A single new case of Covid-19 was identified today, the health ministry said tonight.

The case was among 300 test results that came back to health officials today.

A spokeswoman for the ministry said the new case was classified as an on-island transmission with a known contact.

She added that there are 26 active Covid-19 cases, four of them in hospital, but none in intensive care.

The other 22 cases are being monitored by health officials.

The latest case brought the number of Covid-19 cases recorded on the island since the pandemic hit to 691.

A total of 653 people have recovered and the death toll linked to infection is 12.

The number of cases classed as on-island transmission with a known source stands at 398.

A total of 87 were on-island transmissions with an unknown source.

Another 199 came in from overseas.

The remaining seven cases are under investigation.

The seven-day average of the real time reproduction number is less than 1 – 0.20 – and the country status remained at “sporadic cases”.

Kim Wilson, the health minister, appealed to the public to sign up for vaccination and said the jab was an essential tool to end the pandemic.

She told the public: “Wearing masks, physical distancing, good hand hygiene and downloading the WeHealth Bermuda app will help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others – but these measures are not enough.

“Vaccines will work with your immune system so it will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed.

“We owe it to ourselves, to our loved ones and to the Bermudian community at large to use every tool at our disposal to try and slow the spread of the coronavirus.”

Ms Wilson said a shipment of 19,500 Pfizer vaccine doses would arrive on island tonight and that the island would move to the next phase of its vaccine allocation strategy.

She added: “As we transition through the phases, there may be changes to the protocols. The Ministry of Health will communicate any changes that may occur.”

Ms Wilson said anyone who wanted vaccination should fill out the form at https://forms.gov.bm/covidvaccine.

But she added: “I will remind everyone that registering your interest does not guarantee you an appointment at this time.

“Supplies of the initial delivery of the vaccine are limited and must be allocated based on medical need.”

She told the public: “All submissions will be reviewed by our medical personnel and prioritised based on their assessments – your submission will be kept on file, and you will be contacted as appointments become available.”

For more information, visit www.gov.bm/vaccines.