Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received8,342 test results and 102 were positive for COVID-19, giving a test positivity rate of 1.2%.

These results are from testing done on:

• Wednesday: 19 positive out of 1,807 results (1.1% positivity)
• Thursday: 26 positive out of 2,437 results (1.1% positivity)
• Friday: 18 positive out of 2,102 results (0.9% positivity)
• Saturday: 39 positive out of 1,996 results (2.0% positivity)

Seventy-one (71) of the new cases are classified as imported with history of travel in the previous 14 days.

The additional 31 new cases are classified as either local transmission (24) or under investigation (7).

Additionally, there have been 12 recoveries and 0 deaths.

There are 152 active cases, of which:

• 15 are under public health monitoring and
• One (1) is in hospital with 0 in intensive care;

Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 5,917 coronavirus cases, out of which 5,659 have recovered, and sadly 106 Covid-related deaths. 

The source of all active cases is as follows:

• 104 are Imported
• 38 are classified as local transmission
• 10 are Under Investigation

Active cases by vaccination status, transmission, and type:

• Imported cases: 91% are fully vaccinated and 9% are not fully vaccinated
• Local/Under Investigation cases: 88% are fully vaccinated and 13% are not fully vaccinated
• By variant type of the 89 active cases where typing is available, 17% (15) are Delta, 83% (74) are Omicron.

The source of all active cases is as follows:

• 824 are Imported
• 5,079 are classified as local transmission of which:
  • 3,119 are Local transmission with known contact/source; and
  • 1,960 are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source

• 14 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 around 1 (0.98).

The Minister of Health Kim Wilson reiterated, “As I have said before, we cannot become complacent. We must continue to be extra vigilant to protect ourselves and our loved ones from this fast spreading virus. Our health and safety depends on being vaccinated and getting your booster, wearing masks, physical distancing, proper ventilation and good hand hygiene. An important reminder, for those who are 65 and over – you don’t need an appointment to get a booster. Anyone 65 and over can simply walk in to Pier Six on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week to receive a booster.

“The coronavirus thrives on human contact, and as we head into the holiday season, we must continue to follow public health guidance. Please do your part to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Avoid the three “Cs”: closed spaces, crowded places, and close contact settings to decrease the odds of getting the coronavirus. Continue to wear a mask, practice good hand hygiene and maintain physical distance.”

The Minister of Health will hold a coronavirus media briefing tomorrow afternoon (December 21), to provide the public with a further update. The media/public will be advised of a time accordingly.

Lastly, the Ministry of Health takes this opportunity to advise about the holiday operating hours for the testing sites and Call Centre. They are as follows:

The Call Centre will operate:

Saturday              December 25, 2021                         8:00am – 4:00pm

Sunday                 December 26, 2021                         8:00am – 4:00pm

Monday               December 27, 2021                         8:00am – 4:00pm

Tuesday               December 28, 2021                         8:00am – 8:00pm

The Testing Sites are as follows:

Perot

Saturday              December 25, 2021         10:00am – 4:00pm

Sunday                 December 26, 2021         10:00am – 4:00pm

Monday               December 27, 2021         10:00am – 4:00pm

Tuesday               December 28, 2021         10:00am – 4:00pm

Bulls Head

Saturday              December 25, 2021         10:00am – 3:00pm

Sunday                 December 26, 2021         10:00am – 3:00pm

Monday               December 27, 2021         10:00am – 3:00pm

Tuesday               December 28, 2021         10:00am – 3:00pm

Dockyard – Old AS Coopers

Monday               December 27, 2021         10:00am – 3:00pm

Pennos Wharf

Tuesday               December 28, 2021         10:00am – 3:00pm