1,000+ in local isolation as vaccine approved in UK
(CNS): There were no new cases of COVID-19 in Wednesday’s batch of 147 test results, as the number of people now in isolation jumped to 1,074. But as the virus takes its toll the world over, hope is in sight as the UK has become the first country to approve the Pfizer vaccine against the coronavirus. 800,000 doses are on their way to Britain, which has promised to deliver some of them to its overseas territories as soon as possible.
Last week Governor Martyn Roper told CNS that the Cayman Islands will receive some doses of this first Pfizer vaccine. This allayed fears that the OTs would have to wait for one of the vaccines being worked on in the UK, such as the Astrazeneca jab, to receive approval from the UK authorities before the territories would get stocks of a COVID-19 vaccine.
As a result Cayman can expect to receive a small number of this first cleared Pfizer vaccine in the coming weeks before we get more significant numbers likely from a range of approved vaccines next year.
As is the case in all countries, once Cayman receives the first batch of these vaccines, it is expected that healthcare workers will be the first to get vaccinated, then vulnerable individuals and then the elderly.
While Cayman has fared exceptionally well compared to many other countries, the vaccine will still come as a welcome relief, paving the way for the eventual safe reopening of the tourism sector later next year.
Meanwhile, until all Caymanians have access to the vaccine and protocols are in place for arriving visitors to have had the shots before coming here, the government appears to be sticking with the quarantine and home isolation programme.
There are 27 people with the virus currently in isolation, four of whom are symptomatic, though none have been admitted to the hospital.
See Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his team announce the approval and pending arrival of the Pfizer vaccine below:
Category: Health, Medical Health
So Cayman’s plan is to reopen when everyone is vaccinated? I don’t think the economy will be alive by then. To bad you can’t be vaccinated against ignorance.
I will take the vaccine when Alden,Roper,Lee and Seymour take on live TV some will no doubt run to their bubble sphere in Cayman Brac.
Just a random question, but how many ‘front line workers’ do we have, how many vulnerable people? I think I can find out how many over 80 from the stats office. Just trying to figure out how many vaccines are going to be needed…I haven’t heard of anyone putting together a big list of those that might need it, or an idea of how many people will actually take the shot. Bermuda has said they will get enough for everyone, that may just be political bluster, but it would be nice to know. Are we realistically going to be treading water until June next year, or March, or another year?
I am very pro-vaccination BUT there is no way I’m taking a vaccine that was slapped together in just a few months of research. Nope. Not happening.
I’ll continue to be in preventative mode by wearing my mask, social distancing, washing/sanitizing my hands and keeping up with my vitamins. Hopefully, I won’t catch it but, if I do, hopefully I’ll recover well like all my friends have done.
Alden should be and better be first in line!
why…what previous vaccine has caused issues?
if scientists and doctors are happy to take it why would you not?
I’m not sure if you’re being sarcastic but just in case you’re not, read up on the first Polio vaccine.
what year was that?
do you honestly think it would be released if not safe?….think of the liability issues.
anyway go back to ur youtube nonsense…
Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers in the US are exempt from liability.
AstraZeneca from the UK is said to be exempt as well.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-astrazeneca-results-vaccine-liability-idUSKCN24V2EN
Moron
You are irresponsible, stupid and very selfish, it is this kind of misinformed ignorance that will eventually lead to someone dying of COVID in Cayman
What do we know so far?
* The virus is very contagious if you are in the same small room or enclosed area with a person who has active covid and he talks to you, sneezes or coughs in your face.
* Asymptotic positive are contagious, but not all. According to Fauci some fragments of the virus are so small, no virus culture could be obtained.
* Based on my family experience, who have been flying long distances, changing planes, long layovers at airports, air travel does not automatically means getting infected. None of them got infected. They have been through Miami, Barcelona, Turkey, Canada, various US airports and airlines.
* Another family is living in a state where nearly everyone drives a car, weren’t flying, were using masks and distancing, yet all got infected by a family member who continued working. All recovered, even the 85yo, the one they all tried to protect. She spent 5 days in a hospital for she started showing symptoms of blood clots forming. Timing is everything, so she received treatments and oxygen, no intubation.
What conclusion do we make based on such different outcomes for different people? It all depends, probably, on individual’s genetic makeup, age and current state of health. It is also very important that hospital treating covid patients has an experienced team of physicians, nurses and medical equipment technicians.
By now, most hospitals work like a well oiled machine when it comes to treating Covid patients. Treatment protocols are established, new treatments added without delays, as soon as they are approved and available.
Still people die. People with cancer, cardiovascular and other chronic diseases, people whose bodies reject established treatments for unknown reasons. Prednisone for example is an excellent anti inflammatory medicine. Yet, large percentage of people genetically not responding to it in an expected way.
What does this all mean for Cayman? What should it focus on, today, 12 months into the pandemic, having treated a handful of covid patients? I believe that main focus must be on covid treating hospital teams. They must stay current on treatment protocols with daily updates, and get hands on experience, perhaps in Florida on a rotating basis. Respiratory technicians must have an extensive and ongoing practice.
Despite all preventative measures taken, the virus is the virus and it is smarter than we are. Having an experienced team of covid treating experts should lower covid anxiety that is very high in Cayman.
CNS: Another way to tackle the virus is to educate the population so that they take it seriously. This will help encourage people to seek medical help when they first get sick and not wait until they go to hospital to die, and in countries where it is not contained to wear masks, wash hands, keep socially distant, protect the vulnerable, etc.
Thank you CNS. YOurs is an almost hopeless task as there is no cure for stupid.
Why stupid? Did you really read the comment? Or you feel much better about yourself calling others stupid every time you comment?
CNS just reaffirmed what was said in the comment-seek treatment if you get sick, for you never know how the infection will progress. Having an experienced team of doctors is essential. Nothing stupid is being said.
Agree. People in high risk category must go to the hospital right away because one day can make all the difference. New treatments can stop the progression of the virus before it inflicts too much (or any) damage. If you are afraid of being put on a ventilator, you have the right to refuse. As everyone already knows ventilating covid patients is the last resort. Make sure doctors know your allergies and drugs intolerances. It usually runs in families. if your parents or children had severe adverse reaction to any medicine, tell this to your doctor, for chances are you might be intolerant as well. (Judging on my family experience. We learned it the hard way, for initially it was rejected as BS. )
Perhaps people would like to know where Cayman doctors stand in terms of treating Covid. In States, media/hospitals provide regular updates on new treatments: which hospitals receive it and when.
“..it is smarter than we are. ”
Smarter than you are, I will grant you that.
The US has released its Coronavirus Vaccine Record Card and the WHO is looking at having an electronic Vaccine Record Card. What is Cayman doing in that regard?
John John, could you tell us ?
In English, please.
9:59, We are closed till early 2022 so no need to do anything soon.
The Cayman way.
Do we have the equipment to store the vaccine at -84C?.
I keep my beer that temperature, so yes.
10.15am I assume you have a full set of teeth along with powerful jaws.
wow…you like frozen beer?
you are the best!
don’t ask awkward questions!
The vaccine that would make the most sense to send here, Oxford-Astra Zeneca, does not need to be kept in extreme cold.
But that is not the one that the CMO said we were going to get – it’s the Pzifer one.
We don’t deal with facts on this island!
That is not what was said in today’s UK press conference Mr Roper The 800,000 are for UK and initial jab and booster. How is Cayman getting vaccine in next few coming weeks? And why should they, people in Uk need it more… Nobody sick here or in hospital from Covid! Secret supply….for over 60 drunkard politicians ?
Well most of the MLAs – oops sorry MPs – are high risk groups given age, obesity and lifestyle.
Some people imported a tale here about a man who split an ocean with a stick because a talking snake convinced a woman to eat an 🍏 apple.
Many still believe it
Some people imported a tale here of vaccines having mind control chips in them
Many believe that too
Will Caymanians vaccinate enough to achieve heard immunity? It won’t be forced so at what threshold do we open the gates and say lol good luck to the rest? 50%,75%?
10.30 Have you heard that a lot of the herd can’t spell.
I think you mean over 1000 in quarantine (not isolation).
How are so many people in isolation? Doubt they are all essential travellers.
1000+ is far too many. We can be sure that no one is monitoring even a fraction of that number.
The number of people flying in is ridiculous and Caymanians can’t get back home. We should only allow locals in. No more tourists who don’t care if they spread the virus and no more people doing party trips to Miami
You cannot tell persons with access to private places what to do. At least not on this island.
You approve it for yourself. You do not approve it for me. No invasive procedures are permitted without consent. Pathetic bullying over something over-hyped by control-freak governments who love to lord their perceived power over us.
So deadly, you have to be tested to find out if you have it and even if you do, ignoring flawed tests, you have a 99.9% survival chance.
This whole thing stinks to high heaven and it all starts at the top and the bullshit trickles down from there.
Taking the vaccine is not just about preventing yourself from getting infected. This virus needs vectors to transmit the disease from person to person. We have to break the chain of infection by reducing the number of potential vectors. As we know, persons can be infected and be asymptomatic vectors transmitting the virus to the vulnerable.
I will be taking the vaccine just as soon as I can. This is not about self preservation but about eradicating a disease that would probably not kill me but may kill someone else.
Cayman has been sheltered from the effects of Covid seen elsewhere in the world. Perhaps if we had experienced the pain and suffering of losing loved ones to the virus, we would be less likely to dismiss the vaccine.
Oh stop it. Your logic is flawed. Take your vaccine. My “vector” is none of your business. After all, you will be protected.
Let me continue to eat well and exercise daily. I have not even had a flu in years.