“Sadly, we had a coronavirus-related death since our last update,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson. “I extend my heartfelt condolences and prayers to the family and loved ones of the deceased.”

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 3982 test results, and 321 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 8%.

These results are from testing done on:

• Tuesday: 64 positive out of 815 results (7.9% positivity)
• Wednesday:  58 positive out of  672 results (8.6% positivity)
• Thursday: 50 positive out of 646 results (7.7% positivity)
• Friday: 43 positive out of 532 results (8.1% positivity)
• Saturday: 29 positive out of 275 results (10.5% positivity)
• Sunday: 41 positive out of 403 results (10.2% positivity)
• Monday: 36 positive out of 639 results (5.7% positivity)

122 of the new cases are classified as imported with a history of travel in the previous 14 days.

The additional 199 new cases are classified as either local transmission (92) or under investigation (107). 

Additionally, there were 198 recoveries and 1 death.

There are 380 active cases, of which:

·         352 are under public health monitoring; and

·         28 are in hospital, with 0 in intensive care.

Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 16722 coronavirus cases, out of which 16201 have recovered, and sadly there have been 141 coronavirus-related deaths.

The source of all active cases is as follows:

·         129 are Imported

·         121 are classified as local transmission

·         130 are Under Investigation

The source of all confirmed cases is as follows:

·         3395 are Imported

·         12971 are classified as local transmission of which:

o   5605 are Local transmission with known contact/source and

o   7366 are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source

·         356 are Under Investigation

As investigations proceed, transmission categories may change. For age distributions and overall transmission categories, please refer to https://www.gov.bm/coronavirus-covid19-update. The seven-day average of our real-time reproduction number is 0.94.

For information regarding other conditions being reported to the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, please refer to https://www.gov.bm/health-information.

“The pandemic is nowhere near over, and Covid-19 remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, reconfirmed by the World Health Organisation as recently as this week,” said Minister Wilson.

“We must continue to take precautions and avoid the risks of getting infected. Our case numbers are rising, and our test result data is undercounted as most people are testing at home and not reporting their positive status to the Government. There is an increase in people coming through the Emergency Department with the coronavirus, and hospital admissions have also risen. I am strongly encouraging everyone to please continue to follow public health guidance.

Minister Wilson concluded, “We must keep doing our individual part to help stop the coronavirus spread for the benefit of the entire Bermuda community.

“Avoid closed spaces, crowded places and close contact settings. Wear a well-fitting mask. It is an effective form of personal protective equipment, which is easy, and everyone can do it. Masks are required in all health service settings, for travel on public transportation, taxis, limos and minibuses, as well as inside at L. F. Wade International Airport and our Corrections Facilities.

“Also, practice good hand hygiene, and maintain physical distance. Importantly, ensure there is proper ventilation when you are indoors. Fresh air ventilation is essential for any building or internal space and protects all of us from infections such as COVID. We should all increase fresh air ventilation wherever possible when indoors. As a further reminder, mask-wearing is mandatory in all Government buildings and Government offices.”