Good Afternoon,

Thank you, Premier.

Today, there were 20 test results received; and I’m pleased to report that none were positive. There were also no additional hospitalizations or reported deaths today.

As such, Bermuda's total confirmed positive cases stands at 83. Their status is as follows:

• there are 43 active cases, of which
• 34 persons are under active public health monitoring, and
• 9 persons are hospitalized;
• a total of 35 have now recovered, and
• the total deceased remains at 5.

The average age of all of our confirmed positive cases is 56. The median age is 58, and the age range of all of our positive cases is from 18 to 91 years. The age of persons hospitalized ranges between 67 and 82 years, and the average age is 74.

Of the 83 positive cases confirmed to date, 37 are males, and 46 are females.

While there were no positives today, every new case we discover is a disappointment and worry to us all. However, our mitigation strategies helping us to contain the situation are bearing good fruit. We acted quickly and we are in a stronger position for it. Just this week Public Health England confirmed that our case vigilance and preparations for rapid case identification, case-isolation, contact tracing, and PCR testing are appropriate and proportionate. 

Today I want to thank another group which has been working exceptionally hard throughout this pandemic, namely our Third Sector Coordinated Crisis Response Team.

This week, they allocated funds to the private and charitable residential care homes for additional food and non-medical supplies.

Each home has been allotted $100 per resident per month which can be used at Butterfield and Vallis. These funds will not (and are not intended to) cover the full cost of food and non-medical supplies; they are an addition to support each of the homes at this time. This will be for two months initially, to be reviewed as things progress.

This initiative will ensure that each home has a stable supply line.

It will also limit the number of outsiders delivering to the homes and limits (or even ends) staff going to stores, which aligns with the recent guidance from the CMO & Ministry of Health around Shielding of our most vulnerable.

Additionally, it frees up care home staff to focus on other critical work.

The process is straightforward. Each home will have an Emergency Fund account at Butterfield and Vallis; the funds will be pre-paid into the assigned account by The Bermuda Community Foundation.

Thank you also to the Bermuda Health Council for helping to coordinate this process.

Today I have another update regarding the Bermuda Health Council…

Some of you may have seen the covidIQ.net online data collection tool, which collects and depicts public health data around the island.

I can announce that the Health Council is working with developers to make some evidence-based enhancements to the platform, to serve as a broader public health data collection tool to inform health policy and strategy in order to improve the health of the community and reduce social determinants of ill health.  The more local data we have, the better our chances at getting the right resources to the right places at the right times.  This is definitely proving true as we navigate through this COVID crisis. It should be up and running shortly.

One question which I have heard asked quite a lot this past week is, ‘What is the treatment for COVID patients?’…

As most of us know, currently there are no proven treatments to cure COVID-19.

However, the standard of care for COVID-19 is supportive management, oxygen supplementation, IV hydration, and non-invasive or invasive ventilator support where needed.

Sometimes COVID-19 can lead to bacterial superinfections and hemodynamic instability which can be treated with antibiotics and mediations to elevate the blood pressure respectively. In select cases, patients may be offered other medications if a physician believes the potential benefits outweigh the risks, based on limited evidence. Such cases would require informed consent by the patient or a patient’s designated representative after a robust discussion regarding the potential risks and benefits of the offered treatment.

In closing, I wish to thank international and local businesses in Bermuda who have collectively raised $1,044,000 to date for essential medical supplies and equipment, including personal protective equipment and ventilators. I’m really proud of how Bermuda’s insurers, reinsurers, brokers, investment managers, local insurance companies, financial service companies, medical associations as well as private, individual donors have come together to support the hospital at this time.

We thank you for your support.

Thank you.