“Sadly, Bermuda has recorded another coronavirus related death,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “I extend sincere condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of the deceased.”

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 5142 test results, and 137 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 2.7%.

These results are from testing done on:

• Wednesday:  38 positive out of 1221 results (3.1% positivity)
• Thursday: 45 positive out of 1425 results (3.2% positivity)
• Friday: 39 positive out of 1616 results (2.4% positivity)
• Saturday: 15 positive out of 880 results (1.7% positivity)

19 of the new cases are classified as imported with a history of travel in the previous 14 days.

The additional 118 new cases are classified as either local transmission (54) or under investigation (64).

Additionally, there were 296 recoveries.

There are 311 active cases, of which:

• 300 are under public health monitoring; and
• 11 are in hospital, with 1 in intensive care.

Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 11058 coronavirus cases, out of which 10628 have recovered, and sadly there have been 119 coronavirus-related deaths.

The source of all active cases is as follows:

• 45 are Imported
• 126 are classified as local transmission
• 140 are Under Investigation

Information regarding active cases by vaccination status, transmission, and type is unavailable.

The source of all confirmed cases is as follows:

• 2209 are Imported
• 6960 are classified as local transmission of which:
  • 3973 are Local transmission with known contact/source and
  • 2987 are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source
• 1889 are Under Investigation

As investigations proceed, transmission categories may change. For 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 0.55.

“With respect to our vaccination programme, in recent weeks, we have fielded many questions from parent’s keen to have their younger children vaccinated. We are pleased to report that their wait is over. The United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has confirmed that on February 19, 2022, they will be providing to Bermuda 2000 pediatric doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5-11. This is welcoming news as we can soon offer the Covid-19 vaccine to those parents who wish to have their children immunized. More details as to how and when to register your child will be provided in the coming days.”

“With respect to the recent announcement relating to the discontinuation of Safekey, though we have heard from many establishments of their pleasure in this news, we wish to remind restaurants, bars and clubs that there is still a requirement to collect contact tracing information. Contact tracing is an essential part of controlling outbreaks and the main way to stop any further spread.

“We must keep doing our part to keep each other safe and to help stop the spread of the coronavirus,” concluded Minister Wilson. “As always, to decrease the odds of getting the coronavirus, increase fresh air ventilation wherever possible when indoors and avoid the three “Cs”: closed spaces, crowded places and close contact settings. Follow Public Health guidelines, wear a mask, practice good hand hygiene, and maintain physical distance.”