The Ministry of Health reported more than 500 new cases of COVID-19 in Bermuda last night, as the total number of cases approaches 1,000.

Since the last update, the Ministry received 9,532 test results – 516 were positive.

The additional 340 new cases were classified as either local transmission (113) or under investigation (227).

The tests were completed between December 29, 2021 and January 1, 2022.

Only two patients are currently in hospital battling the coronavirus, neither of them in intensive care.

Of the new cases, 176 were classified as from overseas and 113 were listed as on-island transmissions. The sources of the other 227 cases are still under investigation.

As of December 30, 126 people had fully recovered from the virus.

It was also noted that 92 percent of the people who contracted COVID abroad were vaccinated, and 80 percent were travellers who were not fully vaccinated.

A total of 65 percent of the cases caused by on-island transmissions or that were under investigation were in fully vaccinated people.

Additionally, there are 126 recoveries and 0 deaths.

Of the 912 active cases:

  • 910 are under public health monitoring; and
  • Two are in hospital with zero (0) in intensive care.

Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 6,936 coronavirus cases, out of which 5,914 have recovered, and sadly there have been 110 coronavirus-related deaths. 

The source of all active cases is as follows:

  • 407 are Imported
  • 158 are classified as local transmission
  • 347 are Under Investigation

Active cases by vaccination status, transmission, and type:

  • Imported cases: 92% are fully vaccinated and 8% are not fully vaccinated.
  • Local/Under Investigation cases: 65% are fully vaccinated and 35% are not fully vaccinated.

The source of all confirmed cases is as follows:

  • 1,309 are Imported
  • 5,249 are classified as local transmission of which:
  • 3,285 are Local transmission with known contact/source and
  • 1,964 are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source
  • 378 are Under Investigation

“The Ministry is once again issuing a reminder about testing for outbound travellers,” the spokeswoman added.

“Outbound travellers must still in the first instance undergo the process of getting tested at a testing facility.

“The Ministry notes however that there continue to be delays being experienced with persons receiving their test results in a timely manner due to the current outbreak fueled by the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

“The Ministry of Health advised that it continues to work with local healthcare partners and professionals to make outbound antigen tests available through physicians’ offices and pharmacies.

The following update on today’s Miami flight:

“Testing will not be done at the Airport. Instead, MDL has planned for those results to be issued this evening.”

The Ministry also reiterated however, “that apart from the Miami flight, antigen testing for those outbound passengers who have not received their results in a timely fashion, and whose travel plans may be impacted will have their tests facilitated at the Airport as advised by the Call Centre”.

For more information regarding outbound traveller testing or for updates on their test results before travelling, persons should contact the Call Centre at 444-2498 or 1-833-570-2594.

The vaccination/booster programme at Pier Six resumes later today (January 5), when booster appointments can also be booked for weekdays at Pier Six as of today.

Those individuals who are 65 and over and those who are eligible for a booster (as their second shot was more than six months ago), were advised to take advantage of this opportunity to get vaccinated. 

If you are 65 and over, you do not need an appointment at Pier Six.

Lastly, the Ministry reminded that each of us has a role to play in stopping the spread of the coronavirus. Please continue to follow the public health guidelines; please wear a mask; please practice good hand hygiene; and please maintain physical distance.