252 negative COVID-19 tests, active cases fall to 6

| 02/07/2020 | 35 Comments
Cayman News Service
Flu Clinic at the George Town hospital

(CNS): Test results this week continued on a welcome trend on Thursday when Chief Medical Officer Dr John Lee had no new positive cases of COVID-19 to report. And with most of the individuals testing positive recovering, there are now just six active cases here in people who are asymptomatic. Meanwhile, with the lack of demand, health officials are closing the flu clinics this weekend.

So far this week there have been five positive cases of the coronavirus recorded in the Cayman Islands from 1,664 tests. Two of them were samples taken from people returning to Cayman from overseas and the other three cases were picked up via the community screening programme.

The positive tally in Cayman for COVID-19 cases is now 201. Just one person who had the disease died and 194 people have fully recovered. As part of a mass testing programme, health officials have done 24,321 tests, illustrating that the virus is not widespread in the community.

Only around a dozen people have required hospital treatment for the virus and just a handful of people needed intensive care. The only fatality recorded in Cayman was ‘patient zero’, a cruise passenger who arrived with the virus and was taken to Health City for serious cardiac health problems.

After the pandemic arrived in Cayman and the lockdown measures were imposed, there was a brief flurry of people attending one of the flu clinics or needing treatment for COVID-19. And given the continued decline in demand from patients seeking treatment for COVID-like symptoms, the Health Services Authority (HSA) will close the clinics in Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac from Saturday, 4 July.

Since the clinics opened in February, they have seen more than 1,500 patients in Grand Cayman and over 75 in Cayman Brac.

“When the virus was at its peak locally, this was a much-needed service to contain the potential spread of the virus and provide residents the treatment they needed,” said Dr Samuel Williams-Rodriguez, Director of Primary Healthcare at the HSA.

“But as the situation in the Cayman Islands continues to improve with the reopening of all healthcare services, patients can be seen by their regular health practitioner,” he added.

HSA Chief Executive Officer Lizzette Yearwood said health staff, including those in the private sector, had worked tirelessly at the flu clinic and the flu hotline since February to provide care and guidance to the population as part of the national efforts to curb the spread.

“It is the work of these front-line heroes that have contributed to the reduction in the suppression levels, reopening of the economy and the outcomes achieved by the government in lowering transmission and I couldn’t be prouder of the work they have done in keeping our community safe and healthy,” she added.

HSA services have all returned to normal and patients can contact the various clinics to reschedule or book new appointments, particularly those who may have put off important tests, procedures and screenings due to the pandemic.

“We want to reassure the community that we have implemented a range of initiatives to further enhance our infection control, patient safety and environment care and the public can feel safe returning to the HSA as their destination for care,” Yearwood said.

People experiencing flu or respiratory symptoms, including fever, cough or shortness of breath, can also seek care at the Acute Care Clinic in the George Town General Practice Building or the Accident and Emergency Department, which is open 24/7 in Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac.

The HSA’s 24-hour Flu Hotline will remain operational and people with flu-like symptoms should call 1-800-534-8600 or 947-3077 prior to going to Accident & Emergency. Professionals will be available to provide advice and direct persons to the appropriate care and resources.


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Category: Health, Medical Health

Comments (35)

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  1. Heathcare Systems failure says:

    From the despicable display of stupidity from overseas places who opened over the weekend who no doubt will suffer now with a huge spike keep our borders closed shut! its funny how the “lesser people” appear to have a more common sense approach to this pandemic. No body is playing God but what some seem to think the threat of death is the only threat pose to them when it is clear that the virus has long standing and serious effects even after you recover from it. This no doubts put their hocus pocus tRump herd theory in the garbage.If your sick you ain’t going to be able WORK!!!

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  2. Anonymous says:

    I think it’s too soon to open the borders completely, but Government needs to get the quarantine mess sorted out ASAP so that second home owners can come and residents can move at least somewhat freely back and forth if they need to or choose to. This sort of limited movement can be well controlled and a good test before opening up more fully. Home isolation makes way more sense, but if that won’t be allowed then get organized so that people can come from places other than the UK.

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  3. Anonymous says:

    Open the borders! Apart from flights from the USA. I want to see my family in Europe and not get financially ruined coming back.

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    • Anonymous says:

      We all wish things weren’t the way they were. I have family and friends abroad I’d like to see, too. But we’ve done a great job and keeping COVID-19 down here and we’re not going to lose that just so people can go on holiday. Suck it up and realise this could be much worse – and is in many parts of the world on a daily basis, year in and year out. Realise that we’re all very privileged here, and don’t be a spoiled whiner.

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    • Hubert says:

      We should open the borders to direct flights from Toronto, Canada on September 1.

      Canada has broken the curve by being smart unlike buffoon Trump and the dumb Governor in Florida who still does not get it.

      We need a slow opening to Canada and maybe EU countries in September.

      https://www.cnn.com/videos/health/2020/07/03/Canada-flattens-coronavirus-curve-newton-newday-vpx.cnn

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      • McCarron McLaughlin says:

        Canada allowed 81% of Caronaviruses deaths to occur in nursing homes, stop spewing bs! Keep relying on CNN for your news, keep on sucking up their koolaid.

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        • Hubert says:

          But even with the 81% of nursing home deaths in Canada the deaths in Canada are very low compared to all the major American states.

    • Anonymous says:

      What if we did open the borders up and we end up having one of our own die from this? How would you feel? I guess it’s fine as long as you can get off the island to go on holiday and it’s not someone you know right?
      I would love to holiday too, but we’re so lucky here in Cayman at the moment and I would definitely be willing to keep things safe to keep you safe and I don’t even like you!

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  4. Anonymous says:

    I’d not be surprised to see our borders remain closed as currently until next year. How can we possibly allow flights from USA in particular without effective testing/quarantine/isolation vacation options, etc. As for the cruise ships – be happy never to see the mega ships back at all, try to focus on the smaller, high end ones. Imagine our roads and beaches never going back to the pre-covid times?

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    • Anonymous says:

      Next year for the USA for sure but certain countries could be allowed depending on how they have been able to control the virus.

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      • BeaumontZodecloun says:

        The thing that seems important to me is not how various countries have controlled the virus, but our own responses if/when we open our borders. What systems are currently in place to mitigate CV transfer and infection?

        Think about the actual hands-on testing and quarantine processes, regardless of the country of origin. It seems overwhelming to me. I don’t believe we have the ability to control and influx of tourism right now, and where are they going to go if they do get here? Yep. To all the high-density locations all around the island.

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  5. Anonymous says:

    If only that money wasted on the failed port could have been put to better use as an economic stimulus for those living here.

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  6. Anonymous says:

    From CNN this morning

    There are at least 152 Covid-19 cases currently linked to a bar in East Lansing, Michigan, Amanda Darche, public information officer for the Ingham Health Department, tells CNN.

    On Tuesday, 107 cases were linked to the Harper’s Restaurant & Brew Pub. Health officials asked anyone who visited the establishment June 12 and June 20 to self-quarantine, CNN has reported.

    The 152 current cases include “128 primary cases and 24 secondary cases,” Darche says. Secondary cases are people who were infected but did not visit Harper’s Restaurant and Brewpub.

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    • Anonymous says:

      What’s that got to do with the price of fish?

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      • Anonymous says:

        I didn’t write the original post, but… we’re opening the bars in two weeks. The bar flies aren’t known to be the most responsible people. If Cayman is going to see a spike in cases, it will come then – just like it has elsewhere.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Let’s hope by then the cases have burnt themselves out. Cause you’re right, all the raging alcoholics who think they’re the star of the bar invading everyone’s space and laughing and spitting all over the place. Gross, even if not for Covid germs!

      • Hubert says:

        7:13, It proves that buffoon Trump’s public health policies are still NOT / NOT working. We need to keep Americans off island until Americans get their act together, however, Canada and EU have now broken the curve so suggest starting September 1, we allow direct flights from Toronto and tourists in from Canada.

        https://www.cnn.com/videos//health/2020/07/03/canada-flattens-coronavirus-curve-newton-newday-vpx.cnn

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  7. Anonymous says:

    With these astonishing results the Gov still cant give us back our Rum Point on the weekends.

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  8. Anonymous says:

    I agree, so do I! HSA really stepped up here a long with the Frontline workers; EMTs/Paramedics, doctors, nurses, etc….

    They were all commendable.

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  9. Anonymous says:

    Well done (most of you)!

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  10. Anonymous says:

    I see dead people

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  11. Anonymous says:

    I have to say cig did do a very good job at making sure this virus didn’t break out badly here. I have to give credit where it’s due. 👏👏

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    • Anonymous says:

      So far, so good, but just wait until 2-3 weeks after the bars open. Then comes the decision on when to open the airport – and to whom and under what procedure. The situation in the U.S. is getting dire.

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      • Anonymous says:

        In some parts of the US. It is dire. In some parts of the US, the numbers are in decline.

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        • Anonymous says:

          In Florida, Texas, Southern California and Arizona you now have a health catastrophe unfolding before your eyes.

          Do not open up to America but Canada and the EU yes.

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        • Anonymous says:

          Yeah, but those aren’t the parts where we get the majority of flights.

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        • An Angry American says:

          We now have a situation where in most parts of the USA the situation is dire. Florida, Texas, Arizona and Southern California are now public health disasters. Trump learned nothing from EU countries and Canada and is now leading us into a health abyss. What a fool. America is dying.

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          • Anonymous says:

            It really has fallen hasn’t it? Shame it used to be such a desired passport to have, not now that’s for sure.

    • Anonymous says:

      I have no idea how to take apart an engine. Do you use a sledgehammer?

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