Two of the 14 patients in hospital battling the latest cases of COVID-19 in Bermuda, remain in the Intensive Care Unit today, as the number of active cases climbed to 1,886, with 622 new cases identified in the latest round of 8,187 tests.
Sadly, the island recorded another two COVID-related deaths since the last update, bringing the total number of lives lost to 112.
Of the 1,886 active cases, 104 of the new cases were classified as imported with a history of travel in the previous 14 days.
The additional 518 new cases were classified as either local transmission (38) or under investigation (480).
Additionally, there were 687 recoveries.
There are currently 1,872 active cases under public health monitoring with a total of 14 patients battling the virus in hospital – two remain in intensive care.
Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 9,766 coronavirus cases, out of which 7,768 have recovered.
The source of all active cases is as follows:
·458 are Imported
·128 are classified as local transmission
·1,300 are Under Investigation
Information regarding active cases by vaccination status, transmission, and type is unavailable.
The source of all confirmed cases is as follows:
·2,081 are Imported
·5,482 are classified as local transmission of which:
o 3,484 are Local transmission with known contact/source and
o 1,998 are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source
·2,203 are Under Investigation
It was also noted in the latest update that since January 11, residents have received a total of 118,548 vaccinations.
Of the 118,548 vaccinations given as of January 15th:
·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 the AstraZeneca booster can contact the vaccine helpline on 444-2498.
The Ministry of Health also reminded 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 six 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.
Health Minister Kim Wilson, added: “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,” she said.
“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.”
