"Bermuda has recorded one more coronavirus related death this week. I extend my sincere condolences to the family and friends who are mourning this loss," said the Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson, JP, MP.
Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received5419 test results, and 19 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 0.4%.
These results are from testing done on:
• Monday: 1 positive out of 1615 results (0.1% positivity)
• Tuesday: 8 positive out of 1759 results (0.5% positivity)
• Wednesday: 10 positive out of 2045 results (0.5% positivity)
5 of the new cases are classified as imported with a history of travel in the previous 14 days.
The additional 14 new cases are classified as either local transmission or remain under investigation.
Additionally, since the last update, there have been 105 recoveries and one death.
There are 171 active cases, of which:
·145 are under public health monitoring and
·26 are in hospital, with 7 in intensive care
Since the last public report on Wednesday, there have been 3 admissions and 3 discharges from the hospital.
Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 5612 confirmed coronavirus cases, out of which 5345 have recovered, and sadly 96 COVID related deaths.
The source of all active cases is as follows:
·20 are Imported
·72 are classified as local transmission
·79 are Under Investigation
Active cases by vaccination status, transmission, and type:
·Imported cases: 95% are fully vaccinated, and 5% are not vaccinated
·Local/Under Investigation cases: 30% are fully vaccinated, and 70% are not vaccinated
·Variant typing is not available at this time due to the prioritisation of test results.
The source of all confirmed cases is as follows:
·643 are Imported
·4414 are classified as local transmission of which:
o 2821 are Local transmission with known contact/source and
o 1593 are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source
·555 are Under Investigation
As investigations proceed, transmission categories may change. For information regarding 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 0.52. Bermuda's current country status is Community Transmission. Community transmission is characterised by an increased incidence of locally acquired, widely dispersed cases, with many cases not linked to specific clusters.
Minister Wilson added, "Starting on Tuesday, October 26, COVID-19 vaccinations are available at the Hamilton Health Centre, 67 Victoria Street, every Tuesday from 2 – 4 pm. These vaccinations are by appointment only, no walk-ins. You can get your 1st, 2nd or 3rd dose. Call 332-8906 for assistance in scheduling an appointment, or you can book online at www.gov.bm/vaccines."
"I encourage anyone who wants to get vaccinated to register their interest as soon as possible on gov.bm/vaccines. The COVID-19 vaccine remains our best defence in preventing the spread of this virus. It will decrease symptoms and severe illness and, in most cases, prevent death."
"You can request an appointment or walk into the KEMH Vaccination Clinic on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4 to 7 pm, and Saturday, 8 am to 4 pm. Medical doctors will be at KEMH to answer any questions about the coronavirus and the COVID-19 vaccine. To request an appointment, click "COVID-19 Vaccine Registration" on www.gov.bm or contact the vaccine call centre at 444-2498 option #2."
There is also a second vaccination centre at the National Sports Centre for those eligible for the booster dose. Next week's dates and hours of operation are Monday, October 25 to Friday, October 29 12 pm -6:30 pm.
Those 65 and over as well as pregnant women who have had their second dose at least six months prior, are eligible to make their own appointments. To book your own booster appointment, please visit https://www.gov.bm/vaccine-booster or click the link at the top of gov.bm that says "Book a Booster Vaccine Appointment.
If you do not have access to the internet or need assistance in making appointments, please call the Vaccine Centre on 444-2498-option #2, where the team will assist you with booking your appointment. You can also contact your doctor for assistance.
"We must all do our part to help stop the spread of the coronavirus," concluded Minister Wilson. "As always, to decrease the odds of getting the coronavirus, avoid the three "Cs": closed spaces, crowded places and close contact settings. Follow Public Health guidelines, wear a mask, practice good hand hygiene, maintain physical distance and download the WeHealth Bermuda app."