose course. Additionally, 4,654 (representing 24% of those over the age of 50) have had a booster dose. Booster shots for teachers, uniformed services staff “The large numbers of positives necessarily lead to a great deal more work in processing results, because each result is checked for accuracy.” Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez, Medical Officer of Health 80% The percentage of Cayman’s population that has received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine cayman compass 6 news N news FRIDAY, 5 NOVEMBER 2021RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky The introduction of government’s lateral flow test policy seeks to reduce isolation times for close contacts of positive cases and manage the strain placed on labs processing COVID-19 PCR tests. The new policy, which was published on 29 Oct., is designed to offer “some supportive information and direction in what can be a very challenging and disruptive time for families”, Premier Wayne Panton said in a media statement announcing the release of the National Policy on Lateral Flow Tests and guidelines. The guidelines advise the community on what steps to follow when a member of a household either tests positive for COVID-19, or is a primary contact of a positive case. This article takes a closer look at the policy, which is applicable for all residents and is expected to remain in effect for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency. How do lateral flow tests work? Antigen-Detecting Rapid Diagnostic Tests use lateral flow immunoassays to detect SARS- CoV-2 viral proteins (antigens) in swabs from the nose or throat, or both, to offer a faster and less expensive method to detect the virus than PCR tests. The tests give a quick result, often between 15 and 30 minutes. Does the lateral flow test replace the PCR test? No, PCR tests will continue to be used to verify positives identified through lateral flow tests. Which lateral flow test brands are allowed under the national policy? Government-approved lateral flow tests include ACON Biotech Flowflex SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test, Bioperfectus Technologies Novel Corona Virus Ag Rapid Test kit and the Hughes Veritas Rapid Antigen Test for SARS CoV-2. Any other lateral flow test brand selected for use by government will undergo confirmatory testing by the accredited laboratory of the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority. The recommended age for people to be screened with the tests is 2 years and older, unless otherwise guided by Public Health. Where can I get them? Most local hospitals, supermarkets, distribution companies and pharmacies are selling the Biotech Flowfex tests, to be used by the private sector; however, there were reports of supply issues following a spike in COVID-19 cases in the last week of October. Government will provide test kits for screening and surveillance testing government workers, staff and students in educational institutions, both government and private, according to the policy document. In any other scenario, the cost of the test kits must be borne by the employer, organisation, or individual. When should I use the tests? If a member of your household tests positive, then that person must immediately isolate. All vaccinated members of the household, including children, should conduct daily lateral flow tests for 10 days. Daily testing must continue until all positive cases in the household are cleared by Public Health. Do I have to isolate when someone is positive in my household? If you receive a negative result from your lateral flow test, then you can attend school or work if your daily test results continue to be negative. However, if you receive a positive lateral flow test result, you must stay at home and contact Public Health immediately. Vaccinated COVID-positive people, aged 18 and over, are required to isolate for 10 days and will be given a PCR test by Public Health on day 11. Unvaccinated COVID-positive household members must isolate for 14 days and will be tested by Public Health on day 15. What happens if I am unvaccinated? Unvaccinated household members under the age of 18 living with a person who has tested positive can continue to go to school if the daily lateral flow test result is negative. Daily testing must continue until all positive cases in the household are cleared by Public Health. Follow-up testing using a PCR test may be conducted by the Public Health Department. What if I get an inconclusive result? A inconclusive lateral flow test result should be treated as indicating someone has a SARS-CoV-2 infection and, as such, isolation protocols should be followed. What if I test negative, but Public Health says I have to isolate? The guidelines state that if Public Health instructs you to isolate, a negative lateral flow test cannot be used to override that instruction. Public Health may also give your household members directions that must be followed. Can I use the test if I am sick? Screening using lateral flow tests is not intended for people who are symptomatic, according to the policy. In line with Public Health advice, people with symptoms should stay home when sick. Any person with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 should contact their local healthcare provider or the Flu Hotline (1-800- 534-8600 or 947-3077, or email flu@hsa.ky) to seek advice on the best next steps. Can I use the test if I have recovered from COVID-19? Lateral flow tests are not intended for people who have recovered from a laboratory confirmed (PCR) COVID-19 test within the past 90 days and are asymptomatic. “To avoid false positives, they should follow the advice of the Public Health Department on how to conduct future testing (including screening tests),” the policy states. How do I report my results? Residents are required to report their results to Public Health, via an online form, every time a rapid lateral flow test records a positive result, and this must be reported as soon as possible. Results after more than 24 hours cannot be reported. Only one result can be reported at a time with the online form. The form can be found at www.exploregov.ky/ report-covid19-result. What if I have no internet access to fill in the form? If you have no access to the internet, you should contact your local healthcare provider or the Flu Hotline to report a positive and seek advice on the best next steps. Is there a policy for workplace testing? It is up to employers to introduce lateral flow testing as a voluntary or mandatory regime. However, the national policy states that if the option is to mandate screenings, employers must first assess any legal issues, such as data protection. How often should tests be conducted for routine screenings? Where screening of employees using lateral flow tests is conducted, as a minimum recommended standard, tests should be conducted twice weekly, with each test taken within a minimum of three days of each other. It is recommended that it be administered regardless of whether or not people are fully vaccinated. Employers may choose either to set up their own workplace testing or hire a third- party provider to administer the tests, the guidelines state. Who provides the test kits? The policy states that a workplace can provide employees with test kits and ask them to carry out tests at home before going to the office, but they “may choose to implement appropriate protocols for confirming that the tests have been administered as requested and to confirm the results”. Reporting of results can be part of the company policy, but the guidelines recommend that a comprehensive assessment of any legal issues be conducted. What does the policy say about testing students? Lateral flow test kits have been made available for parents and guardians to test students at home twice per week. Those government-issued test kits are intended for student use only and may be administered on Monday or Thursday mornings, or the preceding nights. Positive results should be reported to the Public Health web portal. Students with negative results may attend school. Students with positive results must not attend school and their parents/guardians must contact Public Health to arrange for a PCR test, and the child’s school to report the absence. Rapid lateral flow tests can be done at home to check for COVID-19 antigens. Explainer : Lateral flow test policy cayman compass 7 news N news FRIDAY, 5 NOVEMBER 2021RESHMA RAGOONATH rragoonath@compassmedia.ky The tale of Cayman’s first stowaway raccoons captivated the community for days after the animals were discovered in a shipping container on 22 Oct. While one was trapped that day, the other escaped, sparking national interest as residents rooted for him on social media as he roamed free in West Bay. He was eventually captured in that district on 2 Nov. The next day, the Department of Agriculture confirmed the juvenile male had been euthanised the day it was caught. The animal, the DoA said in a statement, had a compound fracture of the leg which was discovered after examination when it was found near Republix Plaza in West Bay, not far from where it had escaped last month. “Given the animal’s injury, it was humanely euthanized shortly after capture to prevent any further pain and suffering,” the DoA said in a statement issued 3 Nov. “Tissue samples were collected for mandatory testing necessary to determine its disease status.” The first raccoon was also put down and tissue samples sent to the US for rabies testing. That animal tested negative for both rabies and canine distemper viruses, which are known to be carried by raccoons. Senior veterinary officer Dr. Larry Caven, in the statement, said the department was “relieved to learn that the animal was free of both of these very serious diseases, especially given that, following the animal’s capture, it was showing clinical signs of ill health.” Samples from the second raccoon have been sent for similar testing. As news of the animal’s demise spread, it evoked emotional responses from the community, some of whom shared their feelings on the Cayman Compass Facebook page. One reader stated, that after a period of quarantine, if the raccoon did not “develop rabies symptoms, it could [have] been a cute attraction with a fun story to tell, and he would have a happy life”. Another commenter asked, “Why didn’t [the] Humane Society step in and send him back, like they do with animals that find a home? I understand that the lionfish is very bad for both humans and marine life but this raccoon was not even from here, why did not they return it?” “Worst ending ever to this story!” another commenter wrote. However, DoA Assistant Director Brian Crichlow summed up the department’s position, saying that “maintaining the Cayman Islands rabies-free status is of utmost importance as any change to this would not only pose a serious risk to the local human, and animal, population, but would have significant implications as it relates to animal and human vaccination”. The stowaway raccoons were similar to the raccoon pictured here. Runaway raccoon caught 11 The number of days the second raccoon escaped capture “Given the animal’s injury, it was humanely euthanized shortly after capture to prevent any further pain and suffering.” - Department of Agriculture cayman compass 8 FRIDAY, 5 NOVEMBER 2021Men suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) may experience symptoms affecting their relationships, professional life, and overall wellbeing. The most common symptoms include getting up at night to urinate (nocturia), inability to hold or delay peeing (urgency/frequency), and a lack of pressure (weak flow). Other symptoms may include bleeding, pain, erection problems, or incontinence. Some men may find it impossible to pass urine at all (acute urinary retention), which can be highly uncomfortable and requires the emergency placement of a catheter into the bladder. Interestingly, these problems can start as early as 40 to 50 years of age. However, men will often delay seeking treatment due to anxiety around being tested or the potential issues linked to treatments – namely sexual dysfunction, delayed recovery, or incontinence. We know that approximately one in three men over 50 will have moderate or severe symptoms that will need investigation and possible treatment. Older men and those with larger prostate volumes, higher PSA* levels, and worse symptoms are at a higher risk of disease progression. Thankfully, we can now offer an expanding range of treatments for men who fail medical therapy or for those men who simply want to optimise symptom relief alongside a rapid recovery without risking their sex lives or other common surgical complications. Prostatic mini-stapling (Urolift), steam vapour therapy (Rezum), or prostatic artery embolization (PAE) all provide a rapid and minimally invasive means to potentially improve male urinary symptoms. These novel treatments can be performed as day-case procedures, often as an outpatient in the urology clinic. Your specialist will evaluate which procedure is optimal for you and counsel you about the differences between these new treatments. Traditional surgery to cut and remove tissue (TURP**) is still an effective treatment for men, with attention paid to the greater improvement in urinary flow balanced against any potential surgical complications. Your doctor can counsel you about these very different procedures before going ahead with surgery of any kind. Men need to be confident in seeking expert help and support alongside the availability of the latest medical technology. The Facts About Prostate Enlargement (aka BPH) MEN’S HEALTH SPOTLIGHT - We turned to Dr. Oliver Kayes, urologist and men’s health expert at Doctors Hospital (DH), for key facts and advice surrounding prostate problems – and other bodily changes. AD VER T ORIAL *PSA – PROSTATE-SPECIFIC ANTIGEN (A BLOOD TEST). **TURP – TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION OF PROSTATE. Learn more about prostate and other men’s cancers at a free event DATE: Thursday, 18 Nov. TIME: 7pm LOCATION: Lions Centre SPEAKERS: Drs Solomon and Awasthi SPONSOR: Doctors Hospital FREE men’s PSA blood tests will be provided HOSTED BY: Lions Club of Grand Cayman cayman compass 9 FRIDAY, 5 NOVEMBER 2021Next >