The Bermuda Hospitals Board suspended all non-emergency surgery yesterday as the health service braces itself for Covid-19.

A BHB spokeswoman said the halt will allow time for operating theatre staff to be “upskilled” with extra training in critical-care management.

She emphasised that emergency and urgent surgeries,

including surgery for cancer, will continue.

Michael Richmond, the BHB chief of staff, said: “We do not take this step lightly and apologise to elective surgery patients who will no doubt feel frustration, anxiety and upset.

“We are, however, facing an unprecedented situation. As an island, we do not have access to a bank of staff to just bring in to work, so we are looking to maximise the resources we have to care for the most critically ill who may come to us.

“We do not have confirmed Covid-19 cases yet in Bermuda, but we have to prepare in case they do come and in case the situation escalates quickly, as has happened elsewhere. We cannot wait to start the training.

Dr Richmond added that it was not known when non-urgent surgery would restart or when the Covid-19 threat would be over.

He said: “We will constantly monitor the situation, however, and restart as soon as it is safe to do so.”

BHB also announced that it would limit hospital visits to help protect patients, staff and supplies at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute and group homes.

Only immediate family or carers will be allowed to visit general acute patients, long-term care and residential units, and patients in isolation will only be allowed one visitor a day.

Judy Richardson, the chief of nursing, said: “We do not take this step lightly, as we recognise the power of family in visiting people when they are unwell or vulnerable.

“But we also have to acknowledge that a Covid-19 infection can be much more serious and deadly for seniors and people with existing medical conditions — and these are the people we care for.”

A BHB spokesman added that free wi-fi was available for patients and visitors and they advised contact with friends and family through social media sites WhatsApp and Skype or other apps.

Dr Richmond said: “We apologise to people who want to visit their loved ones, but hope they understand we must put our patients and staff first.

“Many people do not get seriously ill from Covid-19 or have no symptoms at all, so we anticipate someone could inadvertently visit their loved one and infect them.

“Additionally, we need to preserve personal protective equipment in the face of global shortages. We are preparing in case Covid-19 is an issue for many months, or longer.”

He added: “Our expectation is that we may have to close visiting at some point if Covid-19 spreads locally, but this balance gives patients and residents some access to the love and support of their families, while reducing the risks of exposure and preserving personal protective equipment.”

Dr Richmond said the public should take preventive measures to protect themselves from the virus and help healthcare staff to save lives.

He explained: “We can slow down the spread by washing hands, not touching our faces, coughing and sneezing into tissues, wearing masks if we are sick and avoiding groups, meetings, shaking hands and hugs.

“This will give us the opportunity to manage the demand on healthcare more effectively.”

Dr Richmond warned: “If we do not act as individuals and a community, we may experience a sudden peak and the healthcare system could struggle.”