Good Afternoon, 

Today there were 1117 test results received by the Ministry of Health, and one was positive for COVID-19. 

The new positive case is an imported case in a resident having arrived on BA 2233 on 16 September 2020. This case is also a close contact of a known case and has been quarantined since arrival.

Bermuda now has 181 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows:

• 167 have recovered, and
• there are 5 active cases, who are
• all under public health monitoring;
• none are hospitalized or in critical care, and
• the total deceased remains at 9.

The average age of all of our confirmed positive cases is 56 and the age range of all of our positive cases is from 9 to 101 years. 

Overall, 51% of cases were Black, 42% White and 7% other/unknown.

The source of all local cases is as follows:

• 70 are Imported
• 90 are Local transmission, with known contact
• 21 are Local transmission with an unknown contact, and
• none are under investigation

Bermuda’s country status remains “Sporadic Cases”. The seven-day average of our real time reproduction number is less than 1.
Following the departure of Hurricane Teddy from the area, the COVID-19 hotline re-opened today at 9am to ensure Travel Authorizations were processed in a timely manner and to coordinate the rescheduling of testing from Monday. The Perot testing facility also re-opened today at 10am to accommodate persons who missed their COVID-19 test on Monday due to the hurricane. 

I wish to commend the Ministry staff, and the lab, for effectively ‘doubling up’ on testing efforts today to ensure there were no gaps in testing and minimal inconvenience to travelers.

Once again, the Ministry of Health is reminding residents that all restaurant patrons must wear a mask at all times when not seated at their table. This includes entering the premises and exiting, as well as when using the restroom. The wearing of masks in these instances is compulsory and dining establishments are required to enforce these rules. For more information about mask-wearing or anything related to COVID-19 please go to coronavirus.gov.bm.

For our mental and physical health it’s important to be active and social, but we must be clear on the risks involved. I would like to remind people about the activity guide posted on the Government website which details some activities on the high and low risk scale.

For example, low risk activities include walking or biking outdoors, which can be with friends if you stay 6 feet apart. Another low-risk activity is dining outdoors, provided that tables are 6 feet apart and diners avoid high-touch items like menus.

Low to medium risk activities include picnicking outside with friends, so long as you keep 6 feet from others, keep groups small, wear masks, and don’t share food or utensils. 

Going to the beach and swimming in a pool also fall into this category so long as you physical distance from others, avoid locker rooms, and spend most of your time in motion.

Medium risk activities include a children’s playdate outside, so long as you keep groups small, don’t share food and wear masks.

Conversely, activities that are Medium to high risk include socializing outside with a large group. The more people, the more likely you may be exposed. You should physical distance and wear masks.

Going to the gym is also a medium to high risk activity, but there are many things you can and should do to minimize the risk, which are listed on the guidance note for gyms at coronavirus.gov.bm.         

High risk activities include visiting elderly parents or friends who are high-risk for COVID-19. Avoid physical contact with them and meet outside if possible. Don't visit them if you have symptoms, have been exposed, or might be sick. 

Very high risk activities include attending a big party indoors or being in a large gathering or dense crowds. Avoid these at all costs, unless strictly necessary.

It is more important than ever that we each play our part in keeping our community safe. It’s not by luck that we have avoided community spread so far; it is through our hard work and diligent efforts to follow Government guidelines and directions.

And, finally, a request to parents – please remind your children to respect and adhere to physical distancing guidelines when it comes to public transport – whether riding on public transport or waiting for it. 

I end by reminding us all to avoid the 3 Cs: closed spaces, crowded spaces and close-contact settings.

Stay safe, Bermuda, and Thank You.