The Ministry of Health confirmed 17 new cases of COVID-19 in Bermuda in the latest round of 3,423 tests, taking the total number of active cases to 250.

Three of the new cases were classified as imported, including a returning resident who arrived on a JetBlue flight from New York on April 30 and tested positive on their day eight test.

Another resident who arrived here from London on May 4 tested positive on their day four test and a non-resident who arrived here from Boston on May 8 tested positive on their arrival test.

A Ministry spokesperson said: “Five of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact as they are associated with known cases.

“The additional nine 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 75 recoveries and one death over the weekend, which was previously reported.”

Of the 250 active cases 236 are under public health monitoring and 14 patients are in hospital with two in intensive care.

“Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 2,451 confirmed cases of coronavirus, out of which a total of 2,170 have recovered, and sadly 31 COVID related deaths,” the spokesperson added.

The source of all cases is as follows:

·         298 are Imported

·         1909 are classified as local transmission of which:

o   1427 are Local transmission with known contact/source and

o   382 are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source

·         244 are Under Investigation

Meanwhile, there are two Close to Home mobile vaccination programmes this week. One will be at the Shelly Bay Marketplace today (May 11) from 10am until 2pm, and on Thursday, May 13 at TN Tatem Middle School, from 10am until 2pm.

Health Minister Kim Wilson said: “This drive/walkthrough site is for residents 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 questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. Doctors are on-site to answer any questions.

“As a reminder, our current supplies of Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines expire at the end of June. For Pfizer, which requires three weeks between doses, we anticipate the last first dose will be administered on 8 June. For AstraZeneca, the period between doses can be as great as 12 weeks, so we will continue to administer that vaccine until 30 June and administer the second dose when we receive our next COVAX delivery. We can vaccinate anyone who wants to get vaccinated, and we have plenty of supply to reach community protection,” she added.

“There is concern from parents and guardians that Astra Zeneca is not currently approved for those under the age of 18. Bermuda can still receive supplies of the Pfizer vaccine from the UK if we require more. At this time, we encourage parents and guardians to register their 12 to 15-year-old children to be vaccinated so that the Bermuda Government can appropriately gauge interest and assess whether additional supplies of Pfizer are needed.”

In closing, the Minister said: “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.”

The next COVID Update news conference will be on Thursday, May 13 at 5:30pm.

For information regarding age distributions, please refer to https://www.gov.bm/coronavirus-covid19-update