Bermuda’s coronavirus test regime ranks top in the Americas and seventh worldwide per head of population, it was revealed last night.

Kim Wilson, the health minister said the island had carried out nearly 46,000 tests during the pandemic.

She was speaking as it was announced the total number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 held steady at 172 after 734 tests for the illness came back clear yesterday.

A total of 87 cases were on-island transmissions with a known contact, 64 came in from overseas and 19 were local transmissions with an unknown contact and two cases are under investigation.

There were six active cases of the illness, all under public health monitoring, with none in hospital.

Ms Wilson said a new travel authorisation regime would come into force on September 9.

The authorisation must be bought one to three days before travel to allow the pre-departure test to be uploaded and reviewed.

Only nose and throat swab tests will be accepted, and results must be negative and done at an accredited lab with details supplied.

Visitors without a valid test result will not be able to travel to Bermuda.

Residents who cannot provide a valid pre-departure test will be issued a travel authorisation, and quarantined as required.

The authorisation fee will rise to $105 to cover the cost of electronic quarantine bracelets.

Ms Wilson said test capacity was being increased in care homes to allow them to do their own tests, including staff.

She was joined by David Burt, the Premier, who said the use of quarantine bracelets had started on Monday.

Mr Burt added that he and Ms Wilson are to continue to give regular updates on Covid-19 each Tuesday.