News Release: HAMILTON, Bermuda – The Ministry of Health’s Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (ESU) is aware of a potential COVID-19 exposure at Purvis Primary. The person confirmed with COVID-19 has been isolated and the ESU is contacting confirmed close contacts. These person(s) are being advised that they must quarantine (stay home from school and other activities) and get tested for COVID-19.

A full assessment of this situation is still ongoing, and in alignment with the new protocol established by the EMCC, saliva testing will be conducted on the entire school tomorrow, Saturday, March 20th from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. Students and staff are reminded that there should be no eating, drinking, or chewing of gum 30 minutes before taking the test.

 
The Minister of Education, Diallo Rabain has restated his previous calls for everyone who has children, family, or friends associated with the school system to use caution and strictly adhere to the Government’s safety measures to contain this latest community outbreak and reduce the transmission of COVID-19. 
 
Minister Rabain added, “I remind you that that the vulnerable must be protected and that means we must all be considerate of how exposure to COVID affects students, schools, teachers, parents, and the larger community. We must work together – get tested regularly, maintain your bubbles, wear your mask correctly; wash your hands regularly, and get immunised when you can.”
 
“We will update stakeholders and the community once we receive additional information from the Department of Health.”
 
 Any questions concerning COVID‐19 should be emailed to schoolsurv@gov.bm .  
 All public health guidelines are listed at https://www.gov.bm/coronavirus.