Good Day Members of the Media,
There were 498 test results received by the Ministry of Health yesterday (1 December 2020), and five were positive for COVID-19.
Two of the new cases (both asymptomatic) are classified as imported with details as follows:
- 1 resident who arrived on AA 308 from Miami on 30 November 2020 and tested positive on their arrival test, having had a negative pre-arrival test
- 1 resident who arrived on DL 584 from Atlanta on 30 November 2020 and tested positive on their arrival test, having had a negative pre-arrival test
Two of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact with details as follows:
- 1 symptomatic resident who was under quarantine as a close contact (workplace) of a known case and
- 1 symptomatic non-resident household contact
One of the new cases is classified as under investigation with no identified links to travel or other known cases or clusters. This individual is symptomatic.
Bermuda now has 267 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows:
· there are 43 active cases, of which
· 42 are under public health monitoring, and
· One is hospitalized. None are in critical care;
· a total of 215 have recovered, and
· the total deceased remains 9.
The average age of all of our confirmed positive cases is 51 years and the age range of all of our positive cases is from 0 to 101 years.
To protect privacy and confidentiality, the age of the hospitalized case will not be provided.
The average age of all deceased cases is 74 years and the age range is 57 to 91 years.
The source of all cases is as follows:
· 124 are Imported
· 114 are Local transmission, with known contact/source
· 21 are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source, and
· 8 are under investigation
It should be noted that as investigations proceed, transmission categories may change.
The seven-day average of our real time reproduction number is greater than 1 (1.18) and Bermuda’s current country status is “Clusters of Cases”.
The Minister of Health the Hon. Kim Wilson JP MP said: "As I stated in my press conference remarks last night, health regulations have been amended to introduce fines for persons not wearing a mask in accordance with the law.
A person who now fails to wear a mask when one is required commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to:
a)a fine of $500, in respect of a first offence
b)a fine of $1,000, for a second or subsequent offence.
"If anyone is confused regarding when to wear a mask, please visit coronavirus.gov.bm and read the guidance regarding mask-wearing. To be clear, if physical distance of 6ft (2 meters) cannot be maintained from others you must wear a mask. Unless:
o You are at home;
o You are with members of your household;
o While eating or drinking;
o Doing high exertion exercise (see gym guidance); or
o A child under the age of 2 (see guidance).
This mask requirement includes, but is not limited to:
- Workers at all workplace premises - in accordance with workplace guidance
- Passengers onboard public transport or in taxis must wear masks
- Any person visiting any establishment (indoor or outdoor) (e.g. grocery store, shop, bank, office, etc) unless otherwise allowed by specific guidance (e.g. dining, gyms).
- In public places (streets or parks) when other persons are present and 6 feet distance cannot be maintained."