The Ministry of Health received 1587 test results since the last update and 71 were positive for COVID-19, yielding a test positivity rate of 4.5%

Three of the new cases are classified as imported:

·         One non-resident who arrived on Jet Blue B62879 from Boston on 6 April 2021 and tested positive on their arrival test; and

·         Two residents who arrived on British Airways BA 159 from London on 6 April 2021 and tested positive on their arrival test.

18 of the new cases are classified as Local Transmission with known contact as associated with known cases. The additional 50 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.

Additionally, since the last update, there were 29 recoveries and no deaths.

There are 779 active cases, of which:

·         753 are under public health monitoring and

·         26 are in hospital with six in intensive care;

Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 1657 total confirmed cases of COVID-19, out of these, 864 persons have recovered, and 14 persons have sadly succumbed to COVID-19.

The mean age of all confirmed positive cases is 41 years (median: 40 years) and the ages range from less than 1 year to greater than 100 years.

The mean age of all currently active cases is 41 years (median: 40 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 63 years (median: 61 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:

·         255 are Imported

·         1042 are classified as local transmission of which:

o   948 are Local Transmission with known contact/source and

o   94 are Local Transmission with an unknown contact/source

·         360 are Under Investigation.

As investigations proceed, transmission categories may change. Today’s update has three 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 (1.10).

Bermuda’s current WHO country status is Community Transmission.

The Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson stated, “The number of people who test positive for the coronavirus remains high, as do the number of people who are being admitted to the Hospital. If you haven’t already done so, register to get vaccinated. Being immunized won’t necessarily stop you from getting the coronavirus however it greatly lessens the severity of the disease and the symptoms.

“It is extremely important for everyone to continue to follow Public Health guidelines. The symptoms of the UK variant seem different from the symptoms we have identified for the earlier strain of the COVID-19 virus.

“Symptoms of the UK variant tend to include cough, tiredness, headache, muscle ache and sore throat. If you experience any of these symptoms please contact your doctor and make an appointment to get tested. Likewise, if you have been in contact with someone who has these symptoms, make an appointment to get tested.

“People who have been tested, should expect to receive their results within 48 hours. Often results are sent in much less time. However if you have not received your results, your first call should be to your doctor’s office. Your doctor will be able to advise you of the results, if they have been received and give guidance on what you should do.

“The key point is to be patient. Do not call the COVID-19 helpline or the Molecular Diagnostic Lab. The lab is processing hundreds of tests a day and calls to the lab looking for individual results cause unnecessary delays.

“Walk-in vaccinations are available at Bermuda College between 8am and 9am for people over 65 years old only. If you are not 65 years old and would like to get vaccinated, go to coronavirus.gov.bm and register.

“If you have been told to quarantine, you will be tested on Day 14 or later. You will not be tested on the same schedule as a traveler. You will not be tested on Day 4, Day 8 and Day 14.

“You will be tested 14 days after your exposure to someone who tested positive or as directed by the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit. If you are in mandatory quarantine, you cannot leave your house. You must stay inside your house. You cannot go to the grocery store. You cannot go to work. You cannot go to the laundry. You cannot go to the gym. You should find trusted family and friends to help you with grocery shopping and to pick up medications and other necessities.”

Minister Wilson concluded, “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. If you haven’t already, register to get vaccinated.”