Antibody testing coming to Cayman

| 15/05/2020 | 62 Comments
CMO Dr John Lee at Friday’s press briefing

(CNS): As he revealed that there was just one more COVID-19 positive case in the Cayman Islands, Chief Medical Officer Dr John Lee said that antibody testing for the novel coronavirus will be introduced here “in the near future”, after Public Health England approved the use of two platforms to do such tests. The Roche system will used by Health City Cayman Islands and the Abbott system will be used by the HSA, he said.

Speaking at Friday’s press briefing, the CMO explained that the immunoglobulin G (IgG) testing that this provides will give a history of whether someone has been infected rather than the current status of a person, so the local health authorities will continue to use the PCR testing to find out current infection rate.

However, while Dr Lee described this as “exciting news”, he did not agree that these tests were critical, explaining that they may only be able to say if someone is immune for a “season”, a period of time that has not even been defined. “But at least it may give us some view as to how many people in the community have been infected,” he said.

Dr Lee said that the antibody tests might also be used in some way when Cayman starts opening up, but would not be used for people coming home to Cayman who have a right to be here.

Outlining current figures for coronavirus in Cayman, he said that the single new positive was from a known contact case.

Testing appears to have outstripped the goal of 450 per day, as Dr Lee announced 558 new test results, 486 of which were done by the HSA and 72 by the CTMH Doctors Hospital. Of the 94 reported cases, nine are symptomatic, 28 are asymptomatic and 54 are recovered. In addition, the two cases who were in hospital for unrelated issues but were positive for COVID-19 have now been released. A total of 5,900 people have so far been tested.

There are currently 59 people in the government isolation facilities, though Dr Lee said that figure was expected to increase with the arrival of more people from Miami today. There are also 104 people currently self-isolating.

See the full press briefing on CIGTV below:


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Comments (62)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    I was deathly ill with Flu at the end of January. I was not hospitalized of course.. It was just the Flu, right? And I am not compromised by any other health issues.
    I would love an antibody test!

  2. Anonymous says:

    I have no doubt that when the antibody tests get here, Alden will be first on the list, and when he finds out he has the antibodies, everything will open up the next day.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Dear Wendy, the Huff Post reports that 18 sailors on a US ship have tested positive after reportedly recovering and only being released after recording two negative tests, meeting “rigorous recovery criteria”. This is the criteria that Cayman has been following. Would you Please ask Dr. Lee if there are any plans to retest individuals that have been release as a result of these developments?

    https://www.yahoo.com/huffpost/theodore-roosevelt-sailors-positive-coronavirus-retest-185838315.html

    • Anonymous says:

      No need. He said we had the same issue here with quarantined individuals testing positive weeks after being isolated, but it was decided they were shedding dead Covid19 cells & not active ones.

  4. Anonymous says:

    Disheartening to read almost 50% of these comments that indicate non thinkers! How will we ever get past this when people are so unconscious???

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  5. Anonymous says:

    What about those of us with peanut allergies?

    • Anonymous says:

      Your parents should have given you peanut butter from 4-6 months to build your immunity. What does antibody testing have to do with that?

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  6. Anonymous says:

    I enjoy steak tartare & sashimi. No cooking required.

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  7. Anonymous says:

    1% of people were ‘infected’ of the 5900 tested. how many deaths? way to go Cayman. Keep staying home and keep digging your own graves.

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  8. Covid Mary says:

    People are desperate. Open up, we’ve got this thing under control. It’s not going anywhere just like us.

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    • M McLaughlin says:

      Great news that the antibodies tests may soon be on the way.

      I hope everyone now understands why testing the entire population without the antibodies test would have been myopic and a waste of financial and human resources.

      It’s good now that people will know that they may have the antibodies before having to take the coming government mandated vaccine which is being developed, what they’re not going to tell and what they can never disprove is that there has never been a vaccine successfully created for a respiratory infectious disease.

      When your asked to take the vaccine, remember to ask them if there’s a vaccine for MERS and SARS yet? The answer wiil be NO.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Umm – your premise is that no virus has been developed for MERS or SARS – true- but you are saying that means you shouldn’t take a vaccine developed for COVID. Isn’t your argument that a vaccine won’t be developed – because saying you shouldn’t take a vaccine that hasn’t been developed makes no sense at all.

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        • M McLaughlin says:

          3:48pm The Covid-19 has already mutated into 30 different variants and scientists cant even make a reliable seasonal flu vaccine.

          You believe the public should put any faith in this vaccine?

          My point was clear, I’ll say it now in a way that a 5 year could understand. if they couldn’t manufacture a vaccine for the previous generations of Caronaviruses, what leads you to believe they will this time around?

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          • Anonymous says:

            If that was your point why did you say “When your asked to take the vaccine, remember to ask them if there’s a vaccine for MERS and SARS yet?” How can you be asked to take it if there isn’t one. Agree with you there won’t be one, but that’s not what you said.

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          • Anonymous says:

            I don’t agree with most of your far right agenda posts but this I agree with you on.

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          • Anonymous says:

            Corvid 19 is not the flu, and the mutations are minor. You will also find most people will have the strain that came from Europe to the US.
            The flu mutates a great deal more than COVID.
            Why does everyone want to compare with flu, it is a completely different strain of virus, like comparing an elephant with a clam

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            • M McLaughlin says:

              Thanks for making my point, it mutates so this means the virus’ genome sequencing is constantly changing and this is a BIG problem in producing a vaccine that actually works? By time this testing phase is over, the vaccine may not work in 18 to 24 months. #Facts

              Finally the comparison to the flu was only to show the difficulty scientists have in producing a flu vaccine for the correct strain of the seasonal flu annually. Tough task and I wish them luck.

      • Anonymous says:

        Yeah like I’m going to take vaccine advice from someone who can’t spell you’re.

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        • M McLaughlin says:

          Grammar cops are always perfect! Make sure you and your family take the vaccine when it comes.👍

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  9. Anonymous says:

    They have ruined these islands. Flatten the curve has become find a cure. Soup kitchens growing by the day and tent cities will follow. Soon come 2 months of lockdown. Save lives to ruin many offers. It is shameful. Do they plan to keep the island closed until there is a vaccine?

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  10. Anonymous says:

    Take care of your health, that’s better then testing or washing your hands or sanitizing the entire planet.

    Boost the immune system,
    Plant base Diet (Cut Mucus and pus forming foods)
    Super foods to heal.
    Coffee enemas and herbs to cleanse the body.

    Do what animals do, we are fruitarians in nature.

    Stay Safe, but even better, Stay Conscious

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    • Anonymous says:

      Washing hands is one of the first basic health lessons you learn as a child, animals are always cleaning themselves.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Get lost!
      Meat heals.
      Fear kills.
      Health (immune system) decline starts with stress and worry.
      Constant hands washing harms your health and environment.
      Super things that heal are not superfood, but sun, clean water and air.
      Coffee enemas and herbs are medicine, not something that should be used daily.
      We are not animals.
      Animals that eat grass have four-chamber stomach, which allows them to consume and metabolize the nutrients in grass. We humans do not have such stomachs.
      And you lost me with “fruitarians” 🤯.

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      • Anonymous says:

        4:39 agreed but biologically we are still animals. Homo sapiens are animals. Smart animals but animals none the less..

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      • Anonymous says:

        we are not animals because some animals have four chamber stomach????????????pls be a troll.

    • Anonymous says:

      Coffee enemas? OMG what an idiot. I hope you would stand by your beliefs if you get so sick with Covid you need to go into hospital. Do insist the Drs don’t give you any of that scientific medicine, and just waft your room with burning sage to ‘cure’ you. Stop spouting your dangerous advice and trust in science, not superstition.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Before you assume, learn the facts. Before you judge, understand why. Before you hurt someone, feel. Before you speak, think.

        When you do not understand someone’s perspective often times what they say sometimes sounds a bit ‘bizarre’ to you.

        Simply because you cannot find a study that ‘proves’ something, does not mean it is not factual – it simply tells us the subject or specifics have not been adequately studied yet.

        Perhaps instead of simply calling BS because you don’t believe in something, or because it does not jive with their limited perspective, you should do some research, or ask some questions. You’ll learn far more by asking than by telling.

        I am not the original commenter. His comment is fear based and I don’t agree with everything. However he is right, coffee enemas and herbs are part of many treatments programs including Gerson Therapy™.

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      • Anonymous says:

        Is that with milk and sugar..? Espresso or Cappuccino do the trick consumed the old fashioned way, ?

    • Anonymous says:

      I’ve never ever seen an animal giving themselves a coffee enema! Wash your hands and please stay at least 6ft away from anyone!

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      • Anonymous says:

        Regular or decaf? Do I need to let it cool first? Milk and sugar? I’m more a tea drinker so sorry for all the questions!

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        • Anonymous says:

          Please please wash your hands after your coffee enema!

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        • Anonymous says:

          It is only funny to you because you have no idea what you are laughing about. It is part of Gerson Therapy™.
          Over the past 70 years, thousands of people have used the Gerson Therapy™ to recover from chronic degenerative diseases and cancers.
          2 licensed clinics: one in Tijuana, Mexico and one in Europe-Budapest, Hungary.

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          • Anonymous says:

            and how many millions have the people behind this crap earned, google it not a single study has ever proved its worked. Placebo effect does work to a degree but my best friends Mum was following this for her Cancer. She gave up all conventional medicine and felt great and was doing really well until she died less then 3 months later. if she had gone for the surgery and chemo she probebly should have survived.

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          • Anonymous says:

            In my family and circle of friends, four have been to the clinic in Tijusna for treatment.
            None of them made it past 5 months. Tens of thousands spent on the Gerson Therspy.

    • Jotnar says:

      Fruitarians in nature? Hence the canine teeth, right? Omnivores in nature, fruitarians, vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian by choice (supported in the more extreme diet cases by artificially manufactured vitamin supplements and man made foods like tofu which don’t exist in nature).

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    • Anonymous says:

      Pepsi work better. Can use for douche too

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      • Anonymous says:

        I prefer Coke Zero

      • Anonymous says:

        Yeah humans are animals, what else do you think we are?

        Yes humans the only ‘animal’ that cooks their foods. What other animal cooks their food?

        Raw meat is healthy, we cook our meat because it’s poision for our bodies to digest.

        We don’t have K9 Teeth, how would you kill and animal in nature with you bare hands? Because that’s what god gave us.

        Perfect food is fruits, if you can’t figure that out by now with the internet.

        Enjoy your life of sickness.

        Wash your hands but touch your phone, touch your cloths touch your car door touch everything.
        It’s impossible to live like a biological fall out. Which I have been trained in to do so.

        My advice isn’t dangerous.

        Go see your doctor and get more pharmaceutical drugs and tell me eating plants and going back to nature is dangerous.

        Society has deluded us on real healing.

        Fruit is the perfect digestive food for humans. So tell me what can you eat BEFORE you cook it?

        Because we have to cook foods because their not actually edible to us naturally.

        Than you take spices and herbs to make it tasty.

        I know what I am talking about.

        You will see my around in the community and know who I am.

        Stay Safe

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    • Anonymous says:

      When can I stop by for a coffee?

    • Anonymous says:

      I apologize to 8:17 for being curt in my response (4:39am). Your well intentioned and good hearted comment has merits, even though I don’t agree with everything. I shouldn’t have taken my own frustrations out on you.

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    • Anonymous says:

      Not better than testing or washing hands but as opinions go you were ok until the coffee enemas! Freaking weirdo!

  11. Anonymous says:

    What am I supposed to do? I have no income. Haven’t had any for months. I have no hope. I watched today’s briefing with great anticipation. I thought I might be able to go back to work. Nope, nothing just self important smug pols. So now what do I do? So depressed. I want to die.

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    • Anonymous says:

      @7.12pm Hi. What can we do to help, please keep posting messages to talk, we are listening.

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    • Anonymous says:

      If you are for real, Get outside!!!!!!

      Natural light stimulates serotonin synthesis. there is a relationship between serotonin and hours of sunlight. High exposure to sunlight results in greater dopamine receptor availability, which implies that there is a higher chance of successful dopamine release. dopamine as a pleasure or reward neurotransmitter. The brain releases dopamine during pleasurable activities.

      It looks like you have no social support. Families not always can provide such support. Start volunteering, delivering food for needy for example. You won’t be hungry, will meet new people in the same situation and most importantly it would get you out of the house. If you love animals, volunteer at the shelter.

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    • anonymous says:

      Please reach out to someone on the help lines. Things are starting to get better so please hang in there. Get help for food from NAU.

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    • Berto says:

      Please stay positive. This will pass and better day are always ahead. There are plenty of community funded organizations ready to help. God bless.

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  12. Anonymous says:

    7k tests out of 200k used in 1.5 months. Please don’t tell the generous lady about her donation

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  13. Anonymous says:

    In the near future, like 2022…

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  14. Anonymous says:

    I think my children’s only hope is for me to die, and collect my life insurance. We have nothing left. I cannot pay our rent, our utilities. I have been unemployed since March. I had savings, but it is all gone now. I watched today’s briefing just praying that our Government would open up small retail. They did not. Alden just looked smug and fat, and self important. So crying every night. This is not right! And what they are saying about places that have opened up all dying and such is inaccurate. Georgia in the states opened everything, and they are not having more cases. It doesn’t matter. They have money, and I do not. So I will die, and my children will suffer.

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    • Anonymous says:

      @6:32 I’m so sorry for your suffering. What can we do to help? Please keep fighting for your kids, they need you.

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    • Anonymous says:

      This is such a tough situation, and you are not alone. Can you reach out to your church? What about through your children’s school or I have seen articles listing community based organizations? Of course there is the government, I assume you know what they might have available to help during these difficult times. You can make it through.

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    • Anonymous says:

      ALDEN, READ THIS!!!!! 6.32PM

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    • Anonymous says:

      Go down to the needs assessment unit as soon as possible. Don’t leave until they assist you! Please someone help the families who are on the verge of starving if not already.

      CIG, please stop stating how many you have helped and advise how many are left to be helped! CIG, we have no excuse for anyone starving here or suffering.

      Please stop this madness before it gets out of hand…before people die of starvation and civil unrest where violence breaks out due to people’s desperation!!!!

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      • Anonymous says:

        Only a fool would starve in Grand Cayman. There are loads of people giving out food. I thought utilities wouldn’t be cut off. If you’re not working, the best plan would be to just pay rent or ask your landlord for reduced rent. Food is available from the soup kitchens, utilities can be paid later. Whatever isn’t open now will be open in 2 weeks. Since you’ve already spent your savings, you should go to NAU.

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