“Sadly, Bermuda has recorded two more coronavirus related deaths. I extend my sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased,” said the Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson, JP, MP.

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 3450 test results, and 12 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 0.3%.

• Sunday: 2 positive out of 1631 results (0.1% positivity)
• Monday: 10 positive out of 1819 results (0.5% positivity)

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

The additional ten new cases are classified as either local transmission or are under investigation.

Additionally, since the last update, there have been 38 recoveries and two deaths.

There are 99 active cases, of which:

• 78 are under public health monitoring and
• 21 are in hospital, with 6 in intensive care

Since the last public report on Monday, there have been two admissions and one discharge from the hospital.

Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 5637 confirmed coronavirus cases, out of which 5438 have recovered, and sadly 100 COVID related deaths.

The source of all active cases is as follows:

• 15 are Imported
• 57 are classified as local transmission
• 26 are Under Investigation

Active cases by vaccination status, transmission, and type:

• Imported cases: 94% are fully vaccinated, and 6% are not vaccinated
• Local/Under Investigation cases: 31% are fully vaccinated, and 69% are not vaccinated
• Variant typing is not available at this time due to the prioritisation of test results.

The source of all confirmed cases is as follows:

• 650 are Imported
• 4679 are classified as local transmission of which:
  • 2909 are Local transmission with known contact/source and
  • 1762 are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source
• 316 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 0.64. Bermuda’s current country status is Community Transmission. Community transmission is characterised by an increased incidence of locally acquired, widely dispersed cases, with many cases not linked to specific clusters.

We have completed week 41 of vaccinations. Since 11 January, Bermuda has administered a total of 92,770 vaccinations.

Of the 92,770 vaccinations given as of 23 October:

• 52% are women and,
• 48% are men

85.9% of all residents over the age of 65 years have had at least one vaccination, and 83.8% are fully immunised.

To date, 70.4% of the population has been vaccinated (1 dose), and 68.1% of the population has been immunised (2 doses).

From 11 January, 2021, when Bermuda’s vaccine campaign began, to Epi Week 42 ending 23 October, 2021, Bermuda’s Covid-19 hospitalisations and deaths of vaccinated and unvaccinated persons are as follows:

Hospitalisations [including repeat admissions] totalled 302 of which:

• 269 or 89% were persons who were not fully vaccinated, and,
• 33 or 11% were fully vaccinated.

To 23 October, Bermuda has also sadly had 84 deaths, of which:

• 71 or 85% were not fully vaccinated
• 13 or 15% were fully vaccinated

Those who have decided to get vaccinated can book an appointment or walk into the KEMH Vaccination Clinic on Tuesday and Thursday, 4 to 7 pm, and Saturday, 8 am to 4 pm. Medical doctors will be at KEMH to answer any questions about COVID-19 and the vaccines.

COVID-19 vaccinations are also available at the Hamilton Health Centre, 67 Victoria Street, every Tuesday from 2 – 4 pm. These vaccinations are by appointment only, no walk-ins. You can get your 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd dose. Call 332-8906 for assistance in scheduling an appointment, or you can book online atwww.gov.bm/vaccines.”

“I encourage anyone who wants to get vaccinated to register their interest as soon as possible on gov.bm/vaccines,” added Minister Wilson. “The COVID-19 vaccine remains our best defence in preventing the spread of this virus. It will decrease symptoms and severe illness and, in most cases, prevent death.

“This week, there is also a second vaccination centre at the National Sports Centre for those eligible for the booster dose, Monday – Friday, 12 pm -6:30 pm.

“Those 65 and over, as well as pregnant women who have had their second dose at least six months prior, are eligible to make their own appointments. To book your own booster appointment, please visit https://www.gov.bm/vaccine-booster or click the link at the top of gov.bm that says “Book a Booster Vaccine Appointment.” Those persons who are not in the above eligibility category, will be unable to book an appointment at this time.”

For persons who do not have access to the internet or need assistance in making appointments, please call the Vaccine Centre on 444-2498-option #2, where the team will assist with booking an appointment.  You can also contact your doctor for assistance.

Minister Wilson concluded, “The Ministry of Health is pleased to announce changes to the Public Health (COVID-19 Emergency Powers) (Phased Re-opening) Regulations 2021 as listed below.

1. Curfew will be lifted.
2. Group sizes will be limited to a maximum of 30 people (up from 20 people) unless a large group exemption is granted. This impacts:
   • weddings, funerals and domestic partnerships’ services and ceremonies, as well as the wakes and receptions,
   • recreational boats, which are limited to 30 people, and,
   • Island Boats, where SafeKey is required for boats with more than 30 people.
3. The number of people permitted to sit at a table will no longer be restricted to 10, and this applies to bars, clubs and restaurants.

“The changes will come into effect at 6 am on 1 November 2021.”

“Additionally, the United States Consulate yesterday provided updates to the U.S. International Air Travel Vaccine Policy as announced by President Biden. Starting on 8 November, foreign national air travellers to the United States will be required – with only limited exceptions – to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to fly to the United States. This has serious implications for our unvaccinated citizens who wish to travel to the U.S. or who may have to travel there for medical reasons.

“I encourage everyone who has not been vaccinated to seriously consider the implications in the event they need to travel to the U.S.”

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. Follow Public Health guidelines, wear a mask, practice good hand hygiene, maintain physical distance and download the WeHealth Bermuda app.