Black Immigrant Daily News

The Public Health department has now published its weekly Public Health Spotlight on Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases. A summary of findings is set out below.

Monkeypox

In 2022, to date there have been 37,736 laboratory-confirmed cases of monkeypox reported to WHO from 93 Member States (data as of 17 August 2022).

Over the last week, the number of confirmed cases that have been detected has increased by 20.3%, with most new cases being detected in the Region of the Americas (56%) and the European Region (42%).

During the past week, two countries in Europe have reported their first case. There have been 12 deaths reported during this outbreak to date, mostly in the African Region with two in the Americas (Brazil and Ecuador).

Cayman Islands

There continue to be no known cases of monkeypox virus detected in the Cayman Islands, and there are no suspected cases currently being investigated. Any individuals who notice possible symptoms or signs should seek immediate medical attention. Testing for monkeypox can be conducted in the Cayman Islands to enable early detection and diagnosis.

Arthritis

Arthritis refers to pain and inflammation in a joint, and the common symptoms include stiffness, swelling and a reduced range of motion in joints. Arthritis can occur in different forms and be due to different reasons. Common types are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis, which is a form of Autoimmune Inflammatory arthritis. Arthritis can occur in individuals of all ages. In the US, arthritis is reported to be the leading cause of disability.

During the recent 2021 Census, after diabetes, arthritis was the second highest medically diagnosed illness with 1,439 cases reported (22.2 per 1,000 population). The number of females reporting arthritis, at 1,031, was more than double the number of males, at 408. Part of this difference may be explained by differing health-seeking behaviour and health reporting among males and females.

COVID-19 – Epidemiological Week 327 – 14 August 2022 (Data as of 18-08-2022)

International Situation

Globally, the number of detected and reported COVID-19 cases has decreased by 19% last week, compared to the week before. Reported COVID-19 deaths remained stable over the past week.

Cayman Islands Local Trends

The number of detected cases remained stable over the past week and PCR testing increased slightly. During Epi Week 32 there were 255 cases detected and the case rate was 368 cases per 100,000 population, the same as the previous week. There were notably more female than male cases detected. Test positivity was 39% during Epi Week 32, which has decreased slightly from 42% in the previous week. The testing rate has increased by 11% from 853 tests per 100,000 population to 948 tests per 100,000 population.

Hospital Admissions

Eight new hospital admissions were registered during Epi Week 32, remaining stable from the previous week. Of the eight new admissions, six were admitted due to COVID-19 morbidity and two patients were detected on screening. A total of 16 patients required inpatient treatment, which was an increase of 45% from 11 during the previous week.

Vaccination

During Epi Week 32, there were 62 adults who received a vaccine (23 first dose and 39 second dose) and 135 adults who received a booster (40 third dose and 95 fourth dose).

Key Message

COVID-19 case detection and testing continue to decline in the Cayman Islands. Measures to reduce your 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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Black Immigrant Daily News

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Bandits tied up and robbed parish priest Fr Roger Paponette at the San Rafael RC Church, Cumuto Tamana Road, on Thursday.

A statement by the Archdiocese of Port of Spain said Paponette was robbed of a vehicle and personal valuables at the presbytery.

On Friday RC priest Fr Robert Christo told Newsday, “He’s doing well, thank God, and the police are investigating as much as they could.”

Parish secretary Melissa Hobson-Garcia said the incident has left Paponette a bit “shaken up” emotionally, but unharmed.

Around 1 am, Paponette heard a loud banging at his bedroom door. The perpetrators entered and flashed bright lights in his face. He was tied up and his belongings taken away.

He was able to untie himself soon after the thieves left, and calles La Horquetta police.

The vehicle has since been recovered.

The statement said, “The RC Church of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain asks the faithful to keep Fr Roger Paponette and the community in prayer.”

Christo said there had been similar incidents in the past.

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Black Immigrant Daily News

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Black Immigrant Daily News

A teenager is one of several people nursing injuries, as the Police investigate seven separate wounding incidents – five of which occurred on the same day, Tuesday, August 16.

The 19-year-old is the most recent victim, however, having being injured on Thursday, August 18, shortly after 6 p.m., in Potters.

It is alleged that he is hospitalized after being chopped multiple times about the body and in the neck and head.

The incident allegedly stemmed from a feud between the youth and another man.

In one of the earlier woundings, a Golden Grove man reported to the Police that he had been slashed with a knife, on the forehead and right index finger.

This offence reportedly occurred at about 8:45 p.m. on August 15, after the victim told his attacker to leave the compound of the KOB2 Supermarket on Fort Road.

As a result of this instruction, an argument reportedly ensued between the two, during which the alleged perpetrator attacked and wounded the Golden Grove man.

The victim was subsequently transported to the hospital by the Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

Meanwhile, another stabbing incident involved a Vernons resident and a Grays Farm man.

Reportedly, the attacker is the ex-boyfriend of the victim’s current girlfriend, and he is alleged to have used a knife to wound the man on his right instep during an altercation.

It is also alleged that the perpetrator beat the victim’s seven-year-old daughter with a 2 x 4 piece of wood on her left hand.

The two victims were treated at the hospital for the injuries they sustained during the incident.

A search was carried out for the offender, but without success, the Police say.

In another stabbing incident on Tuesday, at about 7 a.m., a Potters Village man reported that he had been stabbed with a knife by a Fort Road woman, the mother of his child.

Reportedly the man and his girlfriend had a domestic dispute over a message she read on his phone; and, in the altercation, he was stabbed twice to his lower back.

He, too, had to be treated at the hospital for his injuries.

In a separate instance, hospital officials reportedly telephoned the Police and reported that a young man with a bleeding wound to his head had presented himself for treatment. The man was also bleeding from his ears.

Reports are that the patient – a Loblolly Hill, Grays Farm, man – had been assaulted by a young man with a piece of 2 x 4 lumber, which resulted in a wound to the right side of his head and cuts to his left ear.

It is unclear what sparked this incident, which occurred in Grays Farm at about 3:46 p.m.

Another stabbing took place at 10:15 p.m. that night on Bennett Street, Villa.

Reports are that a McKinnons man had to be rushed to the Emergency Room with a bleeding wound to the left side of his chest and one to his forehead.

However, a source says the victim gave only his name to the Police; he has refused to give them any information about the incident.

His injuries, according to a doctor, are not serious, and he reportedly is in a stable condition.

In yet another domestic dispute, a 21-year-old Bendals Village woman reported that her 27-year-old boyfriend of the same address had assaulted her – punching her in the face and biting her on the chest.

Reportedly, the young woman had been at home, having a phone conversation with a friend, which apparently irritated her boyfriend. A scuffle occurred, during which he allegedly inflicted the injuries.

The Police conducted a search for him and discovered that he, too, had been injured. He alleged that, during the altercation, the girlfriend had bitten him on the left hand.

The pair had to seek medical attention for their injuries.

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