Coronavirus

The Cayman Islands has three hundred and eighty-three (383) confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19).  For the latest local figures visit gov.ky/coronavirus

COVID-19 Vaccines are now available to priority groups as defined in the National COVID-19 Vaccination Plan.
Click here for more news and updates regarding the COVID Vaccination Campaign.

 

SISTER ISLAND SCHEDULE

For persons who fall within Stage 1 and who have not yet been vaccinated and Stage 2 (Group A), dose one of the vaccines is available on Wednesday 27th January – Thursday 28th January.

For persons who have been vaccinated at least 21 days ago, dose 2 of the vaccine is available on Saturday 30th January, Sunday 31st, Monday 1st February, and Tuesday 2nd February.

Location: Aston Rutty Centre Medical Wing Flu Clinic

Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm

Vaccinations will be available at the Little Cayman Clinic on Wednesday 3rd February from 10am – 1pm.

Click here for the vaccination consent form.

COVID-19 screening 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 by clicking here. 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 with 24 hours of your test.

The COVID-19 clinic will be 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  – 8:20am Monday – Friday. If you have any questions, please contact covidscreening@hsa.ky.

ATTENTION TRAVELLERS: please ensure you have checked with country of final destination the time frame required for your COVID-19 test.

If you have 15 or more persons at your organisation and would like to schedule on-site screening, please email covidscreening@hsa.ky and we will schedule our mobile team to come to you.

To schedule an appointment for a free IgG Antibody test, email antibodyscreening@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