MINISTRY OF HEALTH COVID-19 UPDATE OCTOBER 29, 2020

Yesterday, there were 811 test results received by the Ministry of Health, and four were positive for COVID-19. These cases are classified as imported and all were residents returning home and had pre-departure tests. One arrived on AC 942 from Toronto on 23 October who tested positive on day 4 and 3 arrived on BA2233 from London on 27 October and tested positive on arrival, with one being symptomatic.
Case isolation and contact tracing has begun.
Bermuda now has 198 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows:

• there are 13 active cases (all imported, consisting of 4 visitors and 9 returning residents). All active cases are under public health monitoring, and
• none are hospitalized or in critical care;
• a total of 176 have recovered, and
• the total deceased remains 9.

The average age of all of our confirmed positive cases is 55 and the age range of all of our positive cases is from 7 to 101 years.
The average age of all deceased cases is 74 and the age range is 57 to 91 years.
The source of all local cases is as follows:

• 87 are Imported
• 90 are Local transmission, with known contact
• 21 are Local transmission with an unknown contact, and
• none are under investigation

Bermuda’s country status is “Sporadic Cases”. The seven-day average of our real time reproduction number is less than 1.
The Minister of Health, Kim Wilson JP, MP would also like to stress that while we have seen the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) change our ranking, we continue to see cases in Bermuda on their day 8 test and the Island has very little room for mismanagement of these cases.
She said: “We must stress the Ministry of Health strongly advises AGAINST any non-essential travel. Essential travel may include for medical visits or children returning to school. We need to continue with your precautions of correct mask wearing, physical distancing and ensuring activities or events, if they must be held, are held outside as often as possible.
“The pandemic is still very much ravaging through the world with many countries going on lockdowns again. We do not want to have to roll-back the current freedoms we have in Bermuda, but if we do not adhere to these public health measures in our offices, homes or other settings we may lose control of this virus.”
The Return to Work after Travel Guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.bm/sites/default/files/11645%20COVID%2019%20-%20Safe%20Return%20to%20Work%20after%20Travel%20Guidance_KS_8_27_20%20%281%29.pdf