Health Minister Kim Wilson confirmed another COVID related death tonight, bringing the death toll to 43, as the number of active cases continued to rise to 1,513.
Another 155 new cases were reported in the latest figures, with 54 patients in hospital and 12 in intensive care.
Eight (8) of the new cases were classified as imported. The additional 147 new cases were classified as either local transmission or they remain under investigation.
There were six (6) new COVID admissions in the hospital with two (2) discharges.
Additionally, since the last update, there have been 68 recoveries and one (1) death.
“I am so sorry to hear of another loss of life, and I extend heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased during this difficult time,” said the Minister.
“Unfortunately, the current outbreak is being predominantly driven by members of the Bermuda community who are not vaccinated.
“We now have 1,513 active cases, and when you look at the local transmission cases or those that are under investigation, 74 percent of those people are not fully vaccinated.
“Where data is available, the contact tracers have regularly seen transmission of the disease from unvaccinated people to vaccinated people, and the reverse seems to happen in only a few instances.
“The majority of vaccinated people who test positive experience a mild version of COVID-19 and, if hospitalised, BHB confirms their stay is brief. This demonstrates the vaccine works: symptoms are mild, and hospitalisation is reduced or brief,” she added.
Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 4,632 confirmed coronavirus cases, out of which 3,076 have recovered, and sadly 43 COVID related deaths.
The source of all active cases is as follows:
● 86 are Imported
● 260 are classified as local transmission of which:
o 260 are Local transmission with known contact/source and
o 0 are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source
● 1167 are Under Investigation
Active cases by vaccination status, transmission, and type:
• Imported cases: 89% are fully vaccinated, and 11% are not vaccinated
• Local/Under Investigation cases: 26% are fully vaccinated, and 74% are not vaccination
• Variant typing is not available at this time due to the prioritisation of test results.
The source of all confirmed cases is as follows:
• 561 are Imported
• 2,756 are classified as local transmission of which:
o 2,225 are Local transmission with known contact/source and
o 531 are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source
• 1,315 are Under Investigation
“I recognise that this is a very stressful time, and the surge of positive cases is causing anxiety,” the Minister added.
“I encourage anyone who needs someone to talk to contact the Emotional Wellbeing Hotline. It is available to help.
“By dialling 543-1111, you will have access to a qualified, experienced mental health practitioner to talk to if you’re feeling anxious, sad, overwhelmed, or stressed. This line will be open Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 5 pm to 9 pm.”
In the interim, she said: “We will continue to remind people to be extremely cautious. Wear your masks properly, wash your hands frequently and physically distance.
“We will continue to recommend vaccinations as our best defense against the further spread of the virus, and we will continue to recommend people get tested to know their status. When you get tested, stay home until you get your test result back.
“People are still going to work and out in public carrying and spreading the virus with symptoms they ignore. This behaviour is irresponsible and puts a lot of people at risk. Your individual choices impact us all, and as I have said before, we’re all in this together, and we must work together to end this outbreak. Everyone in our community has an individual responsibility to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Minister Wilson concluded: “I want to thank all of our wonderful healthcare workers for their hard work and dedicated support. They are serving our community well, and I want to extend my deep appreciation for everything they are doing.”
