CAYMAN REACHES 10,000 COVID-19 TESTS

CAYMAN REACHES 10,000 COVID-19 TESTS

Cayman Islands has reached the 10,000 mark in the number of COVID-19 tests being conducted under the intensified screening programme.

The figure, a nominal target, was attained after a further 350 tests were done over the past 24 hours taking the total to 10,174.

Testing is continuing aiming for around 400 per day on average.

The results from the last batch of tests show three additional ‘positives’ pushing the total of COVID-19 cases confirmed in Cayman to 140.

One person was found to be symptomatic and 71 asymptomatic (showing to signs of carrying the virus).

Of the three positive results, one was from contact with an infected person. The other two are believed to have been acquired from community transmission.

There is still currently no hospitalisation due to COVID-19 and the number of recoveries remains at 67.

There are 108 persons under government isolation with a further 242 in home isolation.

Chief Medical Officer Dr John Lee also reported that with the focus now on testing workers in the re-opened construction industry, around 13% or 1,040 have been checked to date of an estimated 8,000 workforce in that sector.

His Excellency Governor Martyn Roper said the 10,000 tests achieved represented a significant milestone.

He said that Cayman was ranking 6th in the world per head of population for its testing programme.

The Governor however urged residents to continue observing the protocols in place despite the results, and urged to continue keeping social distancing, wearing masks as directed and practising good hand hygiene.