The Cayman Islands has reached its aspired benchmark and target for herd immunity and border reopening.
On Wednesday, June 3, 2021, the Cayman Islands reached a near 70 per cent vaccination rate after vaccinating 45,195 people since the vaccination programme began on January 7.
The country implemented a strong promotional tactic to encourage 70 per cent population to take up the Pfizer/BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine, which culminated with the mandated inoculation of work permit holders.
Currently, 60 per cent, or 38,775 people, are fully vaccinated. The country might have to wait until the end of the month for the 6,420 who have only had one jab to receive their second jab and to meet the target of 70 per cent who are fully inoculated.
The UK will be sending more vaccines via a British Airways flight which arrives on June 16 and it is expected that the Cayman Islands will soon receive UK approval to begin vaccinating 12 to15-year-olds.
What happens at this point is yet to be seen, but based on prior statements made by the premier, Wayne Panton, the Cayman Islands is set to open borders in a significant way. Many are speculating that the quarantine period might be initially reduced from 10 to five days for vaccinated travelers, but this has not been officially confirmed.
In more good news, The Chief Medical Officer, Dr John Lee, reports that 464 COVID-19 tests have been carried out since this was last reported on Wednesday, June 2, 2021. There were no positive test results. There have been 584 positive cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
There are currently nine asymptomatic cases on the island and no symptomatic cases. A total of 99,199 tests have been run since the onset of the pandemic.