The Ministry of Health received 1029 test results since the last update, and five were positive for COVID-19, giving a test positivity rate of 0.5%

Two of the new cases are classified as imported. The first case is a resident who arrived on Delta Airline DL 584 from Atlanta on 15 May 2021 and tested positive on their day 4 test. The second case is a resident who arrived on Jet Blue B6203 from Boston on 15 May 2021 and tested positive on their day 4 test.

Two of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact as they are associated with known cases.

The additional new case is classified as under investigation. This case is a resident 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 17 recoveries and no deaths.

There are 73 active cases, of which:

• 69 are under public health monitoring and
• 4 are in hospital, with 1 in intensive care;

Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 2488 confirmed coronavirus cases, out of which 2383 have recovered, and sadly 32 COVID related deaths.

The source of all cases is as follows:

• 301 are Imported
• 2137 are classified as local transmission of which:
  • 1669 are Local transmission with known contact/source and
  • 468 are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source
• 50 are Under Investigation

As investigations proceed, transmission categories may change.

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

The seven-day average of our real-time reproduction number is less than one (1).

Bermuda’s current WHO country status remains “Community Transmission”.

“We continue to see a decrease in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases and the number of people hospitalised,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “This is a result of people following our public health guidelines as well as more people getting vaccinated.”

“The vaccine has proven to be effective, and as many people as possible should get vaccinated to reduce the risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you, the loved ones around you, and the community generally by creating a ‘dead end’ for virus transmission.”

On Sunday, May 23, the mobile vaccination programme will be at TCD in Hamilton from 10 am – 2 pm.

Next week the mobile vaccination programme will be at the following locations:

• Tuesday, May 25, the Open Door Christian Fellowship in St. David’s from 10 am until 2 pm,
• Thursday, May 27, at the Sandy’s Secondary Middle School from 4 pm until 7 pm, and,
• Saturday, May 29, at the National Sports Centre from 10 am until 2 pm.

Minister Wilson added, “For those people who want to hear about the COVID-19 vaccine from a trusted source, we recommend the Close to Home programme as an ideal opportunity to learn more. There are doctors on site to answer any questions that you may have. You don’t need an appointment. You can just show up and roll up your sleeve.”

“There is also a free mini-bus service to take people from their homes to the mobile vaccination sites and back to their homes afterwards. Call 533-5903 between 10.00 am and 1.30 pm if you need a ride to one of the mobile vaccination sites.”

Anyone who feels they need a home visit for the COVID-19 vaccine, please contact vaccine@gov.bm, or call the hotline 444-2498 and select Option #2, and the team will arrange a visit in the coming weeks.

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 Ministry of Health advises the public that the new hours of operation for the Covid-19 Information Call Centre are from 8 am until 8 pm every day, effective Monday 24 May. The telephone number for the Covid-19 Information Hotline is [441] 444-2498.

The next COVID-19 update press release will be on Monday, May 24^th.