Thank you, Premier. Good afternoon everyone.
I begin my remarks today by offering my sincere condolences to all of the families who have sadly lost loved ones recently in circumstances related to the coronavirus.
While our surge in positive coronavirus cases has slowed down, it is not all good news; we have had a particularly rough April, many people were seriously ill and several died. The families of the sick and the deceased and their loved ones remain in our thoughts and prayers.
The Ministry of Health received 1204 test results since the last update, and three (3) were positive for coronavirus. This gives a test positivity rate of 0.2%.
Two of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact as they are associated with known cases.
The additional new case is classified as under investigation. This case is a resident with no currently identified link to other known cases or history of travel in the past 14 days.
Additionally, since the last update, there were 46 recoveries and no deaths.
There are currently 340 active cases, of which;
· 326 are under public health monitoring and;
· 14 are in the hospital, with two (2) in critical care.
Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 2432 total confirmed cases of COVID-19; out of those, 2062 persons have recovered, and sadly, 30 COVID related deaths.
The source of all cases is as follows:
· 294 are Imported
· 1777 are classified as local transmission of which:
o 1465 are Local transmission with known contact/source and
o 312 are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source
· 361 are Under Investigation
As investigations proceed, transmission categories may change.
The seven-day average of our real-time reproduction number is 0.52.
Bermuda's current WHO country status remains "Community Transmission".
As you can see from this update, the targets set by the Premier some three weeks ago have been largely met:
· the 14 day average of unlinked cases is 4, and the target set was less than 7,
· the 14 day average of the positivity rate is 1.0%, and the target was less than 1%, and,
· the 7 day average of our real-time reproduction number is 0.52, and the target was less than 1.
As announced in last week’s press conference, with the indicators moving in the right direction, we will move to Phase 2 on our Roadmap to Re-opening on Sunday, 9 May.
At that time, new regulations will take effect.
· A curfew will be in place every day from 10 pm to 5 am
· Large gatherings will be allowed, with a maximum of 10 persons gathered or hosted. The Minister of National Security will have the ability to issue exemptions to the maximum gathering size in exceptional circumstances.
· We are removing the requirement to work remotely. However, remote working is strongly encouraged.
· Schools will open on Monday as previously announced and the Minister of Education is here to provide further information.
· Daycare facilities can re-open, and I note interventions are already in place to address issues identified during recent outbreaks.
· Retail will be allowed to re-open at 20% capacity.
· Grocery stores will also be allowed to open at 20% capacity, and we will eliminate the current alphabetical system.
· Restaurants can resume outdoor dining with table service only, in addition to their takeout and delivery services. There will be a maximum of 6 persons per table, with tables spaced 6ft apart and no milling about and/or dancing.
· Bars and Sports or Members Clubs are allowed to open outdoor areas only and, like restaurants, there will be table service only, with a maximum of 6 persons per table and tables spaced 6ft apart.
No indoor dining is allowed at restaurants, bars or clubs.
· Nightclubs will remain closed.
· Weddings, funerals and religious services restrictions are as follows: indoor services are allowed with a capacity of 20% up to a maximum of 25 persons; outdoor services are allowed with a maximum of 25 persons. Congregations and choirs must wear masks, and maintain 6ft distance.
There will be no wakes or receptions which do not comply with the maximum gathering size restriction, which is 10.
· Gyms will be allowed to re-open with equipment spaced 10ft apart. Staff, personal trainers and patrons must wear a mask and maintain 6ft physical distance. No indoor activities are allowed that require masks to be removed. No high intensity, aerobic, close proximity activities, such as spin classes, are allowed indoors in limited ventilation settings. Outdoor classes must maintain 6ft physical distance between participants.
· Recreational boating will be allowed between 5 am and 8 pm, however, raft-ups are not allowed.
· Commercial boats, also known as ‘Island Boats’, will be allowed to operate with limited capacity in accordance with Marine & Ports’ licensing.
· Personal Services such as barbershops, beauty salons, spas, massage therapists will be allowed to re-open. However, they are prohibited from providing services that require face masks to be removed.
· Event facilities, i.e. movie theatres, library, galleries, etc., can re-open with a capacity of 20% up to a maximum of 25 persons.
As outlined, Phase 2 is a gentle re-opening which will see the end of restrictions on household mixing as well as the re-opening of schools, leisure facilities, churches, gyms, outdoor bars and dining. Limited personal care services will be permitted, and our curfew has changed.
All of the changes to restrictions and current guidance will be posted on the Government website coronavirus.gov.bm.
As I said earlier, the good news is that our number of COVID-19 cases is on the decline and our indicators are moving in the right direction. However, our country status is still ‘community transmission’ – and that frames our re-opening strategy. It is still important to get tested, and it is essential to get vaccinated.
And we still should avoid mixing households. Avoid being too close to other people for more than a short amount of time, as much as you can. The risk of infection increases the closer you are to another person with the virus and with the amount of time you spend in close contact.
If we do not adhere to public health requirements, we will be right back where we were a few weeks ago - with increased cases of COVID-19, increased hospitalisations and increased deaths.
This transition to Phase 2 is not quite our return to “life as normal”. We will get there eventually if we all do our part.
I can’t stress enough how important it is to continue to wear a mask in all indoor settings. Your mask must safely cover your nose and mouth.
Wear your mask every time you visit the grocery store or any retail store, while taking public transportation or taxis, and for workers at all workplace premises…unless, of course, you are working from home.
Delivery personnel MUST wear a mask when going about their business, in accordance with current regulations.
There are exceptions to this guidance. You can remove your mask while engaging in strenuous exercise outdoors, such as running and jogging, but you must put it back on once you have completed your exercise if you plan to be around others outside of your home.
Masks and face coverings primarily protect others, not the wearer, against the spread of infection. They cover the nose and mouth, which are the primary confirmed sources of transmission of the coronavirus.
Remember, I wear a mask to protect you; you wear a mask to protect me.
I also want to remind everyone to keep in their bubbles, or more specifically, your immediate household. Though we have lifted the prohibition of mixing, we still must remember that we are in community transmission and mixing of households should be kept to a minimum i.e., small, intimate bubbles. Whether at home or at work. Your bubble is not always as small as you think it is. You cannot be sure who those people in your bubble have been around.
Moving around from household to household between relatives, for various reasons, getting exposed to the virus in one house and passing it on to others in another house is how we get community spread. Keep your bubble small.
You must remember, day to day, some people have many interactions, and behind each interaction is a separate household of people.
Even if you are working outdoors, you must maintain physical distancing to protect yourself and other people.
Indoor workplace settings should be rearranged if that is what is needed to practice proper physical distancing.
If you suspect that you have been exposed to the virus, the worst thing you can do is move somewhere else and spread the virus. The best thing to do if you think you have been exposed is to stay put and isolate yourself from others.
As I have said before, now is not the time to be irresponsible, gather in groups outside of your immediate household, or have parties. We must all continue to do our part to stop any community spread.
I will now provide an update on our vaccine programme…
We have completed the sixteenth full week of vaccinations. From January 11 to May 1, 2021, Bermuda has administered a total of 58,193 vaccinations – a figure that rises to 60,207 (which is 52% vaccinated) if you include vaccinations administered from Sunday to Wednesday of this week as well! – all of which is excellent news.
Of the 58,193 vaccinations administered for the period we are reporting on, which ends May 1;
- 52% are women, and,
- 48% are men.
Significant progress has been made in vaccinating our population and, especially, our most vulnerable.
74% of all residents over the age of 65 years have had at least one vaccination with 64% being fully immunised.
To date, 51% of the population has been vaccinated (with 1 dose), and 39% of the population has been immunised (with 2 doses).
The Bermuda College vaccination centre will continue to be open for walk-ins from 9 am to 1 pm daily. For those with appointments, the vaccination hotline is doing phone follow up calls to confirm those appointments as well as sending emails.
For those persons who have registered and are waiting for their first appointment, you will receive the information by email. In both cases, please read your confirmation emails carefully to ensure that you get the correct information regarding the time and location of your vaccine appointment.
Additionally, to increase the avenues available to members of the public who wish to protect themselves and others by getting vaccinated, the “Close to Home” Vaccination Initiative will continue in the following locations, from 10 am until 2 pm:
· Saturday, 8 May at the National Sports Centre in Devonshire.
· Tuesday, 11 May at the Shelly Bay Marketplace
· Thursday, 13 May at the TN Tatem Middle School
These sites are for people who have not yet registered for the COVID-19 vaccine, do not have access to the internet, and prefer to register in person or have additional questions about the COVID-19 vaccine.
Our current supplies of Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines expire at the end of June. For Pfizer, which requires a three week period between doses, we anticipate the last first dose will be administered on June 8. For AstraZeneca, the period between doses can be as great as 12 weeks, so we will continue to administer that vaccine until June 30, and administer the second dose when we receive our next COVAX elivery. I can assure you, we have the capacity to vaccinate anyone who wants to get vaccinated and plenty of supply to reach community protection.
Before I end, the Emotional Wellbeing Hotline is 543-1111 for support from 5 pm-9 pm, Monday to Saturday. Talk to people about how you are feeling and what your concerns are. We know this has been a very difficult 13 months. We care about your well-being and strongly encourage anyone feeling anxiety, stress or if you are simply emotionally drained, to call the Emotional Wellbeing Hotline. Again, the number is 543-1111.
`Each of us has a role to play in stopping the spread of the coronavirus. Follow Public Health guidelines, wear a mask, practice good hand hygiene, maintain physical distance. And download the WeHealth Bermuda app. Do the research, talk with your doctor and make an informed decision about getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
Please, everyone, remember that we have an individual and collective responsibility. We have to be extremely careful going forward – Do your part to end the community spread of the coronavirus. Remember to avoid the three Cs - closed spaces, crowded spaces and close-contact settings.
Stay safe, Bermuda, and Thank You.