Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 4124 test results, and 31 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 0.8%.

These results are from testing done on:

• Sunday: 6 positive out of 923 results (0.7% positivity)
• Monday: 17 positive out of 1569 results (1.1% positivity)
• Tuesday: 8 positive out of 1632 results (0.5% positivity)

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

The additional 10 new cases are classified as either local transmission (8) or under investigation (2). 

Additionally, there have been 4 recoveries and 0 deaths since the last update.

There are 62 active cases, of which

• 61 are under public health monitoring and
• 1 is in hospital with 0 in intensive care;

Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 5815 confirmed coronavirus cases, out of which 5647 have recovered, and sadly 106 COVID related deaths.

The source of all active cases is as follows:

• 42 are Imported
• 16 are classified as local transmission
• 4 are Under Investigation

Active cases by vaccination status, transmission, and type:

• Imported cases: 93% are fully vaccinated, and 7% are not vaccinated
• Local/Under Investigation cases: 95% are fully vaccinated, and 5% are not vaccinated
• By variant type of the 47 active cases where typing is available, 34% (16) are Delta, 60% (31) are Omicron

The source of all confirmed cases is as follows:

• 753 are Imported
• 5052 are classified as local transmission of which:
  • 3095 are Local transmission with known contact/source and
  • 1957 are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source
• 10 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 0.68.

We have completed week 48 of vaccinations. Since January 11, Bermuda residents have received a total of 110,329 vaccinations.

Of the 110,329 vaccinations given as of December 11:

• 52% are women and,
• 48% are men

86.8% of all residents over the age of 65 years have had at least one vaccination, and 85.4% are fully immunized.

To date, 72.1% of the population has been vaccinated (1 dose), and 70.6% of the population has been immunized (2 doses).

Additionally, 28.2% of the population has received a booster.

The Ministry of Health has a small amount of Astra Zeneca vaccine on island, and if anyone is interested in receiving first, second or booster doses should contact the Covid Hotline, 444-2498.

The Ministry of Health is holding an additional Flu Express on Saturday, December 18 2021, from 9am – 2 pm at the National Stadium Pavilion. The Flu Express is $15.00 per shot (for both adults and children). Persons over the age of 65 will receive the seasonal flu vaccine free of charge.

Register and give consent online by going to the Government website https://www.gov.bm/. Click on the yellow tab ‘Flu Vaccine Registration’ on the top right-hand corner of the page, follow the consent prompt, and enter the required information. The direct link ishttps://forms.gov.bm/Influenza-Vaccine-Consent. An email will be sent to you and is required to be shown when you arrive for vaccination.

Alternatively, persons can call the hotline at 799- 1524 / 332-8902 to pre-register. If you cannot pre-register online or by phone, you can fill out the consent at the vaccination express location.

“The Omicron variant is spreading quickly, and now is not the time to let our guard down, now is the time to be extra cautious,” warned the Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP.  “Our health and safety depends on being vaccinated (including getting your booster if eligible), wearing masks, physical distancing, proper ventilation and really good hand hygiene. We must do it all.

“As the World Health Organization warned this week, the Omicron variant is spreading at a rate we have not seen with any previous variant.

“The coronavirus thrives on human contact, and as we head into the holiday season, we must continue to follow public health guidance.

“Everyone must do their 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, maintain physical distance and download the WeHealth Bermuda app.”

The Minister of Health will hold a coronavirus media briefing tomorrow (December 17), 2 pm at the AB Place media room.