Officials report ‘non-breach’ COVID-19 contact

| 22/06/2021 | 92 Comments

(CNS): Public Health officials have released a limited statement revealing what they described as a non-breach contact between a traveller in quarantine and a resident last Friday. The officials said that contact tracing and testing had been conducted and all the impacted individuals had been placed in isolation and measures for public safety had been taken. The statement said there was no risk to the public but gave no other details relating to what had happened.

Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr Eryka Simmons said she wanted to thank the Cayman public for their vigilance and continued efforts in keeping the islands safe.

It is not clear if this was related to the patient who is currently in the Critical Care Unit who had been isolating at home before becoming ill. There were no updates about the status of the patient on Tuesday in the latest testing and vaccine information.

Public Health officials said there were no new cases of the coronavirus. There are currently 18 active cases of the virus among travellers in quarantine and isolation. Three people are showing symptoms, including the patient admitted to hospital.

With the vaccine clinic now offering first shots, just under 400 people got their first dose over the last day, which means that 67% of the estimated population of 71,100 has begun the vaccine course and 59% have had both doses.

Meanwhile, the results of Friday’s vaccine prize draw are now available. 168 lucky people have won prizes in the Ministry of Tourism’s Vaccine Challenge. The top prize in the giveaway was a $12,000 fully installed 6.24 KW Home Solar System donated by Affordable Solar Ltd, which was won by Sachina Nembhard-Clark.

Prizes will be available for collection at the Government Administration Building foyer this Thursday and Friday, 24-25 June, 9am-noon and 2-4pm. Prize winners must present their photo ID and vaccination card showing they were vaccinated between 8 May and 9 June in order to claim the prize. The prizes are non-exchangeable, non-transferable and no cash alternatives will be offered. Prizes will not be delivered.

See full list of Vaccine Challenge prize winners


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Category: Health, Medical Health

Comments (92)

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  1. Andy Cornbread says:

    Yes Sheriff and Italy will very shortly have to do what Israel is doing right now to try and contain the Delta variant aaah but the open up bullies and their self serving agenda and denial of the facts has been put to the sword yet again! Those who can take this vaccine need to take it because it is the most effective against it at this point in time. The open up folks want absolutely no pre testing nor quarantine inconvenient conditions put on them whatsoever just because they foolishly believe the vaccine stops the spread which is obviously not true it stops you from dying from the virus or getting it’s severe symptoms. Them crying about having quarantine with their very own offspring says it all about who and what they are.

    • Anonymous says:

      Open the border!

    • STX says:

      Andy – I an not trying to sound like a jerk. Could I ask you why in the USA is basically everything open? No mask, No social distancing, and no delta whatever – it is just like pre-pandemic except you will see a few people here and there wearing masks. We are going to restaurants, bars, parties, and sporting events (with tens of thousands of people) – and a vaccine rate lower than CI. Why are we not seeing anything of the sort?

  2. Sheriff says:

    I think Italy should give Cayman a call and explain this reopening thing:

    https://www.cntraveler.com/story/us-tourists-can-now-travel-to-italy-without-quarantining

  3. Anonymous says:

    False alarm. Govt stated that the winners from among those who entered their names in the draw would be announced. If you did not want your data announced/exposed then you should not have entered by dropping your name in the box.

  4. Anonymous says:

    UNvaccinated person ends up ill. Personal choice at play.

    • Anonymous says:

      Who says that this was a personal choice…you do realize that some individuals are not able to be vaccinated? Also what about the children who cannot be vaccinated?

      • Anonymous says:

        Children who are under 12 and cannot be vaccinated are not working jobs.. because they’re children.

        • Anonymous says:

          This is the dumbest comment. Yes, children don’t work jobs but they go to school. They are still vulnerable to this virus and spreading it.

    • Anonymous says:

      The pro-vax bullies are rampant in these islands, most of whom are foreign! Not everyone is eligible to take the vaccine and I am tired of seeing all of the bullying taking place just because someone’s choice is different from yours. Those of you who are vaccinated, why attack the medically vulnerable, get on with your lives? If your vaccine “works” what is the problem. You will be fine, no? Who is really being selfish? The vaccines will not return the “normal” we knew pre-pandemic so we need to all try to be kind and understanding of others instead of hateful.

      • Anonymous says:

        People know the vaccine works but the problem is that they cannot get on with life because CIG is determined to keep the borders closed until they can somehow persuade enough people to get the jab so we reach 70 or 80% or whatever the number is this week.

        I do not think for one second anyone is criticizing those who cannot get vaccinated for legitimate medical reason. Just the opposite. Getting vaccinated means that you are helping to protect those people because you are much less likely to catch or spread covid.

        • Only logic says:

          We are less likely to spread it through strict quarantine procedures. There was no community spreading way way before we even had word of a vaccine and, we don’t need any in the community spreading now just because a few Karens with their proud jabs demand we open the border to cater to their needs.

      • Anonymous says:

        We are annoyed because we cannot ‘get on with our lives’ due to ignorance and bureaucracy. If you have a legitimate reason for not getting vaccinated then we should be your heroes. Because our immunization protects you. So I think you have no legitimate reason not to be vaccinated. Unless you consider ignorance, selfishness and arrogance legitimate.

      • Anonymous says:

        “Not everyone is eligible to take the vaccine” and “just because someone’s choice is different” are two different groups of people.

        The latter, as you mentioned, are making a choice. The issue is their choice puts the former group at risk.

        Listen, I can empathize with people wanting medical freedom. But we need to have discussions where we acknowledge that this is debate on choices, not medical issues.

        I don’t claim to know the answer here. Both points of view are valid. Hopefully we won’t conclude this pandemic by dividing us against our neighbours.

        I will share a verse that I personally feel we should take to heart.

        “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” – Philippians 2:4

  5. Anonymous says:

    The world has really moved on. No one is locked down or quarantined anymore. People are going to large concerts and sporting events. People are traveling. Everything is open…. well, except….

    • Anonymous says:

      You are clearly not doing your research if you think everywhere is open. Maybe in the batshit crazy USA, but many places around the world have gone into multiple lockdowns and still have measures in place…sensible places that is.

      • Anonymous says:

        You mean the country where you go on vacation twice a year right!

        • Anonymous says:

          You realize that not everyone in Cayman has to urge to go to the US right? I mean I know they do not teach you all a lot outside of US “history”, never met people so globally inept than Americans. However, it is a big world out there with many places to go that are NOT the USA. I prefer broadening my horizons 🙂

        • Anonymous says:

          Or the country that actually invented the only vaccines that work. Funny how such haters neither acknowledge that fact nor take the Russian, Cuban, Chinese or local vaccine. Hypocrites to the core.

          • Anonymous says:

            Lol what local vaccine? Cayman did not develop a vaccine.

          • Anonymous says:

            What are you trying to say? That non American vaccines are ineffective? Or that we shouldn’t trust vaccines? Very confusing. What we do know is that many countries threw billions of dollars at this problem to get it done in record time. And that we have safe and effective vaccines. Four at least, that save lives. Only fools refuse to take them.

        • Anonymous says:

          No, unlike you lot who think the US is the be all end all. I travel else where and you sure as hell would not catch me in the US more than once. Avoid that place like the plague.

        • Anonymous says:

          You may only know how to buy tickets to MURICA but I certainly know other places where you can go and not get shot just because of your skin colour.

      • STX says:

        Oh yeah, crazy…we got the vaccine and we opened up…stark raving mad if you ask me. Who would have thought you could do that? LOL

    • Anonymous says:

      Instead of whining like a child, you can take action: Move to a place that hosts your precious concerts and for which you have less contempt. It’s really easy to be proactive for you! Happy trails!

      • Anonymous says:

        Instead of bit..ing as a dictatorial gerontocrat whose only goal is to survive at any cost, you can take an action: move into your closet, so younger generations could start living.

    • Anonymous says:

      7:52 Wrong. France, Poland, Italy, Hungary, Belgium, Philippines, Kenya, etc. all have some form of restrictions and have gone into lock-down more than once. Some are gaining back some semblance of “normalcy” but to say that Covid is a thing of the past, the world has moved on, and no one has any restrictions or lock downs is a downright lie.

      https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1381458/Europe-lockdown-full-list-of-countries-currently-in-lockdown-EVG

      https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/from-france-to-kenya-heres-a-list-of-countries-that-have-imposed-lockdowns-to-curb-covid-19-spread-7248222/

      https://www.bbc.com/news/explainers-53640249

      • Anonymous says:

        Of your three articles quoted, two of them are long outdated one is from back in April. The very last one that you quoted is the only one current, and it talks all about how everyone is lifting their curfews and opening up. I think you just shot yourself in the foot with all of that. LOL. Made yourself look stupid.

        • Anonymous says:

          Clearly you cannot read. Their first article is June 2nd 2021, the second is April 30th 2021 (less than 2 months ago), and the last was less than 24 hours ago. Furthermore, it is clear that 1:27pm is stating that the OP is incorrect in claiming that multiple lockdowns haven’t happened and places are completed restriction free. Yes the last article is discussing countries reopening but not all of them are without precautions, which is what the commenter is clearly pointing out.

          You are the one looking stupid with your inability to read and comprehend. Go back in your rabbit hole

    • Annie says:

      I just came back from getting my child from school. We booked an extra 2 days in Miami. Everything is pretty much pre-pandemic there. We went all over the place, masks are not required anywhere. One thing I noticed was a lot of South and Central American tourists going to get the free J&J jabs in the mall parking lot. There are so many people who want to be protected but don’t have the free easy accessibility that we have here. It is sad that so many people are fearful and choose not to do the right thing.

      • Anonymous says:

        Me too – a Caymanian bringing my child back from school in Orlando and also going to Atlanta. The best way to describe it is: life is normal in the post vaccination world. We/Cayman need to move forward into this post vaccination world.

  6. Anonymous says:

    The statement said there was no risk to the public but gave no other details relating to what had happened.

    Bold statement from “officials” who know just as much as the next man pertaining to covid.

    If there is no risl to the public you wouldn’t have to isolate anyone you idiots.

    • Anonymous says:

      @6.59am It simply means that they are confident that by isolating those who were or may have been exposed, that they have removed the risk to the rest of us.

      • It's me again says:

        Dgaf how “confident” they are. No one has a clue about this virus so don’t tell me about “confidence” when these inept officials continue to support bringing this plague to our shores.

        Removed the risk from the rest of us?

        Says who?!

        Where is their PHD in virology to make such a claim? Gtfo

  7. Anonymous says:

    Our government’s message – Take the vaccine, it won’t protect you! Sound stupid? We are being encouraged, rewarded, pushed to take it, and most have, but there is no opening. Our main clientele is from a country where Covid cases have plummeted despite having a lesser vaccination rate than us. I know math, science and statistics are involved, so don’t expect members of our government to understand. Enjoy the lockdown people, it’s here for a long time to come.

    • Anonymous says:

      Fine by me. Prevention is always better than cure, if staying closed a bit longer protects us and the wider community, I am all for it.

    • Anonymous says:

      Your shopping trip can wait Karen…calm down

      • Anonymous says:

        8.10am – shows how priviledge people like you who want to continue the lockdowns are. You project onto others that the only possible reason to travel is to “have a shopping trip”. Has it ever occurred to you that thousands of peoples lives and incomes are dependent on the free movement of people in and out of Cayman? You probably are some old retired rich person who can’t even comprehend the struggles of thousands of people who lost their incomes overr the last 2 years.

        • Anonymous says:

          Actually, I am a hard working, middle class, 30 year old who does not bitch and complain about measures that have been put in place to protect our community. If anyone is privileged, it is you and people like you who are consistently whining about borders needing to be opened just to suit YOUR selfish needs. It has already been established that tourism is NOT the pillar of Cayman, so you can come off that already. Yes, there is a place for tourism, but it is not the means to an end. Many could look into upskilling themselves instead of sitting around being lazy waiting for government handouts. There are numerous jobs available, waiting for people to apply. A lot of which are allowing people to work from home, only come in a few days a week, etc.

          Maybe take your head out of the sand and look around. We have it good.

          • Anonymous says:

            Hardworking and posting at 1:02 in the day. Classic. The trouble with youth is that you can’t think past yourself. If you were in tourism you wouldn’t be so self assured.

            • Anonymous says:

              Every heard of a lunch break? Or do you expect people to not have those as well?

              • 1:09 says:

                9:05 Thank you! By law we are entitled to a lunch break and gosh darn it, I decided to surf through CNS while I ate. Real shocker to 2:59 who clearly isn’t used to having a break during the day.

            • 1:09 says:

              Maybe learn to tell the time, I commented at 1:09 not 1:02. Apparently it is you all in the older generation who cannot get over yourselves and think beyond what solely benefits you. This pandemic has been challenging for all of us, but instead of complaining, I am finding things to be grateful for, working hard, and trying to do what I can for my community. I have several family members who were in tourism preCovid, they miss it and certainly felt the pinch when our borders closed. However, unlike many who are crying whoa me…they sought alternative employment and/or completed certificate programs which enabled them to seek another job (at least for the time being). There are jobs to be filled if you are willing to get off of your behind and apply for them.

              Happy to come off as a “self assured” young Caymanian any day. Maybe you should look in the mirror and figure out why don’t have that same feeling.

          • Anonymous says:

            My job pre-COVID involved extensive travel around the Caribbean and Central America. That has not been possible for over a year and likely for a few more months. The result is that I have to do the following:

            1. Hire people in other locations to do part of my job.
            2. Expect crappy service from said sub-contractors
            3. Do my own research to confirm the sub-contractor has fulfilled their obligations.
            4. Take a 25 to 50 percent reduction on my fee because I cannot travel.
            5. Take a pay cheque that is 50 percent of my pre-COVID pay but still spend the same or more time working on that file.

            The net effect is that my local spending has had to adjust to reflect my income. The reality is that if this does not change soon I have to leave and do my job elsewhere. My taxes (duty) will not flow to Cayman, and my thousands of dollars per month disappear as well from the local economy

            • Anonymous says:

              Exactly. People seem to think that this prolonged border closure with no end in sight is not having an affect on people because it only hurt tourism workers on work permits anyway. There are many people struggling that don’t have the luxury to just wait forever for the border to reopen.

          • Anonymous says:

            If Cayman keeps its borders closed indefinitely while the rest of the world continues to focus on opening up, it will also have a negative impact on the financial services industry.

            • Anonymous says:

              True – firms either have contingency plans already in place or are putting them in place.

              • Anonymous says:

                No firm is going to move out or in from Cayman when money is being made daily. You people have lost the plot if you think our financial world is hurting. Business is booming, you have many who are moving here to have Covid free freedom through that global citizens program. Hell, look at real estate, it’s BOOMING with people/investors purchasing property. Many buying site unseen just to come to our shores and do business here. Chill out and stop with the fear mongering. Just because the restrictions don’t suit your wants and needs, doesn’t mean it will be to the detriment of our country.

                • Anonymous says:

                  Ya but look at the rental market. And it’s not as easy to convince people to move here once they realize the travel restrictions when the rest of the world is opening up.

                  • Anonymous says:

                    Most of these big firms are renting places FOR these employees. For those who are paying it themselves, don’t kid yourself, these folks are making money out to waste, they are barely feeling it paying their rent.

                    • Anonymous says:

                      I’m not sure what you are on about but it is not easy to find renters these days.

          • Anonymous says:

            Dude, you’re probably well off like me.. get a bit of perspective. Just because it’s not really impacting us or our friends, doesn’t mean it’s not harming our neighbours.

      • Anonymous says:

        You do know we can ship things to Cayman? There’s no reason to travel for shopping. So do the readers of CNS a favor and stop your highly inaccurate Karen references.

    • Anonymous says:

      To 10.42pm “I know math, science and statistics are involved, so don’t expect members of our government to understand”. Very disrespectful comment. Our Government (both PACT and PPM admins) has done a great job in handling Covid-19. If you are not happy with that just catch the next flight out or if you can’t wait, take a canoe or swim. I dont really care how you leave as long as you go and don’t come back. Of course there’s that old Cayman saying ‘If you drink Cayman water, if you marry a Cayman daughter; you may go but you have come back’

      • Anonymous says:

        12:31 Say it louder for these ungrateful swines.

        • Anonymous says:

          Classy

        • Anonymous says:

          Thank you America for creating a vaccine under the Republicans. And thank you Democrats for amping up the distribution. I’m truly grateful as the alternative would not be sustainable.

      • Anonymous says:

        Do the vaccines work or do they not work? If one cannot be vaccinated wear a mask and wash hands. As for a great job, the rich typically do not feel the effects of closed businesses, increased prices, increased crime, etc. Why do you think we’re having so many accidents? Perhaps the excess use of alcohol? Why is that? Telling people to leave their home is the lowest of the low.

        • Anonymous says:

          Should be washing your hands whether you are vaccinated or not

        • Anonymous says:

          Minor comment: you should always wash your hands, and wear a mask if you’re sick.

          Bit frustrating it took a pandemic to remind many people about it.. every year there’s so many preventable deaths from the regular flu and colds.

      • Anonymous says:

        Love that saying. Never heard that one before.

  8. Anonymous says:

    I didnt need bribing. I had common sense.

  9. Anonymous says:

    Did the government have everyone’s consent to release their names? By doing so the government released their sensitive personal data (getting a vaccine is medical information which is sensitive personal data under the Data Protection Law). If they got consent beforehand then good for them…if not then, oopsie!

    • Anonymous says:

      Probably another law that got rewritten in 2020 while we were locked down or another law easily trumped under the guise of ‘public health’

  10. Anonymous says:

    Yawn, the world has moved on. Look around you.

    • Anonymous says:

      I’m looking but not seeing the bs you are spewing

      • Anonymous says:

        Take your irrational fear goggles off.

      • Anonymous says:

        Or go on a trip and see for yourself

      • STX says:

        I would gladly invite you over to see for yourself, but it would take months to get a flight and I doubt you would want to quarantine for 5+ days on your return. August 21 Miami Dolphins versus the Atlantic Falcons might sound fun. Or maybe a baseball game – plenty going on this month if you are a Marlin fan.

        If you are looking, then you ain’t looking too hard.

        • Anonymous says:

          Anyone who would invite someone to go watch pre-season football must be a moron. The only thing more stupid than watching pre-season football is betting on pre-season football. Just so I know how to rate your stupidity, do you bet on pre-season football?

          • STX says:

            You sound fun. But let’s try again. The world has moved on – look around. We have sporting events that have the equivalent numbers as the entire population of CI crammed into a stadium. The vaccination rate is lower than the 70% plus of the CI, no masks, no social distancing.
            Just so I know how to rate your stupidity – do you want to bet on how many CV outbreaks we have while hosting these events?

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