“I am saddened to report two coronavirus related deaths since our last update,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “I extend my sincere condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of the deceased.”

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 8187 test results, and 622 were positive for the coronavirus.

These results are from testing done on:

§  Friday: 179 positive out of 2300 results (7.8% positivity)

§  Saturday: 57 positive out of 1664 results (3.4% positivity)

§  Sunday: 48 positive out of 1119 results (4.3% positivity)

§  Monday: 175 positive out of 1679 results (10.4% positivity)

§  Tuesday: 163 positive out of 1425 results (11.4% positivity)

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

The additional 518 new cases are classified as either local transmission (38) or under investigation (480). 

Additionally, there were 687 recoveries and, sadly, two deaths.

There are 1886 active cases, of which:

·1872 are under public health monitoring; and

·14 are in hospital, with 2 in intensive care.

Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 9766 coronavirus cases, out of which 7768 have recovered, and sadly there have been 112 coronavirus-related deaths.

The source of all active cases is as follows:

·458 are Imported

·128 are classified as local transmission

·1300 are Under Investigation

Information regarding active cases by vaccination status, transmission, and type is unavailable.

The source of all confirmed cases is as follows:

·2081 are Imported

·5482 are classified as local transmission of which:

o   3484 are Local transmission with known contact/source and

o   1998 are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source

·2203 are Under Investigation

As investigations proceed, transmission categories may change. For 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 0.71.

We have completed week 2 of vaccinations. Since 11th January, Bermuda residents have received a total of 118,548 vaccinations.

Of the 118,548 vaccinations given as of 15th January:

·52% are women and,

·48% are men

87.1% of all residents over 65 years have had at least one vaccination, and 85.8% are fully immunised.

To date, 72.7% of the population has been vaccinated (1 dose), and 71.5% of the population has been immunised (2 doses).

Additionally, 39.5% of the population have received a booster.

Booster appointments are available and persons eligible for a booster can book at coronavirus.gov.bm

The Ministry of Health currently has a small supply of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which expires on the 31st of January. Anyone interested in having theAstraZeneca booster can contact the vaccine helpline on 444-2498.

The Ministry of Health is tonight reminding the public that the amendments to the Quarantine (COVID-19) (No. 3) Order 2020 are effective today, 20th January 2022. These changes will further streamline our quarantine and testing guidelines.

Mandatory quarantine is no longer required for contacts of a positive case if persons are not experiencing COVID symptoms and your last vaccine dose (2nd dose or booster dose) was received within the last six months. However, it is strongly recommended that daily antigen tests be taken for self-monitoring during the seven days after close contact, especially if you will be entering a workplace setting or place where you will be in contact with others outside of your household. If your last vaccine dose was more than 6 months ago, and you are a close contact, you must quarantine for seven days (previously 10), and test out of quarantine with a verified antigen test.

If you are immunised and test positive you are required to isolate for seven days (previously 10), and test out of isolation with a verified antigen test. 

Non-immunised persons who test positive must now isolate for ten days (previously 14) and if they are close contacts must quarantine for ten days (previously 14) and test out of isolation/quarantine with a verified antigen test.

Immunised visitors who require quarantine or isolation for repatriation, will be repatriated according to the country’s repatriation requirements. This requirement may be between 5-10 days quarantine, with a verified antigen or PCR test.

Immunised travellers to Bermuda must have a pre-test, test on arrival and test on day 4 using a verified antigen test.

Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP, said, “Regardless of your quarantine and isolation requirements, everyone should follow public health guidance - avoid closed spaces, crowded places and close contact settings. Wear a mask indoors and outdoors if you cannot physically distance, practice good hand hygiene, maintain physical distance, and download the WeHealth Bermuda app. Those recently removed from quarantine or isolation should also monitor their health and symptoms.

“As a reminder, the COVID-19 symptoms are: fever (100.4◦F) or chills; cough; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; diarrhoea; sudden confusion or brain fog.”

“We all must continue to protect ourselves and others around us from this virus. Wear a mask, wash your hands, keep physically distanced from others, not in your household, and add antigen tests to your pandemic toolbox.”