Chief Medical Officer (Interim) Dr. Autilia Newton reported 52 new cases of COVID-19, three in travellers and 49 from the community, on Wednesday, 22 December. Public Health reported 682 PCR tests were conducted on the previous day.
The Cayman Islands recorded two additional COVID deaths on Tuesday 21 December, bringing the total number of deaths related to COVID-19 to 11. Of the total deaths, two were in 2020 and prior to the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Of the remaining cases, only two were fully vaccinated. These persons had severe comorbidities.
There were 10 newly suspected Omicron cases on Wednesday 22 December, bringing the total suspected cases of the variant to 54. Genomic sequencing of potential Omicron cases is underway. The Public Health Department will provide the public with an update within the next few days.
To date, there have been four confirmed cases of the Omicron variant found in the Cayman Islands.
These results left the number of active cases of COVID-19 in the Cayman Islands at 3,516 as of midnight (12am) on Wednesday, 22 December. Active cases are monitored by Public Health, and include both cases found in the community and linked to travel. The total number of cases recorded since the start of the pandemic stood at 8,326 at the same time.
The total number of persons in isolation linked solely to community transmission at midnight on Wednesday, 22 December was 3,483.
In addition, 6 COVID-19 patients were hospitalised in the Cayman Islands as at midnight on Wednesday, 22 December.
The Public Health Department also confirmed that on Wednesday, 22 December the total positive lateral flow tests, since the introduction of the lateral flow test programme in the Cayman Islands, reached 2,182. These are included in the total positive numbers given above.
There was one new case of COVID-19 in the Sister Islands. To date, there have been 123 total cases recorded in the Sister Islands, with 120 having recovered. Out of the total number of cases in the Sister Islands, 64 were fully vaccinated, six were partially vaccinated, and 53 were unvaccinated.
There have been 131,756 COVID-19 vaccinations administered in the Cayman Islands. To date, there have been 58,666 people (83% of 71,106) who had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Meanwhile, 57,001 individuals (80%) had completed the two-dose course.
Additionally, 16,089 people (representing 23% of the total population) had received a third or booster dose up to that point.
Dr Newton confirms that health officials are nearing the end of a review of data generated at different points across the health system. The report aimed to reduce duplication, promote consistency, protect the integrity and enhance the usefulness of COVID- related data. It is expected that changes, based on recommendations by a visiting epidemiologist, will be rolled out by the end of the year. Until then the Ministry of Health asks for the patience of the public.
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