Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 3564 test results, and 19 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 0.5.

These results are from testing done on:

·         Tuesday: 9 positive out of 1861 results (0.5% positivity)

·         Wednesday: 10 positive out of 1703 results (0.5% positivity)

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

The additional 18 new cases are classified as either local transmission or remain under investigation. 

Additionally, since the last update, there have been 143 recoveries and no deaths.

There are 350 active cases, of which:

·         315 are under public health monitoring and

·         35 are in hospital, with 9 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 5567 confirmed coronavirus cases, out of which 5122 have recovered, and sadly 95 COVID related deaths.

The source of all active cases is as follows:

·         23 are Imported

·         98 are classified as local transmission

·         229 are Under Investigation

Active cases by vaccination status, transmission, and type:

·         Imported cases: 87% are fully vaccinated, and 13% are not vaccinated

·         Local/Under Investigation cases: 27% are fully vaccinated and 73% 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:

·         630 are Imported

·         4024 are classified as local transmission of which:

o   2721 are Local transmission with known contact/source and

o   1303 are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source

·         913 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 0.49. 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 of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP, said, “If you have a vaccine-based SafeKey it will expire today, October 15th. You can renew your safekey by going to https://www.gov.bm/safekey.”

“The purpose of the Safekey is to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 infections and outbreaks during the pandemic and allow residents and visitors access to activities and services identified as high risk for spreading the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This is a holiday weekend, and I want everyone to remember that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over, and the Delta variant is still with us. Please act responsibly over this holiday weekend. Now is not to time to party and let your guard down.”

“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.”

The Ministry of Health has provided a second vaccination centre at the National Sports Centre to accelerate the booster programme. The dates and hours of operation for the next three weeks are:

·         Wednesday 13 October to Friday 15 October 12pm -6:30pm

·         Tuesday 19 October to Friday 22 October 12pm -6:30pm

·         Monday 25 October to Friday 29 October 12pm -6:30pm

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 call 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.”