There were 3,234 test results received by the Ministry of Health since the last update and 69 were positive for COVID-19, yielding a positivity rate of 2.1%. 

33 of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact as associated with known cases. The additional 36 new cases are classified as under investigation. These cases are among residents with no currently identified link to other known cases or history of travel in the past 14 days.

Since the last update, there were 41 recoveries and two deaths.

There are currently 656 active cases, of which:

·         634 are under public health monitoring and

·         22 are in hospital with 5 in intensive care.

Since March 2020, Bermuda has 1469 total confirmed positive cases, out of these, 799 have recovered, and 14 people have sadly succumbed to COVID-19.

The mean age of all confirmed positive cases is 41 years (median: 39 years) and the ages range from less than 1 year to greater than 100 years.

The mean age of all currently active cases is 40 years (median: 39 years) and the ages range from less than 10 years (age group: 0-9 years) to greater than 80 years (age group: 80-100 years).

The mean age of all hospitalized cases is 60 years (median: 57 years) and the ages range from less than 30 years (age group: 20-29 years) to greater than 80 years (age group: 80-100 years).

The mean age of all deceased cases is 75 years (median: 77 years) and the ages range from less than 60 years (age group: 50-59 years) to greater than 80 years (age group: 80-100 years).

The source of all cases is as follows:

·         245 are Imported

·          956 are classified as local transmission of which:

o   864 are Local transmission with known contact/source and

o   92 are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source

·          268 are Under Investigation

As investigations proceed, transmission categories may change. Today’s update has 22 cases moving from under investigation to local transmission with known contact/source.

Of the over 200,000 test results reported, the mean age of all persons tested is 43 years (median:  42 years) and the ages range from less than 1 year to greater than 100 years.

The seven-day average of our real time reproduction number is above 1 (1.38).

Bermuda’s current WHO country status is “Community Transmission”.

Since 19 March 2021, there have been 69 emergency room visits associated with the current outbreak among persons with COVID-19.

The Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson today stated, “The number of people testing positive for the coronavirus remains high and the public is reminded they should limit their social bubbles to their household and interact with others as little as possible. It is important to remember to wear a mask whenever you are out in public, maintain physical distancing and wash and sanitizer your hands regularly.

“Anyone who is in quarantine must not physically go to work, must not go to grocery stores and where possible work from home. Employers are reminded the law dictates that employees should continue to work from home, where possible. Employers cannot mandate that employees get tested for the coronavirus.

“My ministry is hearing stories of employers who are demanding that their employees who are in quarantine get tested before 14 days, presumably in an effort to get them released from quarantine. As a reminder, if someone has been told to get tested on Day 14, then that is when they will be tested. Not before. There is a reason for this: the incubation period for COVID-19 is up to 14 days.”

Minister Wilson continued, “The Oral Health Clinic at the Hamilton Health Centre is currently closed, however the St. George’s Clinic is open for patient oral health emergencies.

“The public is reminded that if they have been tested, results will become available within 48 hours. Most times the results are received before then, however the Call Centre and the Molecular Diagnostic Lab are receiving queries within a few hours of people taking their tests. Those who have taken their test are urged to be patient and if persons must call to get their results, they should contact their doctor in the first instance, not the Call Centre or the Lab.

“The key point is to be patient. The lab is processing hundreds of tests a day and calls to the lab cause unnecessary delays”

Minister Wilson concluded, “As a reminder, walk-in vaccinations are available at Bermuda College between 8am and 9am for people over 65 years old only. The ministry has received reports of people younger than 65 showing up to be vaccinated. If you are not 65 years old and would like to get vaccinated, go to coronavirus.gov.bm and register, if you have not already done so.

“Pop up testing started again today at Horseshoe Bay Beach and will continue on Wednesday 7 April between 4:30pm and 7:30pm.”