Isolators warned they must get official PCR exit test
(CNS): Health Minister Sabrina Turner said at Thursday’s press briefing that people who have tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus who leave isolation before getting an official PCR exit test, regardless of how long they have been in quarantine, will be prosecuted. Those who have left isolation without getting the formal test are being selfish, Turner said.
The minister said those in quarantine are not free to leave home until they have received an official negative result, and that people must follow the procedures; they cannot self-release, as that is a violation of the rules.
There have been indications that some people, frustrated by the system, had taken a lateral flow test and then gone about their business and had failed to turn up for the official exit test.
Turner said that government has a list of all those in quarantine as a result of being positive and would come after people who flout the regulations and put the community at risk. She said there could still be deadly consequences because of the rapid spread of the virus.
“We are aware that persons took themselves out of isolation… without reporting to the exit PCR testing site,” she said. “Let me warn everyone who has done this that you are in violation of the Public Health Law and you may still be positive, carrying a high viral load, and you are putting the public and yourself at great risk and you are just outright selfish.”
The minister continued, “I am warning you, if you don’t show up by tomorrow, you will be reported to the police for prosecution.”
Turner claimed that government was being flexible in decisions but public safety was at the heart of the procedures.
“Public Health is behind, yes I know, and many of you are critical of them,” she said, before referring to the department as “my Public Health”, who she said were working very hard, despite the criticisms.
As she concluded her comments, Turner said she was concerned that people were developing an attitude towards the pandemic of not caring and were putting the entire community at risk.
Addressing employers who not paying staff members who are sick, even warning them not to report their status to Public Health and threatening to fire them if they do so, the minister warned them that reporting a positive test is mandatory and not an option. “Being COVID-positive makes you a public health risk,” she said. “We must remain committed to following the regulations.”
Turner also revealed that on Cayman Brac, enforcement of social distancing and other protocols would be stepped up and there would be more access to vaccines, given the increase in transmission on that island, where a considerable number of elderly and vulnerable people live.
After the press conference and numerous requests over the last week, Public Health officials released more up-to-date figures on the huge number of positive COVID-19 cases reported this week. There were 850 new positive cases on Monday and Tuesday, including 14 cases on the Sister Islands.
With an estimated 4,000 people in isolation and a great many people needing a PCR test to confirm a positive LFT or for exit testing, Public Health is stretched to its limits.
Government has now expanded the testing programme and has moved the daily walk-in clinic from the South Sound Community Centre to a drive-through service at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex parking lot, starting Friday, 21 January. The new drive-through clinic will be for exit testing and confirmation PCR following positive lateral flow tests.
“We are aware of the heavy traffic of persons requiring PCR tests at the South Sound Community Centre and have been working on alleviating this issue by identifying a more suitable location,” said Dr Medical Officer of Health Samuel Williams-Rodriguez.
“After the successful launch of the new drive-through clinic at Truman Bodden Sports Complex parking lot earlier this week, we have determined that this site meets the needs of this daily testing clinic and allows for better crowd control, a more streamlined process for patients as they will be tested from the comfort of their vehicle.”
Public Health directed PCR testing clinics are as follows:
Isolation/Quarantine Exit PCR Testing Centres – Open Daily
- Truman Bodden Sports Complex (parking lot drive-thru) – 7am – 10am
- Ed Bush Sports Complex – 10am – 12pm
- Bodden Town Civic Centre – 10am – 12pm
Positive LFT Confirmation PCR Testing Centres – Open Daily
- Truman Bodden Sports Complex (parking lot drive-thru) – 7am – 10am
- Ed Bush Sports Complex – 1 – 2pm
- Bodden Town Civic Centre – 1 – 2pm
People who test positive with a LFT must isolate immediately, report the result here and attend the next available designated HSA clinic for your PCR test. This confirmation PCR test is a Public Health requirement.
Results will state “Not valid for travel”. These confirmation tests are not conducted at the Cayman Islands Hospital, COVID clinic, or any private institution. Individuals who require PCR or certified LFT for outbound travel or other optional screening should attend the clinic at 131 Centre MacLendon Drive.
Faith Hospital in Cayman Brac will provide exit testing for certified LFTs at the Aston Rutty Centre Medical Wing on Friday, 21 January, from 9am – 3pm for those eligible to exit quarantine based on the new changes to government regulations.
Certified LFTs are CI$25 and people being tested can pay by cash, credit or debit card. Test results will be availbale in approximately 1 hour.
People in Little Cayman can contact the Little Cayman Clinic at 948-0072 to schedule an appointment.
People attending the drive-through must bring their photo ID along with the QR code that will be provided in the email as proof of payment.
Anyone paying cash can visit the clinic at 131 MacLendon Drive location between 7:30am and 12pm, as the drive-through location is for pre-paid customers only.
The minimum age for the certified LFT exit testing is five years; children under five are not required to be tested.
See the new regulations that came into effect last night here.
Watch the press conference on CIGTV below:
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Category: Health, Medical Health
If you take exception to Sabrina’s vacuous muttering, please take note:
“Every country has the government it deserves”
–Philosopher Joseph de Maistre
On the last great and glorious Cayman election day the plain folks of this land reached their heart’s desire at last, and the Legislative Assembly Building was adorned with downright morons. The Panton PACT-less Clown Car is now parked out front.
Hkow many governments/politicians are not corrupt in any country. People change when they acquire money and power in the political game.
How many governments/politicians are not corrupt in any country. People change when they acquire money and power in the political game.
My comment touched on the the Panton PACT-less Clown Car being laden with morons (and driven by the Moron-in-Chief). But now that you bring up the possibility that we are being led by corrupt morons, I think we have reason to be even more deeply concerned.
Dr Williams is an unqualified for the role. Perhaps we should listen to our new CMO who is?
I wouldn’t listen to a thing he says on any subject.
The constant regime of testing and venue changing is his responsibility.
Alright for communist Cuba.
I believe we live in a democracy- perhaps PACT need reminded?
Nobody else is doing this it’s just retarded. A bit like those making the decisions.
Project fear continues, at least here intros third world country.
This cannot be legal. How come no one has taken the government to court over this? Omicron is a bad flu, and will kill a few people, but does not justify the government’s power to imprison people without a trial.
Bring it on Sabrina Turner…. I will see you HSA, PH and others in court. You will be publicly embarrassed (more than you already make yourself) and I will cash in on my lawsuit. FACT – stay tuned Cayman public I am not one of the “sheeple” who will blindly follow the communist bully tactics of incompetent Cabinet members.
Unna is Cabinet need to get your head out of your backside and quit playing the lackeys to the Motherland.
I am inviting Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov to talk to G. Wayne Panton on how to make Cayman a better communist leaning country.
Peace out my fellow Caymanians – stand up for your right, ask questions, challenge authority.
I like your comment but why do you want to encourage communism here?
This is one of very FEW countries in the world that hasn’t gone off the deep-end to the left in the past decade (and especially since COVID).
There should be a lawsuit that challenges the emergency powers under which the government makes these mandates.
I’m sorry is it Biden or was it Trump who’s head was up Putins arse? Because you surely aren’t trying to say that the left is more inclined to support Russia over the right, right?
Left wing socialists love Russia. That’s why normal peo0le love Boris
Not anymore. Left-wing socialists of today hate Russia. Wake up and smell the new environment.
I mean I’m not even a whack to your head would fix what’s broken in there.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/25/tucker-carlson-russia-ukraine-democrats
This government is an absolute disgrace. No other country in the world has PCR exit tests – I am triple jabbed, had a PCR exit test on day 7 and still do not have the result 36 hours later. It should be sent within 3 hours of the test. Once again a third world disgusting inhumane service from a 3rd world CIG like with everything else they do.
someone has purchased PCR test kits, now they have to use it
England has dropped all requirements. Can we just do the same? Can we just get on with just living our lives and toss fear from our lives?
Its funny, because your blind compliance with regulations has resulted in the prison you now find yourselves in.
You only have yourselves to blame.
@4:58 p.m. – Sir or Madam, whether vax or unvax, we still should respect people’s freedom of choice. Am I not right? Panton’s government should have made all Covid policies based on that rule. Why?
Because people are still dying vax or unvax from Covid. And others are dying from vaccine adverse reactions. THAT IS FACT. And it looks like the pandemic now will soon be the endemic this 2022 year! The money-makers got what they wanted in jabbing millions of people. Its time to grow up, move on, and respect people’s individual rights. 🤷🏽♂️
No one is dying from vaccine reactions and no one triple jabbed (boosted) is dying from Omicron. Stop spreading lies or show reputable proof in the news (not Facebook lies) about this nonsense you are claiming. People are isolating for no reason with no symptoms to protect the stupid unvaccinated and it is not fair.
Ask yourself after the biggest clinical trial in history took place that the FDA have secured the data for 75 years and yes people (relatively few) have indeed died from reactions to the vaccines, this is well known. Best not to fight no sense with more nonsense.
A judge ruled they will have to give up the data around october, just in time for the midterms. But the fact they tried to supress speaks volumes.
@ 11:49 & 4:17:
Where did your statistics come from? The USA? Last time I checked it is the Cayman Islands flag flying over the Gov’t Admin building. Hint: This ain’t the USA, Bobo. Data here clearly indicates that the vast majority of serious illness, hospitalisations and death is among the non-vaxed. Please do tell us exactly how many people in the Cayman Islands have died from the vax. Do have any reliable data or will you continue to spew baxide gas and parrot bullchit Covid info and policy from the USA? The USA is hardly a model of sound Covid management and treatment success: the USA death rate percentage among those hospitalised for Covid is many times that of the Cayman Islands. The USA deaths per unit measure of population is almost 12 times that of the Cayman Islands.
Far more unvaccinated people than vaccinated people are dying. Very few, if any people died from adverse effects.
I do agree that people’s freedom of choice should be respected, even if it’s a choice made on the kind of false information you are peddling.
IT. IS. NOT. FACT.
I have no respect for un-vaxxed! I think you’re selfish and ill-informed and want nothing to do with you as I can’t pretend to try to see your point of view. Am I wrong? Maybe…but don’t care, that’s my choice…
You’re in for a rude awakening!
Oh no, we’re just getting started. Pfizer have already said that when the ‘Omicron vax’ is released, it may start a new ‘course of treatment’ – meaning we start over – two initial shots, followed by boosters.
Why are we not following the UK and other countries who have scrapped pre-departure and arrival COVID tests for vaccinated? vaccinated with Omicon are no threat to the hospital space and none of the cases in Cayan come from incoming vaccinated travelers. Why is Cayman living in the past?
Thanks for the dumbest post of the week!
Why because it is referring to the rules being relaxed for all of those who gotten vaccinated?
Phase 6 blame others when this idiotic situation goes bottom UP!
The people putting the community at risk are those who refuse to vaccinate. Omicron is a relatively mild illness if vaccinated, so if you choose not to get a jab you are not only selfish, but you are juggling a live hand grenade.
Maybe so, but the superiority and invincibility complex of many vaccinated who aren’t wearing proper masks or even wearing them at all and not distancing correctly are probably more at fault
It’s actually no difference.
If your vax works, how are the unvaccinated putting you at risk?
Because the unvaccinated let it mutate ya dumb dumb
As someone who found themselves stuck in a foreign country because the PCR test can give false positives for at least 3 months, I would suggest these geniuses go back to the drawing board.
Omicron is recognised to last a maximum of a week, I have had both Delta and Omicron, both mild due to double vac and booster. With my recent Omicron infection, I tested negative on two consecutive days following day 5.
If you are double or treble vaxxed you do not need a PCR test to conclude isolation, this is a negligent and hugely damaging policy to our economy. It is also unnecessary, as LFT’s are deemed perfectly adequate to test incoming citizens or visitors that are vaxxed.
People will follow sensible rules, they will not follow meaningless and money driven testing to satisfy a hopeless politicians ego.
Turner said that: “We are aware that persons took themselves out of isolation… you are putting the public and yourself at great risk and you are just outright selfish.” The minister continued, “I am warning you, if you don’t show up by tomorrow, you will be reported to the police for prosecution.” Turner also revealed that on Cayman Brac, enforcement of social distancing and other protocols would be stepped up. We shall be watching to see how she handles the businesses that we have seen that have not yet configured their space to make it even remotely possible for customers to social distance. They are no less putting people at risk. It will be interesting to see if she issues them a mandate and warnings for prosecution. If not, Turner is just another bag of hot air. Sabrina: We are warning you, you better do your job because we have our eyes on you!
Complete disgrace. Time for legal proceedings against the government to end exit PCR tests for the boosted who are close to 32 viral ‘pass’ score. There is no scientific basis for government policy. Third world leadership.
Me listening to Sabrina:
https://youtu.be/ss2hULhXf04
11:38:
Priceless! LOL
Kenneth is now producing videos threatening to charge his constituents with leaving derelict cars. While this is a problem it is not the politicians job to endure the laws. Politicians make the law the administrative branch enforces, it’s called separation of powers and is our first defence against corruption. Neither Kenneth or Sabrina seem to understand this and that is really worrying considering that they are cabinet ministers not enforcers!!
What is more worrying is why the Actual F are the police and other agencies not enforcing the law, all day, every day?
Every single one of these ‘politicians’ should made to attend a course on public speaking when they get elected because not ONE of them has a clue how to do it. I’m warning you….😄. Laughable.
Sabrina cares about
a) Our Health
b) Control
Monday and food
Sorry; but that lady comes
Across as power obsessed and extremely aggressive. She’s dangerous, shouldn’t be anywhere near her position.
We are so screwed
You are correct. The ignorance she possesses can be seen in her face and she doesn’t need to speak to prove that. I saw that from day one. I’m not one to judge but call the shots as I see them .She has no clue what she doing.
Sadly she’s not the only one that doesn’t know what they’re doing🤡s
Yep, somethings pretty nasty there for sure…at least Panton seems personable, she seems rude and overly bossy, me don’t like