200 COVID-19 negative samples reported
(CNS): Chief Medical Officer Dr John Lee said the strict quarantine measures and the decision to ensure that those who are quarantined have two negative tests before being released are helping to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the Cayman Islands. At Wednesday’s press briefing, he said all of the 200 results he had were negative and that many of them were screened samples. This brings the number of tests here to 1,535, with just 73 positives, the majority of which have been traceable.
Government officials have confirmed that around 200 people are currently in official isolation, which includes people who have tested positive and those who have returned to Cayman since the borders were closed and mandated quarantine was introduced for all returners.
Speaking at the COVID-19 briefing, Dr Lee also revealed that some people are still at the quarantine facility and in isolation well after the mandated fourteen days because they tested positive for the coronavirus. The CMO said that there were some people who have been in government quarantine now for several weeks because they continue to test positive.
“There are four people who are having weeks and weeks longer than anticipated and I feel so sorry for them,” he said, as he explained that this is because doctors don’t yet know enough about the disease and don’t know if they are still infectious. As viral particles are still being detected, health officials were continuing to be cautious, and people were being asked to stay isolated because the risk that they can spread the disease remains, he said.
Dr Lee explained that this issue was reflected in what appears to be the low recovery numbers for Cayman, despite the number of people who are asymptomatic and that this was part of Cayman’s success in many ways. Cayman has just ten officially recovered patients from the 73 cases, and just one death, that of ‘patient zero’, who arrived on a cruise ship. That means we still have 62 active cases, even though several are said to be clinically recovered.
Dr Lee said the requirement that no one is given the all clear here until they pass two negative tests after a positive diagnosis may very well have contributed to what appears to be the containment of any spread. He explained that many other countries are just counting days.
“We have a lot of people out there who feel they are good but have still got positive tests and we are requiring them to remain indoors,” he said. “So that is possibly one of the reasons why we have been able to keep our infection rate low.”
Dr Lee also revealed that testing has also begun in old folks homes this week. But despite concerns in many other jurisdictions about the vulnerability of residents in group homes, especially the elderly, once the disease is detected at these facilities, he said there were no plans to reveal details if any residents at these homes did test positive.
Looking to the future and the possible arrival here of anti-body tests that could help create an even more detailed picture of the prevalence of the virus here, the CMO said there were still many questions about how the information from such tests can be used. He pointed out that no one knows for certain that those who have had COVID-19 are going to be protected or, if they are, how much protection or how long it lasts.
Dr Lee said such tests were “not necessarily a way out” from the continued spread; it would only be a vaccine that in the end would help the world emerge from the threat.
See Wednesday’s press briefing on CIGTV below, set to start at Dr Lee’s remarks:
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Category: Health, Medical Health
Google is tweaking their algorithms to filter coronavirus search results. We’re too dumb to read and process dissenting views.
If you have a dissenting view, use your time to write a paper explaining your view and get it peer reviewed.
Your comment is a pretty good example how popular fascism really is. You’d fit in well in N. Korea.
Imagine the pride we could share if this man was Minister of Health (if only ….), instead of the cockwomble we have been stuck with.
What is the purpose of no exercise allowed on a Sunday? It seems it would be the best day to allow people to get out and run or cycle on the roads with virtually no cars around. It’s certainly safer than passing someone at 2 feet like everyone does the rest of the week.
Please remember that there is no plan, never has been, never will be.
We were told a few weeks ago that 500-600 tests a day can be processed, that was just on the HSA machine. why are we being so slow with the tests?
Welcome to the Cayman Islands.
It appears that some people who are very highly qualified actually disagree with Fauci. This lady, Dr. Judy Mikovits has some bombshells for the establishment narrative.
You will find her learned, intelligent and very brave.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq2uuHfmq8k
Real science, truth, courage and integrity is what is needed, not a heavy hand moved by fear.
Fauci is just another doctor! He cannot possibly have all the answers.
Believe me Dr. Fauci is not another doctor. He is generally regarded as one of the top 3 epidemiologists in the world.
Criminal more like.
Do you know Judy Mikovits? She is one of the worlds leading anti-vaccination people.
She is opposed to ALL/ALL vaccinations.
Perhaps you think she is learned, intelligent and very brave but let me assure you that the majority of her medical colleagues, around the world, do not share that view of her.
Maybe that is your problem? You follow the sheep mentality. As such you will be led where they will lead you.
If you want to be led by the 1% then you are a fool when it comes to vaccinations. There is no massive conspiracy to undermine people as Dr. Mikovits would like you to believe. But I get it, you don’t believe in science.
Oh man, Next News? Disgraced and discredited researcher and crazed antibacterial fanatic? This is your argument?
Seeing Next News Network opening the link I shut it down. These people are notoriously lacking in credibility and have been trying to take Fauci down for weeks. A Doctor they had on a few weeks ago for the same purpose was also wrongfully claiming at the same time to be the inventor of email.
This is a good resource to refer to when unsure of a possible motivation behind a media house / article.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/mediabiasfactcheck.com/next-news-network/%3famp
There is now so much sunk cost into the government strategy that the islands cannot reopen until there is a vaccine and/or an effective treatment.
That could be two years or even never. Easy choice to to keep infections to a minimum now but every day makes it look more like a poor and increasingly risky choice.
Does anyone really think this virus is community spread? If it was, wouldn’t the hospitals be full? Yes, the social distancing is obviously the game changer, but still, if you’ve been in the supermarkets etc, and gone home, and not been sick for 6 weeks…it’s not here ..we’re safe…open us up just keep the borders closed
Obviously there are people with more money than you. They know you are bleeding and they are just waiting until you die.
“There are four people who are having weeks and weeks longer than anticipated and I feel so sorry for them,”
Something is not right here. Something is not being disclosed. People can’t be mandatory isolated for weeks and weeks.
International human rights law, notably the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), requires that restrictions on rights for reasons of public health or national emergency be lawful, necessary, and proportionate. Restrictions such as mandatory quarantine or isolation of symptomatic people must, at a minimum, be carried out in accordance with the law. They must be strictly necessary to achieve a legitimate objective, based on scientific evidence, proportionate to achieve that objective, neither arbitrary nor discriminatory in application, of limited duration, respectful of human dignity, and subject to review.
Broad quarantines and lockdowns of indeterminate length rarely meet these criteria and are often imposed precipitously, without ensuring the protection of those under quarantine – especially at-risk populations. Because such quarantines and lockdowns are difficult to impose and enforce uniformly, they are often arbitrary or discriminatory in application.
Governments should avoid sweeping and overly broad restrictions on movement and personal liberty, and only move towards mandatory restrictions when scientifically warranted and necessary and when mechanisms for support of those affected can be ensured. A letter from more than 800 public health and legal experts in the US stated, “Voluntary self-isolation measures [combined with education, widespread screening, and universal access to treatment] are more likely to induce cooperation and protect public trust than coercive measures and are more likely to prevent attempts to avoid contact with the healthcare system.”
When quarantines or lockdowns are imposed, governments are obligated to ensure access to food, water, health care, and care-giving support. Many older people and people with disabilities rely on uninterrupted home and community services and support. Ensuring continuity of these services and operations means that public agencies, community organizations, health care providers, and other essential service providers are able to continue performing essential functions to meet the needs of older people and people with disabilities. Government strategies should minimize disruption in services and develop contingent sources of comparable services.
A key point above is this section….
Restrictions such as mandatory quarantine or isolation of symptomatic people must, at a minimum, be carried out in accordance with the law. They must be strictly necessary to achieve a legitimate objective, based on scientific evidence, proportionate to achieve that objective, neither arbitrary nor discriminatory in application, of limited duration, respectful of human dignity, and subject to review.
The government is quarantining healthy people not just sick people and are not evolving with the latest science (the mortality rate is now extremely low, there are more successful treatment options available, etc) Is that a violation of human rights law?
The science is also stating this virus is killed by sun exposure, yet people are being forced to stay inside?
Do you not also think many islanders already have had this virus? It is proven to have been in the US at least in January, how many people were coming onto the Island every single day between then and the shutdown? Why is this not being investigated, there is an assumption the Island needs to be isolated from the world (totally unsustainable) without any investigation as to whether that is even necessary? Let’s not forget hurricane season is fast approaching.
Health City hospital that everyone loves having the use of in emergencies makes their income from medical tourism, how long do you think the hospital will last without tourists?
Time to take a step back, stop panicking, acknowledge the costs of their (well meaning, but now out of date) actions, put their heads up to see where the rest of the world is at and rethink the course of action? Wise people are not afraid to amend course with new information.
What I found very concerning was the inability of Dr. Lee to give a time line of when those who have tested positive can actually leave quarantine. Yes I know he mentions two consecutive negative tests. But what happens to someone who does not test negative twice or even once? He admitted that it is not known if that person is infectious or not so they could end up quarantined for a very long time maybe even years assuming a vaccine can be found!
There are thousands people with all kind of infections including tuberculosis, HIV, and many many others who live among us. None is being mandatory isolated.
What is happening here is illegal. In fact, anyone who is forced to isolate past 14 days must contact Cayman human rights commission.
mailto:info@humanrightscommission.ky. Tel. 345-244-3685
Some have been 6 weeks already
This Covid fear/cowardice thing is dumb. Exercise your best hygene practices, be consirate of others, and get on with life.
true…the death rate is not what we have been told. it is much lower. the models were wrong. i understand that people are worried but it is now getting silly. time to open up and protect those who need protection.
This is not Dr. Lee’s fault, but rather just how this virus leaves a lot more to be learned. Read this for more on this phenomenon:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-30/dead-coronavirus-particles-muddy-the-outcome-of-test-results
Cayman needs to build a gulag for anyone who tests positive.
Johnny Lee rocking 7/7.
Yes sir, we saw all that 7/7 stuff.
When you get down to basic logic, the strategy being employed is indefensible.
When you look at well developed countries that did not lock down and compare them to well developed countries that did lock down you will find no rhyme or reason with the statistics. In fact, it appears that the well developed and highly populated countries that did not lock down are in no worse condition and often in better condition than those with strict lockdown policies.
Unless the goal is to isolate the Cayman Islands until such time as a cure or vaccine is available, we are simply postponing the inevitable spread. There’s just no 2 ways about it.
Lockdown until nutritional needs are not met, weakness, immunodeficiency, then in desperation, open up to the rest of the world.
Good points.
I understand that in order to protect those most vulnerable, it is important to minimise contact with others during this period.
I could handle this isolation a lot better if I could jump in the ocean for a swim. I realise it is a tiny thing in the scheme of it, but then again, it is a tiny thing to allow. Huge advantage we have here in Cayman that many other’s don’t is our beautiful sea. Best exercise out there. I understand that there were some issues with people on the beach, and thus the order to clamp down on gatherings at the beach. But can we not allow people to drive to the ocean and swim? Even if it has to be alone, it would really help a lot of people cope.
I can’t infect anyone driving alone in my car. I can’t infect anyone swimming in the sea if alone or keeping distance if with a partner. I can still maintain my good citizenship and support social distancing.
There are a lot of people who would be really grateful for this to open up.
They can’t enforce no gathering on the beach? Ridiculous! Two rcips on duty roaming aimlessly around fosters this morning, but you can’t adequately patrol the beach? It’s absurd.
Beach is a healing place. There’s no life without sun and sea.
A 5000 dollar fine for not social distancing will cure that….this is about power and control and that a handful of selfish, immature and thoughtless impulsive people have ruined it for everyone. it is the same selfish and impulsive idiots who drive like morons.
Might have been an illegal gathering at the beach but blaming it for spread is spreading misinformation. Beach hoax.
Yet still no plan.
Yes there is, didn’t you see the flimsy 10-pager he flashed at the news briefing today. Let’s hope it wasn’t just a fancy cover page and blank inside. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s LA session.
Shiny cover page. Cost probably 2 grand to their P.R. consultants
But why not release now so people can see and comment, contact your MLA if you don’t agree…. Oh that would be a democracy, just like North Korea.
Yes comrade. His hair is looking similar to Kim’s too!
Lol and he made the comment that he couldn’t have done that between this morning’s meeting and the presser. 3 minutes in Publisher
Its on his desk (looks pretty thin tho!) – but for some reason he just cant bear to share it with the rest of us.
Today was more good news however, we have tested less than 2,000 people on the whole island of 60,000 plus population.
please let us be grateful but please do not rush into opening businesses too early. let us spend two weeks testing, testing testing to give us a real reflection of our position and not opening prematurely. I smell Donald trump today. open open open.
slow down folks and test more.
Time for you to leave the building.
You will see, please wait before you judge. Thank you, thank you very much
Oooh, now you got me all shook up
come on . don’t be cruel.
Why, you think I’ll have to do the Jailhouse Rock?
So Elvis from your post I deduce a number of possibilities:
You are working from home
Or you are not employed
Or You have an independent income or are supported by someone who is working
You are an idiot
In two weeks if we continue testing at the current rate the only people tested will probably be “frontline” workers. There could be numerous asymptotic people untested. The virus is with us now if it the same as similar viruses it will never be eradicated, so two weeks achieves nothing.
Please leave the building!
What im saying is test thousands of people across the island. we supposedly have 200,000 test kits some of which we have sold already I hear.
testing 2,000 or so people is a drop in the ocean compared with the population. we have hardly done any tests and we want to unlock???? madness.
sorry mate I value my health. my work situation is irrelevant.
What is the point of all the testing? This thing is making the rounds and will continue to do so. Don’t worry, mortality rate is being shown to be well less than one percent. So wash your hands, cough into your elbow, and try not to be a coward.
I understand privacy but why are we not being told where the positive cases are coming from? The Pines for example, if I had a parent or family member in there I would want to know if their are any positives cases there? He told us that there was one in the HSA but doesn’t want us to know where the positive cases are so that we can avoid those areas or properties..doesn’t make sense. I don’t want to know the names of the persons just where the cases are..
They are within a well defined 76 sq mile radius.
I don’t think it is legal to basically incarcerate people because they test positive.
I don’t think it should be legal to let infected people wander the streets infecting others either.
People with HIV, STD, tuberculosis, flu wander the streets legally.