“Bermuda has recorded two more coronavirus related deaths. I extend my sincere condolences to the family and friends who have lost their loved one, said the Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson, JP, MP.

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 3438 test results, and 46 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 1.3%.

These results are from testing done on:

• Tuesday: 18 positive out of 1781 results (1.0% positivity)
• Wednesday: 28 positive out of 1657 results (1.7% positivity)

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

The additional 43 new cases are classified as either local transmission or remain under investigation.

Additionally, since the last update, there have been 122 recoveries and two deaths.

There are 812 active cases, of which:

●        769 are under public health monitoring and

●        43 are in hospital, with 8 in intensive care

Since the last public report on Wednesday, there have been 5 admissions and 4 discharges from the hospital.

Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 5501 confirmed coronavirus cases, out of which 4600 have recovered, and sadly 89 COVID related deaths.

The source of all active cases is as follows:

●        33 are Imported

●        170 are classified as local transmission of which:

o   170 are Local transmission with known contact/source and

o   0 are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source

●        609 are Under Investigation

Active cases by vaccination status, transmission, and type:

●        Imported cases: 91% are fully vaccinated and 9% are not vaccinated

●        Local/Under Investigation cases: 32% are fully vaccinated and 68% 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:

●        616 are Imported

●        3510 are classified as local transmission of which:

o   2603 are local transmission with known contact/source and

o   907 are local transmission with an unknown contact/source

●        1375 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 0.59. 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.

Minister Wilson added, “Bermuda received 11,700 COVID-19 vaccine doses from the UK last night. These doses will be used to support the third dose/booster programme which starts on 9 October. Seniors in rest homes and staff will be amongst the first to receive the booster, together with people who are immunosuppressed. Immunosuppressed are those with underlying conditions that make them highly at risk of severe illness if they were to contract COVID-19. Anyone in a rest home who is not immunized can receive the vaccine during the booster programme.”

The KEMH Vaccine Centre will offer vaccinations on the following days:

Booster only for those who are immunosuppressed

·         Sundays –  8am to 8pm

·         Wednesdays –  8am to 8pm

First and second shots – those with appointments:

·         Tuesdays – 4pm to 8pm

·         Thursdays – 4pm to 8m

·         Saturdays – 8am to 8pm

To make an appointment visit: https://vaccine.resqwest.com/web/

A second vaccination centre will open next week, at the National Sports Centre, for persons 65 years old and over who wish to get a booster.

·         Oct 13th 12pm-6:30pm – last appointment

·         Oct 14th 12pm-6:30pm – last appointment

·         Oct 14th 12pm-6:30pm – lasts appointment

Appointments can be booked from Monday 11 October.

Minister Wilson concluded, “Thanks again to the Hamilton Princess for their generosity in hosting a pop up vaccination centre. The Harbourview Ballroom will be open on Sunday 10 October, from 1pm to 5pm for those who wish to get their first shot of the vaccine.

“The COVID-19 vaccine remains our best defense in preventing the spread of this virus. It will decrease symptoms and severe illness and, in most cases, prevent death.

“We must all do our part to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Continue to follow public health guidelines, wear a mask, practice good hand hygiene, maintain physical distance and download the WeHealth Bermuda app.”