Coronavirus

The Cayman Islands has twelve (12) confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19). All cases are currently in Grand Cayman, there are no cases in Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. For the latest local figures visit gov.ky/coronavirus

CLICK HERE FOR CORONAVIRUS FACT SHEETS AND INFORMATIONAL FLYERS

For all of the most up-to-date Public Health News and Notices, click here.

  

PRESS RELEASES

(27 March 2020) CMO announced 15 additional samples have returned negative results. There are no new cases to report.  Going forward from Saturday morning until Friday, 3 April, there will be two curfew regimes: the ‘soft’ daytime curfew followed a ‘hard’ curfew at night with more stringent restrictions.  Find out more.

(26 March 2020) Further 48 samples tested have negative results for COVID-19. Cayman Islands leaders reported the extended curfew has so far worked smoothly and appealed to the public to continue following protocols as well as cooperating with the Police who were lauded for doing an exemplary job. Read more here.

(25 March 2020) Health officials today reported another two persons, both with travel history, have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. The Cayman Islands Government will implement a curfew for all three Islands from 7pm tonight (Wednesday, 25 March 2020) until 5am Saturday, 28 March.  Read the full statement here.

(24 March 2020) One positive test result potentially confirming community spread. All precautionary protocols, including isolation of loved ones and persons who came into contact with the person, are now in effect. A mandatory curfew comes into effect tonight Tuesday 24th March from 7:00 pm to 5:00 am.  Click here for the latest updates.

(20 March 2020) All 23 new test results tested negative for COVID-19 infection. All returning residents are now required to self-isolate or else will be breaching the Public Health Law and are liable for action under Section 24 of that law. Read statement here.

(19 March 2020) The Public Health Department have confirmed the results from the latest round of coronavirus testing. Of the 40 individuals awaiting test results, 2 have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, while 38 results came back negative.  Read the full statement here.

(17 March 2020) The preliminary results have now come back from the first tests for COVID-19 to be carried out here in the Cayman Islands. Of these 20 tests there were 19 samples sent from Health City and one referred through the Health Services Authority. All the samples have tested negative for the virus causing COVID-19.  Click here for the full update.

Clarification on self isolation, click here.

(16 March 2020)  Premier’s Update on COVID 19. Click here.

(14 March 2020) Health City Cayman Islands today Saturday 14 March 2020 announced the passing of the 68-year-old patient who was confirmed as the first COVID-19 case in the Cayman Islands. Click here for the whole story.

(13 March 2020) In light of the global spread of the coronavirus, the Cayman Islands government has announced a temporary ban on all public gathering of 50 people or more. Click here to read more.

(13 March 2020) Cabinet has issued regulations to control the entry of persons to the Cayman Islands from high risk areas under the Public Health Law (2002 Revision). Visitors from the following countries will be denied entry for 60 days effective Monday, 16 March. Click here to read more.

(12 March 2020) The Public Health Department confirms that one of the persons tested recently for the novel coronavirus has tested positive. “The patient is a visitor who was transferred from a cruise ship for a critical cardiac issue,” said Medical Health Officer, Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez. Click here for the full story.

(9 March 2020) The Public Health Department is sending five samples to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) to be tested for the coronavirus, (COVID-19) for a number of people who are feeling unwell and have recently travelled to countries who are experiencing an outbreak.  Click here for the full story.

(5 March 2020) COVID-19: Cayman Islands Prepared as Regional Cases Confirmed. The opening of the Cayman Islands National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) on Wednesday, 4 March brought together Government and community partners to prepare for the possibility of the virus reaching Cayman. Click here for the full story.

(25 February 2020)  Cabinet approves travel restrictions to manage the threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Residents with travel plans to any countries with significant transmission should avoid travel.  Click Here for the full story.

(10 February 2020)  The Ministry of Health and the Department of Public Health move to reduce the threat of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19).  Click here for the full story.   Please click here for Q&A about coronavirus and quarantine.

 

What is coronavirus?

• Coronaviruses (CoV) comprise of a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common to cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).
• Coronaviruses are zoonotic, which means they are transmitted between animals and humans. An example of this is SARS-CoV, where the disease was transmitted from civet cats to humans.
• The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of corona virus that has not been previously identified in humans.

What are the symptoms?
Common symptoms include respiratory symptoms:

    • fever
    • cough
    • shortness of breath
    • breathing difficulties
  • In severe cases of coronavirus can cause:
    • pneumonia
    • severe acute respiratory syndrome
    • kidney failure

How soon do symptoms occur?

  • Symptoms occur 2-14 days after a person has been exposed (average 5 days).

 

What is the global, regional, and local burden of coronavirus?

• The coronavirus outbreak was first reported in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China on December 21, 2019. Currently, there are confirmed cases of COVID-19 within all of the World Health
Organization regions.
• Presently it is estimated that there are over 92,000* cases of COVID-19 globally. There have been over 3,000* deaths caused by the coronavirus. The World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency of international concern over the recent outbreak.
• In the region of the Americas, there are confirmed cases in the United States, Canada, Ecuador, Mexico, Brazil, Dominican Republic and French Saint Martin.
• There have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Cayman Islands.

 

* These figures are subject to change as the number of confirmed cases increase. For the latest information on COVID-19 please refer to https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports.

Is there a vaccine against coronavirus?

  • Currently there is no vaccine to protect against COVID-19. When a disease is new, it can take up to a few years for a new vaccine to be developed.

How is coronavirus spread?

• While this strain of coronavirus is new, it appears to spread in a similar manner to that of other coronaviruses such as SARS, through cough and sneeze droplets.
• This occurs when an infected person sneezes or coughs directly on another person. The droplets are then transferred when the healthy person touches their nose or mouth.
• A person can also become ill if they touch surfaces where droplets have landed such as tables, chairs and door handles, then touch their nose or mouth. This route is dependent on the length of time the virus is able to survive on the surface.
• Some reports indicate that people who have not yet developed symptoms may also be able to infect others.
• It is important to remember that coronaviruses are also able spread to people who come in contact with infected animals and livestock.

 

How do I reduce the risk of coronavirus infection?

Although we do not have COVID-19 cases in the Cayman Islands, there is a probability of returning residents or visitors from affected areas being infected with coronavirus. This is why it is recommended to practice infection control measures such as:

  • frequent hand cleansing with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
  • covering nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
  • avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections, and
  • avoiding unprotected contact with farm or wild animals

How is coronavirus diagnosed?

  • Doctors suspect the possibility of coronavirus based on clinical symptoms and signs which meet one of the following criteria:
    • The person who is experiencing an acute respiratory infection recently travelled or lives in a country that has reported local transmission of COVID-19 during the past 14 days prior to developing symptoms.
    • The person who is experiencing an acute respiratory infection has been in contact with someone who is confirmed or suspected of having COVID-19 within the past 14 days prior to developing symptoms
    • The person who is experiencing a severe acute respiratory infection has no other cause for infection and requires hospitalization
  • Collected samples are sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency for testing. Results are usually available between five to ten days.

 

What should I do if I have coronavirus?

• While there is no specific treatment for COVID-19, if you have recently travelled to a country experiencing an outbreak of coronavirus and develop symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, seek medical attention immediately. Ensure that you provide your doctor with your recent travel history and symptoms.
• Wear a mask if available.
• Do not travel while you are ill, if possible.
• Laboratory confirmation is not essential for the management of coronavirus cases, as treatment will be administered based upon your symptoms.

Should I worry about coronavirus?

If you have not travelled to an area where there is local transmission of COVID-19 or had close contact with someone who has, and is feeling unwell, your chances of becoming infected are currently low. It is important to stay informed of the situation through the use of reliable sources, such as the World Health Organization, and take appropriate measures to protect yourself.

Should I wear a mask to protect myself?

People with no respiratory symptoms do not need to wear a medical mask. The use of masks is for persons who have symptoms of COVID-19 and health care workers who are caring for individuals with symptoms such as cough and fever.

Visit WHO for more informational videos regarding the Coronavirus and how to stay protected.

Contact for further information or if you think you have or may have been exposed to the Coronavirus

  • Public Health Department 345-244-2621
  • 24 hour Flu Hotline – 1-800-534-8600 or 345-947-3077
  • Email flu@hsa.ky

Details of the steps that Government is taking to combat the disease are also available from www.gov.ky/coronavirus