There were 6535 test results received by the Ministry of Health since the last update, and three (3) were positive for COVID-19, giving a test positivity rate of 0.05%.

These results are from testing done on:

• Monday, July 19: 0 positive out of 2206 results (0.0% positivity)
• Tuesday, July 20: 2 positive out of 2127 results (0.09% positivity)
• Wednesday, July 21: 1 positive out of 2202 results (0.05% positivity)

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

• 1 resident who arrived on Delta Airline dl 584 from Atlanta on 16 July 2021 and tested positive on their day 4 test
• 1 resident who arrived on British Airways BA 159 from London on 13 July 2021 and tested positive on their day 8 test

  The additional new case is classified as under investigation. This case is among a resident with no currently identified link to other known cases or history of travel in the past 14 days.

  Additionally, there was one (1) recovery and 0 deaths.

  There are currently 17 active cases, of which;

• 17 are under public health monitoring and
• Zero are in the hospital.

Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 2538 total confirmed cases of COVID-19; out of those, 2488 persons have recovered, and sadly, there were 33 COVID-related deaths.

The source of all cases is as follows:

• 340 are Imported
• 2196 are classified as local transmission of which:
  • 1699 are Local transmission with known contact/source and
  • 497 are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source
• 2 are Under Investigation

For information regarding age distributions, please refer to https://www.gov.bm/coronavirus-covid19-update

As investigations proceed, transmission categories may change. The seven-day average of our real time reproduction number is less than 1. Bermuda’s current WHO country status remains “Sporadic Cases”.
The Ministry of Health continues to be optimistic about reaching community immunity, albeit at a slower pace. Bermuda has one of the best vaccination records globally, where vaccines have not been mandated in any circumstance. In comparable jurisdictions, guest-workers have been required to get vaccinated to remain in the country, while in Bermuda, we have not taken that approach.

Effective today (July 23), for all travelers arriving and onwards:

•       vaccinated travellers on-island testing regime changes to Day 0/4/10 (day 8 and 14 tests are replaced with a Day 10 test)
•       unvaccinated travellers on-island testing regime remains the same
•       unvaccinated quarantined at own accommodation: test on day 0,14
•       unvaccinated quarantined at govt hotel: test on day 0,13, leave on day 14
•       unvaccinated minors travelling in immunized family will have a Day 0,4,10,14 test schedule

To be clear, there is a first 14 days test for children which applies to unvaccinated children of vaccinated parents, and those are the children whose tests will be changed from day 4, 8 and 14 to day 4, 10 and 14.
These parents and children will be able to walk-in and test on day 8 & 14, so that their children can return to school/camp after day 8.

The next Close to Home mobile vaccinations will be at Washington Mall this Saturday, July 24, in the space behind Gibbons Home Store and across from Gold Standard from 10 am – 2 pm.

There will be doctors on-site to answer any questions you have, and you don’t need an appointment. You can just show up and roll up your sleeve.
We recommend the Close to Home mobile vaccination programme as an ideal opportunity to learn more for those people who want to hear about the COVID-19 vaccine from a trusted source.
Please bring ID when coming to the vaccine centres.

As we have under investigation cases, it is essential that all persons adhere to public health guidelines Wear a mask, practice good hand hygiene, maintain physical distance and download the WeHealth Bermuda app. Do the research, talk with your doctor and make an informed decision about getting the COVID-19 vaccine. There is a wealth of information about the vaccines online at gov.bm.

Avoid the three “Cs”: closed spaces, crowded places and close contact settings.