CAYMAN
ISLANDS (March 23, 2020) – Health City Cayman Islands is confirming
that two out of six additional samples submitted for COVID-19 testing
are positive for the virus.

This
brings the new total of COVID-19 infections among Health City samples
to four, with 43 samples being negative.

The
Health City samples were sent for testing following the confirmation
of the Cayman Islands' first COVID-19 positive patient. That patient,
a 68-year-old cruise traveler, was an emergency patient being treated
for cardiac arrest at the tertiary care hospital. He later developed
symptoms of COVID-19, was tested and found to be positive. He
subsequently passed away from complications of the virus and
underlying health issues.

The
initial patient tested positive on March 12, and 41 samples from
Health City were sent for testing at that time. The additional six
were sent in a subsequent batch very shortly after.

The
results of the additional tests run by the Cayman Islands Health
Services Authority (HSA) were announced at Cayman Islands Government
press conferences held on Monday, March 23 by Chief Medical Officer
Dr. John Lee.

These
47 individuals, which included medical staff members, their family
members and other individuals considered to be at risk for infection
were immediately quarantined as part of the hospital’s efforts to
contain the virus.

All
will remain in quarantine until their test results are confirmed by
the
Caribbean Public Health Agency (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 was received within a few days.

“We are of course disappointed that two out
of the additional six samples tested returned positive results.
Please rest assured that these individuals have been quarantined and
have received the highest level of care. All are doing well.
Additionally, the infection rate remains low with four out of 47
samples sent being positive. And we are secure in the knowledge that
we took the appropriate and correct steps to contain the virus, which
is actually still borne out by the final test results,” Dr. Binoy
Chattuparambil, Clinical Director of Health City Cayman Islands said.

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. I would like to continue to urge everyone to follow
standard precautionary measures against contracting the virus,
including regular hand-washing and practicing good respiratory
hygiene,” he said.

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.

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