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CONFIRMED COMMUNITY CASE POSSIBLY FALSE-POSITIVE

COVID - 19 14 Jan, 2021 Follow News

CONFIRMED COMMUNITY CASE POSSIBLY FALSE-POSITIVE

Health authorities in Cayman are reporting that they’ve identified a positive case of COVID-19 in the community.

A person whose test reported positive this week at Doctors Hospital was said to be “at the limits of detection” meaning that their viral load was very low.

It was but was nevertheless detected as the result of the elaborate testing process.

The person was being screened as part of the ongoing programme.

According to the health report, the individual and members of their household travelled from the United Kingdom a few weeks ago and satisfactorily completed the normal quarantine and screening system.

The person and all others in their household are asymptomatic and further samples taken from them returned negative results.

Health officials say it is likely that this case might be “a false positive”, which can occur as a result of cross-reactions with other viruses or genetic material and usually present results near the limits of detection.

In the interests of caution, the household will be isolated and monitored by Public Health, with further testing over the next few days.

Taking aggressive steps to prevent community spread of the virus has been a top priority of local authorities.

The public is being reassured that no further action is required unless contacted directly by Public Health.

Meanwhile, the National COVID-19 voluntary vaccination programme is continuing with over 3,500 persons vaccinated so far.

Cayman received 9,750 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine from the UK on January 5th to be administered in two doses three weeks apart, meaning 4,875 persons will be inoculated from the first batch.

By Tuesday this week, 3,525 persons had been vaccinated with 406 receiving the vaccine on that day; 355 in Grand Cayman and 51 in Little Cayman.

Further shipments of the vaccine are expected in the coming weeks.

There is a strong plea from government and health authorities urging to residents to get vaccinated in the interest of their own health, their loved ones and the wider community.

The Chief Medical Officer, Dr John Lee, reports that of 490 COVID-19 tests reported since this past Tuesday, five were positive.

The individuals are asymptomatic travellers who tested positive following routine screening and will remain in isolation until considered recovered.

Presently there are 1,187 persons in isolation either at a government facility or in their homes as required by the Medical Officer of Health.


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