Hospital
assures public that virus was contained and all persons at risk were
contacted

CAYMAN
ISLANDS (March 24, 2020) – Health City Cayman Islands is confirming
that one out of two new positive COVID-19 individuals identified from
samples sent by the tertiary care hospital was an Intensive Care Unit
(ICU) patient. The other is a medical staff member of the facility.

The
announcement of the two new positive results on Monday, March 23 at a
Cayman Islands Government press briefing brought the total of
COVID-19 infections among Health City staff members and patients to
four with 43 samples being confirmed as negative for the virus. Thus
far, 47 samples from Health City has been tested and are pending
confirmation by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). A total
of 78 samples from Health City have been submitted for testing to
date, so there are currently 31 pending test results yet to be
received.

Several
patients in ICU were tested as a precaution, as they were being
treated in the ICU during the same time period as the Cayman Islands'
first COVID-19 positive patient prior to the hospital being aware
that the man carried the virus. That patient, a 68-year-old cruise
traveler, was an emergency patient being treated for cardiac arrest
who arrived at the hospital on February 29. He later developed
symptoms of COVID-19, was tested and found to be positive on March
12. He subsequently passed away from complications of the virus and
underlying health issues on March 14.

All
other ICU patients tested returned negative results for COVID-19.

All
medical staff members, their family members, patients and other
individuals considered to be at risk for infection were immediately
quarantined and tested for the virus following the first positive
test result. All tested individuals remain in quarantine until their
test results are confirmed by CARPHA.

Since
the tests were performed for the first time in the Cayman Islands,
the samples were sent to CARPHA as a quality control measure, and
confirmation of the initial results is expected within a few days.

Dr.
Binoy Chattuparambil, Clinical Director of Health City Cayman Islands
hastened to reassure patients that containment measures were swift
and stringent.

“We are of
course disappointed that one of the ICU patients being treated at the
same time as the first COVID-19 positive patient has also returned
positive results. The patient has been quarantined since March 12 and
has been treated in medical isolation receiving the highest level of
care. Thus far, the patient is doing well.” he said.

Dr.
Chattuparambil continued, “In light of the two new positive
results, we have had many patient enquiries as to the level of their
potential exposure to the virus which causes COVID-19. Please rest
assured that all containment measures have been implemented, and we
have acted responsibly in suppressing the spread of this virus from
the initial cruise patient. We are a tertiary care facility that
regular performs at the highest of standards, as is supported by our
accreditation by Joint Commission International (JCI). We have
infection control experts on our team, and we have been supported,
advised and praised in our actions to contain this virus by Public
Health Cayman and Public Health England.”

He referred to
the overall numbers and transmission rate, saying, “Additionally,
the infection rate remains low with just four out of 47 samples
tested being positive. And we are secure in the knowledge that we
took the appropriate and correct steps to contain the virus very
early on, which is actually still borne out by the test results thus
far.”

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. He reiterated that
if an individual has not been contacted, that they are not at risk
from infection from the initial COVID-19 positive patient at Health
City.

The
hospital quarantined and tested all staff members, their families and
other individuals who were considered to be at direct risk for
exposure to the COVID-19 virus. The level of contact with the patient
determined the risk level. Additionally, any of those individuals who
displayed flu-like symptoms were included in the testing group.

The four
individuals 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, and will not be released from quarantine
unless the test results are clear.

Dr.
Chattuparambil confirmed that the hospital remains committed to the
containment of the virus, and is continuing its vigilance.

“Please rest
assured that we are abiding by the highest standards of infection
control and have also taken expert advice on the containment of
COVID-19. However, there are certainly other potential sources of
COVID-19 in the wider Cayman Islands community, and I am urging
everyone to follow standard precautionary measures against
contracting the virus, including staying at home, regular
hand-washing and practicing good respiratory hygiene,” he said.

Dr.
Chattuparambil advised that Health City is continuing to work closely
with Cayman Islands Government health officials on regular updates
regarding the local COVID-19 situation and will issue further updates
as soon as any new information is available.

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