Vaccinated primary contacts can now continue business as usual

(CMR) The Omicron variant has now become the dominant variant in the Cayman Islands promoting Public Health to update its covid isolation and quarantine requirements. One major change is that vaccinated persons who are primary contacts of COVID-19 positive persons must conduct daily lateral flow testing for 10 days but may continue usual activities.

The procedural changes, which take effect immediately, are intended to minimize the impact on families and businesses of the recent increase in community cases of COVID-19, as the Omicron variant has become the dominant variant in the Cayman Islands.

The updated guidelines are as follows:

Vaccinated Positives

• Fully vaccinated persons who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate for 10 days, with a negative PCR test required on day 11 to exit isolation.

Vaccinated Contacts

• Vaccinated persons who are primary contacts of COVID-19 positive persons must conduct daily lateral flow testing for 10 days, but may continue usual activities

Unvaccinated Positives

• Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated persons who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate for 14 days, with a negative PCR test required on day 15 to exit isolation.

Unvaccinated Contacts

• Unvaccinated persons in the household of a positive must quarantine for 14 days.

“As the pandemic continues, Public Health will adapt its practices and policies to best suit the needs of the community. We ask that the public remain vigilant and in tune with government communication channels so they are following the most current guidance at any given time”, says Interim Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Autilia Newton.

The CMO adds: “We rely on individuals to report any positive LFTs to Public Health, and on the community and their employers to support them in this”.

Dr. Newton reminds the public that individuals who test positive through certified lateral flow testing (LFT), or a home kit, must isolate and take a PCR test with the Health Services Authority at the next available testing clinic. Testing clinics for these persons are held daily from 1-2p.m. at the South Sound Community Centre.

Emphasizing that individuals with travel declarations who test positive while in the Cayman Islands must follow the process outlined above, Health officials note that these individuals, and their primary contacts, must receive a negative PCR exit test from the Public Health Department before they can be permitted aboard a commercial flight departing the Cayman Islands. Those who are positive, would like to leave the country, and are able to secure a private flight, should apply to Travel Cayman for special permission by emailing [email protected].

A Primary Contact is a person who has had the following interactions with a COVID positive person (from two days before and up to 14 days after the case’s positive result):

• face to face contact within six feet of each other for 15 minutes or more (in a single day)
• direct contact (ie: kissing, hugging, shaking hands)
• living in the same household