“I am sad to report that we had two coronavirus-related deaths since our last update on May 11,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson. “I extend my condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased.”

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 9183 test results, and 307 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 3.3%.

These results are from testing done on:

• Tuesday: 58 positive out of 1494 results (3.9% positivity)
• Wednesday:  33 positive out of  1286 results (2.6% positivity)
• Thursday: 41 positive out of 1285 results (3.2% positivity)
• Friday: 69 positive out of 1399 results (4.9% positivity)
• Saturday: 25 positive out of 771 results (3.2% positivity)
• Sunday: 36 positive out of 1009 results (3.6% positivity)
• Monday: 45 positive out of 1846 results (2.4% positivity)

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

The additional 269 new cases are classified as either local transmission (62) or under investigation (207).

Additionally, there were 301 recoveries.

There are 360 active cases, of which:

• 355 are under public health monitoring; and
• 5 are in hospital, with 0 in intensive care.

Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 14442 coronavirus cases, out of which 13945 have recovered, and sadly there have been 137 coronavirus-related deaths. 

The source of all active cases is as follows:

• 41 are Imported
• 84 are classified as local transmission
• 235 are Under Investigation

The source of all confirmed cases is as follows:

• 2715 are Imported
• 11058 are classified as local transmission of which:
  • 5056 are Local transmission with known contact/source and
  • 6002 are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source
• 669 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 0.90.

For information regarding other conditions being reported to the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, please refer to https://www.gov.bm/health-information.

Since January 11, 2021, Bermuda residents have received a total of 132,650 vaccinations.

Of the 132,650 vaccinations given as of May 14, 2022:

• 52% are women and,
• 48% are men

87.0% of all residents over the age of 65 years have had at least one vaccination, and 85.8% are fully immunized

To date, 75.8% of the population has been vaccinated (1 dose), and 74.4% of the population has been immunized (2 doses).

70.4% of those eligible for a booster have received their booster, and 10.8% of those with a booster have received a second booster dose.

“Cases are still rising, and people in our community have stayed home with serious coronavirus symptoms and unfortunately died before they got to the hospital,” said Minister Wilson. “Regardless of your age, if you have worsening coronavirus symptoms, especially shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, diarrhea and/or vomiting, immediately contact your primary care provider or the hospital (239-2009) for guidance.”

 There will be a pop-up vaccination clinic sponsored by Bermuda Medical Doctors Association (BMDA) at the back of “Charities House” 25 Point Finger Road, Paget, this Saturday, May 21^st from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Walk-ins are allowed but appointments are encouraged.

 “We are grateful to Omni Medical for hosting this clinic,” said Minister Wilson. “Vaccinations remain our best protection to minimize severe illness and hospitalisations due to COVID-19, and anyone who wants to get vaccinated should take advantage of this additional opportunity to do so.”

 “Vaccinations and boosters are also available through the Hamilton Health Centre, 67 Victoria Street. These vaccinations are by appointment only, with no walk-ins. Call 332-8906 for assistance in scheduling an appointment.

“The pediatric doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for children will end at the end of May. Parents who wish to have their child vaccinated should register their child on gov.bm/vaccines and then contact their paediatrician to register an interest in getting the vaccine. If your child does not have a paediatrician contact the Hamilton Health Centre on 332-8906 for assistance in scheduling an appointment. If you have questions, please contact vaccine@gov.bm or call 444-2498 and select Option #2.”

For information on vaccine eligibility and where to get the vaccine, go to: https://www.gov.bm/vaccines.

Residents can get an outbound “Fit-to-Fly test at Washington Mall through May 31 2022 or through participating labs or pharmacies across the island.

To book at Washington Mall through May 31, go to: https://bdagovcovid.resqwest.com/web/

A list of participating pharmacies and labs providing supervised antigen tests, including Fit-to-Fly tests, is available at: https://bhec.bm/covid-testing-facilities/ .

To book a test through one of these private providers, go to: https://www.healthiq.bm/covid

If you are experiencing symptoms, please contact your doctor. If necessary, they can schedule a symptomatic testing appointment at Perot Post Office.  

Perot Post office is no longer open to residents for outbound testing, with the exception of students studying abroad. Students can walk in at Perot Post Office to get a student outbound antigen test. They must show a student ID to get a test.

“As always, everyone must be responsible and take action to stay safe,” concluded Minister Wilson. “Avoid closed spaces, crowded places and close contact settings. Continue to follow Public Health guidance, practice good hand hygiene, ensure proper ventilation indoors, wear a mask and maintain physical distance.”