Good day.

The Ministry of Health received 1137 test results since the last update, and 16 were positive for COVID-19: Three (3) of the new cases are classified as imported by residents who arrived on American Airlines AA308 from Miami on 8 March 2021. Eight (8) of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact as they are associated with known cases. The additional five (5) 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 no recoveries.

There are currently 68 active cases, of which;

• All 68 are under public health monitoring and;
• None are in the hospital.

Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 789 total confirmed cases of COVID-19; out of those, 709 persons have recovered, and 12 persons have sadly succumbed to COVID-19.

The mean age of all confirmed positive cases is 42 years (median: 39 years), and the ages range from less than one (1) year to greater than 100 years.

The mean age of all currently active cases is 29 years (median: 26 years), and the ages range from less than 10 years (age group: 0-9 years) to greater than 70 years (age group: 70-79 years).

The mean age of all deceased cases is 75 years (median: 77 years), and the ages range from less than 60 years (age group: 50-59 years) to greater than 80 years (age group: 80-100 years).

The source of all cases is as follows:

• 225 are imported
• 553 are classified as local transmission of which:
• 461 are local transmission with known contact/source and
• 92 are local transmission with an unknown contact/source
• 11 are under investigation

As investigations proceed, transmission categories may change.

Of the over 180,000 test results reported, the mean age of all persons tested is 43 years (median:  42 years), and the ages range from less than one (1) year to greater than 100 years.

The seven-day average of our real-time reproduction number is above one (1), and Bermuda’s current country status remains “Sporadic Cases”.

“A year ago today, the Bermuda Government made the difficult decision to suspend services, close businesses, and impose restrictions in our efforts to reduce the spread of the coronavirus in Bermuda,” said Kim Wilson, JP, MP, Minister of Health.

“Today, we find ourselves having to roll back our current restrictions to again, reduce the spread of the highly contagious UK variant. So many people’s lives are now being impacted as a result of a few irresponsible people. This is very disappointing, and again I strongly urge everyone to do their part to stop this virus from spreading.”

“Follow the rules, get tested for the virus and if you can, get vaccinated. As well, please download the WeHealth app if you do not already have it. If you know of people violating the rules and putting the country at risk, please call 211.”

As of Monday, 22 March, Bermuda will be in Phase 3 of the vaccination allocation strategy. Phase 3 allows everyone over the age of 16 to register to be vaccinated.

“Although priority will be given to those aged 65 and over, everyone is now invited to register to be vaccinated,” explained Minister Wilson. “If you are unable to register online, please call the Vaccine Hotline at 444-2498 and select option #2. If you are aged 50 and over, you can also call Age Concern for assistance on 238-7525 between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm from Monday to Friday.”

“Additionally, we would ask that you please do not register your interest if you:

• Have had any other vaccination within the last month
• Have recently travelled. If so, please wait until your negative day 14 test results to complete the online form to register your interest
• Are receiving therapy for any medical conditions. Please consult with your doctor prior to registering your interest
• Are on quarantine. Please complete quarantine, and then you may register your interest.”

Information on the Ministry of Health’s strategy for the initial allocation of the vaccine, and the priority groups, along with additional information on the vaccine itself, can be found on www.gov.bm/vaccines.