Coronavirus

 

The Cayman Islands has had six hundred and twenty-nine (629) cases of SARS-CoV (COVID-19).  For the latest local figures visit gov.ky/coronavirus

Click here for the latest updates & criteria regarding the COVID Vaccination Campaign.

CONSENT FORM – Click Here

SISTER ISLANDS – Residents of the Sister Islands with questions please contact 925-1190 or 244-7643.

 

VACCINATION HIGHLIGHTS

  • The public is reminded to please bring your own face mask as they are required at the vaccination clinics.
  • Both Dose 1 & Dose 2 are available
  • Pfizer COVID vaccine is available to ALL persons 12 years and over.
  • Photo ID showing date of birth required
  • Bring your completed consent form for Dose 1. Visit hsa.ky to download the form here.
  • Persons who have received their first dose are reminded to get their second dose 21 days later or no longer than 12 weeks after the first dose.
  • When receiving your 2nd dose, you MUST also bring along your vaccination card reflecting your 1st dose.
  • Do not laminate your vaccination card at any time.(If you have already done so, please bring your vaccination card to the ORIA Vaccination Clinic along with your photo ID.)
  • Park in the long-term parking lot.
  • Do not bring children, when possible.
  • No pets allowed at the vaccination clinic.
  • Facemasks required.
  • Persons 60 years and older will be given priority.

The public is reminded to adhere to the published schedule and plan to get the vaccine throughout the day, to limit congestion at the vaccination clinic.

If someone is home bound and unable to attend one of the vaccination clinics, they should contact the Flu Hotline 1-800-534-8600 or 925-6327 or their local HSA District Health Centre and arrangements will be made to with a Public Health nurse to provide the vaccine in their home.

Have more questions about the vaccine? Visit www.exploregov.ky/faqs/covid19-vaccine

COVID TESTING

COVID-19 testing is currently available to all of the members of the public. Testing is free to everyone and are encouraged to get tested. Persons can book an appointment online using the calendar below. Please note: appointments must be made (2) two business days in advance as all persons being tested must be pre-registered (no walk-ins). Results are emailed within 24 hours of your test.

The COVID-19 clinic is located on the side of the hospital facing the Seventh Day Adventist Church, to the left of A&E (at the previous location of the Physiotherapy Department).
Appointment times are currently available between 7:30am – 11:00am Monday – Friday.  Sunday clinics are available from 10am – 12pm when a Tuesday flight is scheduled.

CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

ATTENTION TRAVELLERS: It is the traveller’s responsibility to check the travel requirements of the country(ies) you are travelling to, including the required time frame for a negative PCR COVID-19 test (ie: testing 72 hours prior to travel).

  • Please ensure you book your appointment within the required timeframe for the country you are travelling to. (ie: do not book your appointment outside of 72 hours prior to travel, as this is too far in advance of your travel date)
  • ‘Day-of’ flight testing cannot be accommodated due to the length of time it takes to process the PCR results
  • Please bring your own facemask when visiting the clinic
  • Please use a valid email address to ensure you receive your PCR results, as these will be provided to you via email
  • Your name and date of birth on the registration below MUST match your passport.

If you are part of the Quarantine in Residence Programme, you will receive an email from Public Health 48 hours prior to your Exit testing date, as to when and where your exit test will take place.

Questions? – contact covidscreening@hsa.ky

 

CLICK HERE FOR CORONAVIRUS FACT SHEETS AND INFORMATIONAL FLYERS

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

 

 

How do I get my COVID-19 screening results?

All persons being screened for COVID-19 through the HSA lab, you will be given and need to activate your MyHSA Portal Account in order to access your results.  Click here for more info.

What is coronavirus?

• Coronaviruses (COVID-19) 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 or chills
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Fatigue
    • Muscle or body aches
    • Headache
    • New loss of taste or smell
    • Sore throat
    • Congestion or runny nose
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Diarrhea

How soon do symptoms occur?

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

 

Is there a vaccine against coronavirus?

  • Yes, there is a recently developed vaccine.

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.
• 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
  • practice social distancing of minimum of 6 feet
  • 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
  • Cayman has  laboratories that can test for COVID-19 locally.

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.

 

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

  • 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