“Sadly, today I report that since our last update, Bermuda experienced seven more coronavirus-related deaths,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “I extend sincere condolences to the families and friends who lost a loved one over this weekend.”

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 5798 test results, and 83 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 1.4%.

These results are from testing done on:

●        Thursday: 42 positive out of 2366 results (1.8% positivity)

●        Friday: 35 positive out of 2118 results (1.7% positivity)

●        Saturday: 6 positive out of 1314 results (0.5% positivity)

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

The additional 74 new cases are classified as either local transmission or remain under investigation.

Additionally, since the last update, there have been 347 recoveries and seven deaths.

There are 1106 active cases, of which:

●        1053 are under public health monitoring and

●        53 are in hospital, with 10 in intensive care

Since the last public report on Monday, there have been 14 admissions and 13 discharges from the hospital.

Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 5419 confirmed coronavirus cases, out of which 4231 have recovered, and sadly 82 COVID related deaths.

The source of all active cases is as follows:

●        51 are Imported

●        229 are classified as local transmission of which:

o   229 are Local transmission with known contact/source and

o   0 are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source

●        826 are Under Investigation

Active cases by vaccination status, transmission, and type:

●        Imported cases: 92% are fully vaccinated and 8% are not vaccinated

●        Local/Under Investigation cases: 26% are fully vaccinated and 74% 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:

●        608 are Imported

●        3287 are classified as local transmission of which:

o   2569 are local transmission with known contact/source and

o   718 are local transmission with an unknown contact/source

●        1524 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 0.65. Bermuda’s current country status is Clusters of Cases. However, local data continues to indicate that Bermuda meets the criteria for Community Transmission. Community transmission is characterised by an increased incidence of locally acquired, widely dispersed cases, with many cases not linked to specific clusters.

“Vaccinated travellers travelling to the United Kingdom (UK) from a ‘green’ list country, including Bermuda, will not need to quarantine in the UK upon arrival,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “Additionally, if they have proof that they have been vaccinated, they will not have to take a pre-departure test.

“This will apply to all those residents of Overseas Territories like Bermuda who received the Pfizer vaccine which the UK Government supplied.

“Vaccinated residents needing to travel to the UK who do not wish to quarantine can request the proof of UK vaccination confirmation letter for travelling to the UK by contacting the Vaccine call center at 444-2498 option 2 between 8 am and 4 pm or send an email request to vaccines@gov.bm. All requests must be supported with a Government-issued ID.”

Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP, continued, “Those who have made the decision to get vaccinated can register to request an appointment on gov.bm or walk into the KEMH Vaccination Clinic on Tuesdays & Thursdays, between 4 to 7 pm, or Saturdays, from 8 am to 4 pm. Medical doctors will be at KEMH to answer any questions about COVID-19 and the vaccines.

“The coronavirus remains a threat to our island. If you haven’t received the COVID-19 vaccine, do the research, talk with your doctor and make an informed decision. Each of us has a role to play in stopping the spread of the coronavirus. Continue to follow Public Health guidelines, wear a mask indoors, practice good hand hygiene, maintain physical distance and download the WeHealth Bermuda app.”