Education Minister confirmed as COVID positive

(CMR) Hon. Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, MP for Cayman Brac East is currently in isolation due to recently having been tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19. This was confirmed earlier Monday by Premier Panton via a press release from his office.

Minister O’Connor-Connolly was one of the last PACT members to get vaccinated against the coronavirus in August but stated that she made the decision after speaking with the Premier and having a close friend who had been sick with the virus die.

Describing herself as a “late convert” she expressed concerns about possible side effects and her own personal medical issues. After speaking with three medical doctors she decided to get the jab.

He shared that:

COVID-19 remains very present in our community with the Omicron variant now recognised as the dominant strain. It has undoubtedly affected so many of us. As you may already be aware, another member of the PACT Government has tested positive for COVID-19.

Hon. Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, MP for Cayman Brac East is currently in isolation due to recently having been tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19. I would like to assure the public that Minister O’Connor-Connolly is doing well and so far only experiencing mild symptoms. She will remain in isolation until cleared in accordance with Public Health protocols.

We know from all the research around the world that COVID-19 is not a fair fight for those who are unvaccinated. We have seen that both the rate of hospitalisations and deaths are driven largely by unvaccinated individuals. Fortunately, Minister O’Connor-Connolly is fully vaccinated.

On behalf of our colleagues and myself, I wish her a speedy recovery.

The goal of our Government is to protect our community, protect our healthcare system and slow the rate of transmission to ensure our schools and our economy can continue. In order to do this we must continue to test, report positives, isolate when positive and get vaccinated. Please take the COVID-19 vaccine, including your booster as soon as possible.

To the people of the Cayman Islands, I ask that you take the necessary safety precautions and follow the protocols and regulations as they are in place to protect our community.