“Sadly, today, I must report that Bermuda has recorded another death of someone who was COVID positive,” said Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “My deepest sympathies to the bereaved family and friends. I am truly sorry for your loss, and my prayers are with you.”

The Ministry of Health received 2154 test results since the last update, and 22 were positive for coronavirus, yielding a test positivity rate of 1.0 %.  These results are from testing done on Friday 23 April (14 positive out of 1140 results (1.2% positivity)), and Saturday 24 April 2021 (8 positive out of 1017 results (0.8% positivity)).

16 of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact as they are associated with known cases.

The additional six new cases are classified as under investigation. These cases are among residents with no currently identified link to other known cases or history of travel in the past 14 days.

Additionally, since the last update, there were 88 recoveries.

There are 609 active cases, of which:

·         581 are under public health monitoring and

·         28 are in hospital with 9 in intensive care;

Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 2357 confirmed cases of coronavirus, out of which a total of 1724 have recovered, and sadly Bermuda now has 24 COVID related deaths.

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 0.72.

Bermuda’s current WHO country status remains “Community Transmission”.

“I am grateful that we are making progress in containing the spread of the virus, and we are making progress with our vaccination programme,” said Kim Wilson, JP, MP, Minister of Health. “With more than 50% of our population having received at least one dose of the vaccine. We are well on our way to community protection, which will benefit us all.”

“One of the Government's primary objectives is to increase the avenues available to members of the public who wish to protect themselves and others by getting vaccinated.  With this objective in mind, we are pleased to announce the “Close to Home” Vaccination Initiative has been established.”

“The Department of Health’s Mobile Vaccination Team will begin an outreach programme to increase access to Covid-19 vaccines with a ride through, drive-through and walk through venue at Penno’s Wharf on Tuesday, 27 April, from 10 am – 2 pm. The drive-in venue is specifically for persons who have not yet registered for the COVID-19 vaccine, do not have access to the internet, and prefer to register in person or have additional questions about the COVID-19 vaccine.”

“As a reminder, starting today, 26 April, the Bermuda College vaccination centre will continue to be open for walk-ins from 9 am to 1 pm. Those with appointments at the College vaccination centre are asked to attend the Old Wing of KEMH for their vaccination. The vaccination hotline will be doing phone follow up calls to confirm those appointments.”

“I must also remind the public that if a friend or relative tells you that they are a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19, and you attend Bulls Head to get tested, please stay in quarantine until a contact tracer contacts you to provide further advice. There have been times where persons have not remained in quarantine following testing who then tested positive.”

Each of us has a role to play in stopping the spread of the coronavirus. Follow Public Health guidelines, wear a mask, practice good hand hygiene, maintain physical distance and download the WeHealth Bermuda app. Do the research, talk with your doctor and make an informed decision about getting the COVID-19 vaccine.