The Ministry of Health received 12,615 test results since the last update, and 52 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 0.4%.

These results are from testing done on:

• Wednesday, August 11: 12 positive out of 2821 results (0.4% positivity)
• Thursday, August 12: 2 positive out of 3086 results (0.1% positivity)
• Friday, August 13: 9 positive out of 2671 results (0.3% positivity)
• Saturday, August 14: 15 positive out of 2344 results (0.6% positivity)
• Sunday, August 15: 14 positive out of 1693 results (0.8% positivity)

21 of the new cases are classified as imported with details as follows:

• 1 resident who arrived on Delta Airlines DL 584 from Atlanta on August 1 and tested positive on their day 14 test
• 1 resident who arrived on American Airlines AA 2044 from Charlotte on August 4 and tested positive on their day 10 test
• 2 residents who arrived on Jet Blue B6203 from Boston on August 5 and tested positive on their day 10 test
• 1 resident who arrived on British Airways BA 159 from London on August 5  and tested positive on their day 8 test
• 2 residents who arrived on American Airlines AA 2044 from Charlotte on August 4 and tested positive on their day 4 test
• 1 resident who arrived on Jet Blue B61731 from New York on August 8 and tested positive on their day 4 test
• 1 non-resident who arrived on American Airlines AA 2044 from Charlotte on August 9 and tested positive on their day 4 test
• 1 resident who arrived on Delta Airline DL 617 from New York on August 9  and tested positive on their Day 4 test
• 3 residents who arrived on American Airlines AA 2044 from Charlotte on August 10 and tested positive on their day 4 test
• 1 resident who arrived on Delta Airlines DL 584 from Atlanta on August 10 and tested positive on their day 4 test
• 1 non-resident who arrived on Delta Airlines DL 584 from Atlanta on August 12 and tested positive on their arrival test
• 2 residents who arrived on British Airways BA 159 from London on August 13  and tested positive on their arrival test
• 1 non-resident who arrived on American Airlines AA 2044 from Charlotte on August 14 and tested positive on their arrival test
• 1 resident who arrived on Jet Blue B61731 from New York on August 14 and tested positive on their arrival test
• 2 residents who arrived on United Airlines UA 1985 on August 15 and tested positive on their arrival test

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

The additional 9 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 31 recoveries and 0 deaths.

There are 113 active cases, of which:

• 112 are under public health monitoring and
• 1 is in hospital in intensive care

Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 2715 confirmed coronavirus cases, out of which 2569 have recovered, and sadly 33 COVID related deaths.

The source of all active cases is as follows:

• 42 are Imported
• 55 are classified as local transmission of which:
  • 55 are Local transmission with known contact/source and
  • are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source
• 16 are Under Investigation

Active cases by vaccination status, transmission, and type:

• Imported cases: 29 (69%) are fully vaccinated, and 13 (31%) are not vaccinated.
• Local/Under Investigation cases: 18 (25%) are fully vaccinated, and 53 (75%) are not vaccinated.
• Of the active cases by variant type: 0 are Alpha, 0 are Beta, 96 are Delta, 0 are Gamma, 0 are wild type, 13 cannot be determined, and 4 are not available.

The source of all confirmed cases is as follows:

• 412 are Imported
• 2280 are classified as local transmission of which:
  • 1783 are Local transmission with known contact/source and
  • 497 are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source
• 23 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 less than one (1).

Bermuda’s current WHO country status remains “Sporadic Cases”.

Bermuda has completed 32 weeks of vaccinations. Since January 11, Bermuda has administered a total of 84,022 vaccinations.

Of the 84,022 vaccinations given as of August 14:

– 52% are women and,

– 48% are men

82.7% of all residents over the age of 65 years have had at least one vaccination, and 81.6% are fully immunized.

To date, 65.9% of the population has been vaccinated (1 dose), and 64.6% of the population has been immunized (2 doses).

“The Cabinet Committee for the Coronavirus met yesterday to consider recommendations to changes to Public Health Emergency Regulations given the increasing cases and positivity rates,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP.  “The changes will be announced tomorrow and will come into effect on Friday.”

“Everyone needs to follow public health guidelines, and please do not let your guard down,” “We are still experiencing an increase in cases, and without following the safety precautions we all know – wearing a mask, practising good hand hygiene and keeping physically distanced from those not in our household – this current outbreak can grow to a 4^th wave. We all have the power to prevent that by getting back to basics.

“If you are feeling ill or have any of the following symptoms, make an appointment to get tested for the coronavirus: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache or sore throat, new loss or taste of smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea or new confusion. Some of these symptoms are similar to a cold or sinus issues but could be the coronavirus.”

“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. 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.”

“As always, to decrease the odds of getting the coronavirus, avoid the three “Cs”: closed spaces, crowded places and close contact settings.”

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.