CAYMAN ISLANDS (March 20, 2020) – Health City Cayman Islands is reporting that no further staff members currently in quarantine have tested positive for COVID-19. The results of the third batch of tests run by the Cayman Islands Health Services Authority (HSA) were announced at a Cayman Islands Government press conference on Friday, March 20.

All of the 41 samples submitted for testing from Health City have now been tested, with a total of two medical staff members testing positive for the virus. The positive test results were announced on Thursday, March 19. All other samples tested negative.

All Health City staff members, their families and any other individuals who were considered to be in direct risk of infection were tested. These persons were immediately quarantined and had samples taken from them once a patient at the facility tested positive for the virus on Thursday, March 12. The direct contacts of the two individuals who have tested positive have also been in quarantine.

“We are pleased that there have been no further positive cases beyond the two previously announced positive test results, which were from medical staff members who were in direct contact with the first COVID-19 positive patient who was being cared for at our facility. Having only two out of 41 samples from Health City return a positive result is proof that we have acted quickly and correctly in our measures to contain the virus and curtail any community spread of the disease from this original patient. Health City will continue to be vigilant in our precautionary measures against the transmission of COVID-19,” Dr. Binoy Chattuparambil, Clinical Director of Health City Cayman Islands said.

Those connected to Health City who have tested positive for COVID-19 will remain in quarantine for 14 days, as is the standard for these cases as confirmed by Public Health Cayman Islands and Public Health England. They will have confirmatory clearance tests conducted at the conclusion of this period.

He said, “At Health City, we have taken rigorous measures to contain the spread of the virus, and have also been advised, instructed and reassured by Public Health England officials in this effort that we are taking all of the necessary and correct steps to curtail community transmission.”

The concerned individuals do not have children and none of their family members are showing symptoms at this time and are all doing well. These two staff members that tested positive are experiencing very mild symptoms.

Dr. Chattuparambil outlined that these positive staff members would remain in quarantine for the rest of the prescribed 14 days. If they remain symptomatic after 14 days which is unlikely, they would remain in quarantine until symptoms disappear. This, he explained, was the standard endorsed by visiting Public Health England officials currently on island to assist with the Cayman Islands’ official government response to COVID-19.

He further explained that that any person who has had potential infectious contact with a quarantined individual at Health City has already been notified and has been followed up with by the Public Health Department for evaluation and potential testing.

Currently testing capabilities are limited on island and testing for COVID-19 and at present is being restricted to symptomatic high risk contacts and those that have other factors that would lead to suspicion of having the virus. Symptoms include fever, respiratory symptoms such as sore throat, cough, chest tightness or shortness of breath.

Individuals who develop any flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose etc., are advised to contact the Cayman Islands Public Health Department at [email protected] or via the flu hotline at 1-800-534-8600.

For more information about how to protect yourself from acquiring COVID-19, visit www.hsa.ky/coronavirus and www.gov.ky/coronavirus