Three more deaths from Covid as active cases rise
Three deaths linked to Covid-19 were reported yesterday by health officials, bringing the island’s confirmed death toll from the pandemic to 134.
Bermuda also continues to see a climbing rate of new infections, with 409 active cases – the highest number of cases since January 30, when 471 cases were reported.
It marked another significant rise from the 376 active cases of the virus at the last update on April 27, when there were nine people in hospital.
There are now seven people in hospital, with none in intensive care.
There were 344 positive cases found in 8,859 test results from Tuesday of last week through to this Monday, yielding a test positivity rate of 4 per cent.
There have also been 308 recoveries.
Of the new cases, 45 came from overseas, 105 were classed as local transmission and 194 are under investigation.
Kim Wilson, the health minister, offered condolences to the loved ones of the three people lost to the virus.
She “strongly recommended” that people wear a mask when out in public.
“I also want to remind the public that Bermuda’s testing strategy is largely antigen testing,” Ms Wilson said.
“Access to PCR tests in government testing facilities is limited.
“If you test positive on a Covid-19 test, whether self-administered or supervised antigen or a PCR test, by law you must isolate immediately.
“You can contact your doctor for further guidance.”
Ms Wilson said the Government’s vaccination clinic from the former Crisson’s art gallery at 71 Front Street was now closed.
Vaccines and boosters are available by appointment only at the Hamilton Health Centre on Victoria Street, with first, second or third doses provided.
Appointments can be booked at 332-8906 or online at the Government’s website.
Paediatric doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for children will end at the end of May.
Parents who wishing to get their child vaccinated should register their child online and then contact their paediatrician to register an interest in getting the vaccine.
Families without a paediatrician should contact the Hamilton Health Centre on 332-8906 to schedule an appointment.
Fourth doses of the vaccination are now appearing on Government-issued vaccine certificates.
The document is being updated in keeping with the standards of other countries, and Ms Wilson said the certificate would get a QR code that could be scanned at US and Canadian airports “in the coming weeks”.
To date, 74.3 per cent of the population have received two doses of the jab, while 71.2 per cent of people eligible for the booster have received one, and 10.8 per cent have had two boosters.
Questions can be sent to vaccine@gov.bm, or by calling 444-2498 and selecting option 2.
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