As the summer season approaches with increased travel and gatherings, the Ministry of Health’s Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (ESU) wants to remind residents to be mindful of the potential risks associated with COVID-19, during this time of increased COVID-19 transmission in our community.

“While we have made progress in protecting against severe illness from COVID-19, this virus remains present in our community. We will likely always have some cases, and I urge everyone to continue taking precautions to avoid catching and spreading COVID-19,” advised Minister of Health, Kim Wilson.

As of June 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided updated guidance on COVID-19, focusing on vaccination and prevention strategies.

The CDC recommends that everyone stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations. This means receiving all recommended doses, including at least one dose of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine. This updated vaccine targets the XBB lineage of the Omicron variant. The 2023-2024 Covid-19 vaccines are available from the Hamilton Health Centre by appointment and at GP offices. As the Covid-19 virus continues to change, updates to the COVID-19 vaccine can be expected in the future.

People who are 65 years and older and those with chronic diseases are eligible for additional doses. They should consult with their physicians regarding the timing of additional doses to maintain optimal protection. 

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, persons who develop symptoms of or who test positive for a respiratory illness, including fever, cough, and sore throat should stay home and away from others until 24 hours after the fever and other symptoms have resolved (without fever reducing medication). If testing positive for COVID-19, precautions such as physical distancing and mask wearing are recommended for an additional 5 days. 

People at higher risk for severe illness, such as older adults and those with underlying health conditions, should seek healthcare immediately if they develop symptoms. Early testing and treatment can help prevent severe disease.

According to the CDC, maintaining good hygiene practices, including frequent hand washing, wearing masks in crowded indoor settings, and ensuring proper ventilation, can help reduce the spread of COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status.

By following these guidelines, individuals can better protect themselves and their communities from COVID-19. For more detailed information, you can visit the CDC's official pages on COVID-19 vaccination and respiratory virus guidance.

You can find summary updates on COVID-19 and other public health conditions at www.gov.bm/health-information. This page is updated weekly. While it doesn't provide specific COVID numbers, it does indicate if the country is seeing an increase in cases.