Four new coronavirus cases were recorded yesterday, the health ministry has announced.

The victims – all returned residents with pre-departure tests – were among 811 test results that came back to health officials.

The news sparked a warning from Kim Wilson, the health minister, against overseas travel unless it was essential.

Ms Wilson said: “Essential travel may include for medical visits or children returning to school.”

She told the public: “We need to continue with your precautions of correct mask wearing, physical distancing and ensuring activities or events, if they must be held, are held outside as often as possible.

“The pandemic is still very much ravaging through the world with many countries going on lockdowns again.

“We do not want to have to rollback the current freedoms we have in Bermuda, but if we do not adhere to these public health measures in our offices, homes or other settings we may lose control of this virus.”

She was speaking after one coronavirus case arrived on the Air Canada flight from Toronto on October 23, who tested positive on day four and three came in on the British Airways flight from London on October 27 and tested positive on arrival, with one showing symptoms.

Health officials said the people were isolated and contact tracing had started.

The results bring the total of confirmed cases of the coronavirus to 198.

There are 13 active cases, four visitors and nine returned residents.

All the cases are being monitored and none are hospitalised.

A total of 176 people have recovered, and number of deaths linked to Covid-19 stands at nine.

The average age of confirmed cases is 55 and the age range is from 7 to 101 years.

The average age of all deceased cases is 74 with an age range from 57 to 91.

A total of 87 cases came in from overseas and 90 were on-island transmissions, with a known contact.

On-island transmissions with an unknown contact amounted to 21.

None are under investigation

Bermuda’s country status remained at “sporadic cases”.

The seven-day average of the real time reproduction number is less than 1.

The Return to Work after Travel Guidance can be found at https://www.gov.bm/sites/default/files/11645%20COVID%2019%20-%20Safe%20Return%20to%20Work%20after%20Travel%20Guidance_KS_8_27_20%20%281%29.pdf