Three-quarters of current Covid cases are UK variant - Premier
More than three-quarters of the current active Covid-19 cases in Bermuda are the UK variant, Premier David Burt said in a series of tweets.
And he urged the community to continue to be vigilant, saying, “coronavirus is real, but we can’t let our guard down”.
The Premier posted the Tweets last night, highlighting that 24 of Bermuda’s 31 active Covid-19 cases are the UK variant.
Mr Burt wrote: “Coronavirus fatigue is real, but we can't let our guard down. 24/31 of #Bermuda's active #Coronavirus cases are the ’UK Variant’.
“This strain is known to be more transmissible & is also more deadly. As you move around the island - please remember to follow the rules.
“Avoid large gatherings that are in violation of the rules in place. Please remember to use hand sanitiser, wear a mask and keep your distance from others. The next 6 weeks are critical and will require all of us to do our part to break the chains of transmission.
“It is vital that we follow the simple precautions in place to limit transmission while we continue to immunise our seniors & the vulnerable. We are fortunate to have access to vaccines & are top 10 in the world in testing & vaccinations, but we need to be sensible.”
According to the US Centres For Disease Control, the UK identified a variant called B.1.1.7 which had a large number of mutations in the fall of 2020.
The CDC website says: “This variant spreads more easily and quickly than other variants. In January 2021, experts in the UK reported that this variant may be associated with an increased risk of death compared to other variant viruses, but more studies are needed to confirm this finding.
“It has since been detected in many countries around the world.
“This variant was first detected in the US at the end of December 2020.“
All of Bermuda’s 31 cases are under public health monitoring and none are in the hospital.
Bermuda’s current country status remains listed as ’sporadic Cases’, by the CDC.
Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, said last week: “Getting vaccinated is one of the single most important measures that individuals can take to protect themselves, their loved ones and their community.”
More than one in four people in Bermuda have received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and 16 percent are fully immunised, according to the health ministry.
The ministry said that as of last Wednesday, 17,395 people had had their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine against Covid-19, and of that number, 10,332 had received the two required for full immunisation. This means that 27 per cent of the population have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 16 percent are fully immunised.
Bermuda is currently in Phase 2 of its vaccination programme. Priority is still given to those aged 65 or older. Those wishing to take the vaccine can register or take advantage of government’s walk-in service at the Bermuda College.
The Covid-19 vaccine is only available to Bermuda residents. Proof of ID and residency will be requested at your appointment.
Registration for vaccination can be done online at https://vaccine.resqwest.com/web/
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