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
flu@hsa.ky 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