Epi. Week 31: Health spotlight on COVID, Monkey Pox, Alzheimer’s Loop Cayman Islands

Black Immigrant Daily News

The Public Health department published its weekly Public Health Spotlight on Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases on Thursday, August 11, 2022. Below are the key messages on Monkeypox, Alzheimer’s disease and COVID-19.

Monkeypox

According to Public Health, internationally, 29,833 confirmed cases of monkeypox have been reported, from 90 different countries (data as of August 10, 2022).

Over the past week, the number of monkeypox cases reported has increased by 25 per cent, and in the America’s the number of monkeypox cases reported increased by 41 per cent.

The total number of monkeypox deaths reported to WHO is 11. There were four deaths reported during the past week; one in Brazil, two in Spain and one in India.

Jamaica has reported three cases of monkeypox to date and the first two had recently travelled. However, the third case was locally-acquired, which means the individual had not recently travelled abroad and had no epidemiological link to the previous two cases.

There continue to be no known cases of monkeypox virus detected in the Cayman Islands, and there are no suspected cases currently being investigated.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Regarding Alzheimer’s, Public Health explained that Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease, which affects memory and cognitive skills. In the early stages, it can present as mild memory loss particularly for recently learned information, and in late stage can develop where individuals are unable to manage a conversation. Activities such as driving a car, cooking a meal or paying the bills can prove challenging to individuals with Alzheimer’s.It typically occurs among individuals over the age of 65 years. There is currently no cure available. Globally, Alzheimer’s disease is attributed to be the cause for 60-70 per cent of dementia cases.

According to the recent 2021 Census in the Cayman Islands, 193 Alzheimer cases were reported in Cayman which was slightly higher in females than males, 111 cases compared to 82 cases. This equates to an incidence of 3 cases per 100,000 population.

The most commonly reported difficulties in everyday life among individuals with Alzheimer’s were remembering or concentrating, walking or climbing stairs, and washing all over.

There are no known approaches that have been shown effective in preventing Alzheimer’s disease. However, some factors such as increased physical activity, blood pressure control (among those with high blood pressures) and cognitive training may reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

COVID-19 – Epidemiological Week 31July 31 – 6 August 6, 2022 (Data as of 08-08-2022)

International Situation

The reported weekly cases globally remained stable during Epi Week 31, and the reported weekly number of deaths decreased by 9 per cent.

Cayman Islands Local Trends

Detection of cases continues to decline by 25 per cent with 240 cases detected in Epi Week 31 compared to 322 in the previous week.

The case rate has fallen to 345 per 100,000 population from 464 cases per 100,000 population.

PCR testing has decreased by 22 per cent with a testing rate of 785 tests per 100,000.

Genomic sequencing data indicates the dominant variant circulating is BA.5 and its subvariants (data from early July).

Hospital Admissions

Eight new hospital admissions were registered during Epi Week 31, the same as the previous week. Of the nine new admissions, 4 were admitted due to COVID-19 morbidity and 4 patients were detected on screening. A total of 11 patients required inpatient treatment, the same as the previous week.

Vaccination

During Epi Week 31, there were 88 adults who received a COVID-19 vaccine (34 first dose and 54 second dose) and 10 children (8 first dose and 2 second dose).

COVID-19 trend

COVID-19 case detection and testing continue to decline in the Cayman Islands. However, Public Health is reminding members of the public that measures to reduce their risk of catching COVID-19 and passing it on to others include good hand hygiene, staying home when symptomatic or positive and getting your booster vaccination.

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