The Ministry of Health received 8703 test results since the last update, and 52 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 0.6%.

These results are from testing done on:

• Monday, August 23: 16 positive out of 2411 results (0.7% positivity)
• Tuesday, August 24: 17 positive out of 2710 results (0.6% positivity)
• Wednesday, August 25: 19 positive out of 3582 results (0.5% positivity)

10 of the new cases are classified as imported with history of travel in the previous 14 days, with details as follows:

• 1 resident who arrived via American Airlines AA 2044 from Charlotte on 19 August and tested positive on their day 4 test
• 1 resident who arrived via British Airways BA 159 from London on 19 August  and tested positive on their day 4 test
• 1 resident who arrived via Jet Blue B61731 from New York on 19 August and tested positive on their day 4 test
• 1 non-resident who arrived via non-commercial airline on 20 august 2021 and tested positive on their day 4 test
• 1 resident who arrived via Jet Blue B61731 from New York on 21 August and tested positive on their day 4 test
• 2 residents who arrived on Delta Airlines DL 584 from Atlanta on 21 August and tested positive on their day 4 test
• 2 non-residents who arrived on Delta Airline DL 617 from New York on 9 August  and tested positive on their day 10 test
• 1 resident who arrived via Jet Blue B61731 from New York on 25 August and tested positive on their arrival test

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

The additional 22 new cases are classified as under investigation. These cases are among residents 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 38 recoveries and 0 deaths.

There are 155 active cases, of which:

• 150 are under public health monitoring and
• 5 are in hospital with 1 in intensive care

Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 2844 confirmed coronavirus cases, out of which 2656 have recovered, and sadly 33 COVID related deaths.

The source of all active cases is as follows:

• 35 are Imported
• 79 are classified as local transmission of which:
  • 78 are Local transmission with known contact/source and
  • 1 are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source
• 41 are Under Investigation

Active cases by vaccination status, transmission, and type:

• Imported cases: 30 (86%) are fully vaccinated, and 5 (14%) are not vaccinated.
• Local/Under Investigation cases: 26 (22%) are fully vaccinated, and 94 (78%) are not vaccinated.
• Of the active cases by variant type: 0 are Alpha, 0 are Beta, 119 (77%) are Delta, 0 are Gamma, 0 are wildtype, 17 (11%) cannot be determined, and 19 (12%) are not available.

The source of all confirmed cases is as follows:

• 442 are Imported
• 2350 are classified as local transmission of which:
  • 1846 are Local transmission with known contact/source and
  • 504 are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source
• 52 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 above 1 (according to analysis by Public Health England).  Bermuda’s current country status remains “Sporadic Cases”.

The Minister of Health is reminding the public that as Bermuda is experiencing an escalation of coronavirus cases, we are also seeing more people ignoring symptoms and going to work.

“Do not go to work, school or any public spaces if you feel unwell, even a little unwell,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP.  “Symptoms, which can easily be associated with allergies or a mild cold, are possible coronavirus symptoms. This includes sore throat, stuffiness, tiredness, headaches, and coughing and sneezing.”

“If you or anyone in your household has any of these symptoms, stay home, isolate, arrange to get tested and contact your doctor. You should not risk infecting your coworkers or other people you might interact with. While the majority of COVID-19 cases are mild, just because you can physically go to work does not mean you should.”

“Remember, the pandemic is not over, and we are experiencing local spread. Physical distancing, frequent handwashing and hand sanitizing, and coughing into your elbow can reduce the risk for yourself and others. Of course, wearing a mask remains a key preventive measure, and this should be done, particularly in crowded and close contact settings.”

If you have cold, flu or coronavirus symptoms, stay home and call your doctor or the COVID helpline 444-2498 for advice about getting tested.

Persons wishing to get outbound travel tests can visit HELIX Genetic and Scientific Solution or C & S West Limited. These private options operate in addition to the Ministry’s testing sites.

The vaccine clinic at the King Edward Memorial Hospital is open for appointments and walk-ins, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4pm-7pm, and Saturdays from 8am-4pm. Additionally, you can go to the Washington Mall on Saturday, August 28, between 10 am and 2 pm, or visit the Vaccine Pop-up on Sunday, August 29, at the Berkeley Institute, located in the Lower Atrium, from 10am to 2pm.  Medical professionals will be available to answer your questions. You don’t need an appointment. Just show up to talk to someone or to get the vaccine.

Each of us has a role to play in stopping the spread of the coronavirus. Follow Public Health guidelines, wear a mask indoors, practice good hand hygiene, maintain physical distance and download the WeHealth Bermuda app.