Increased restrictions on visitors will be introduced at the island’s hospitals because of the recent surge of the UK variation of Covid-19.

The Bermuda Hospitals Board said a raft of restrictions will come into effect at both King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and the Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute at noon tomorrow.

The move comes after nine people attended the Emergency Department who were Covid-19 positive.

Michael Richmond, BHB CEO and president, said they were concerned at the increasing number of infections on the island.

He said: “This poses a grave threat to our vulnerable patients and residents, and our response is a first step based on current data.

“If prevalence continues to rise, we may be forced to stop all visiting and look at other restrictions.

“We will be monitoring the test results from Government closely each day, as well as our own numbers.”

Dr Richmond said nine people attended the Emergency Department between last Friday and this Monday who were Covid-19 positive.

He added: “This is the direct consequence of the number of infections rising in the community.

“We hope, however, that people in Bermuda will continue to pull together, follow the public health guidance, and get vaccinated as this is our path back to some level of normalcy.

“We each have the power to stand against Covid-19, save lives and get the country through, and if the prevalence reduces again we will once more relax visitation.”

A BHB spokeswoman said that under the new restrictions, long term care residents and patients in isolation in any ward will no longer be able to receive visitors.

She said: “Acute and critical care patients can have one designated person who can visit them during their stay. The designated person can visit once a day for up to two hours between noon and 6pm.

“Gosling (Children’s ward) will allow limited visits by parents only, and maternity visiting will stay the same as before, with one designated support person able to attend the birth and visit once a day if the mother stays longer than 24 hours.”

Anyone visiting or attending BHB facilities must first go through a temperature and mask check.

They must use the available hand sanitisers, and wear a mask and maintain physical distancing at all times

The spokeswoman added that while no significant changes will be made at the emergency department or the Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre, patients who attend both should come on their own.

She said: “Due to the need for appropriate physical distancing, the waiting room cannot safely accommodate companions, relatives or carers as well as patients.

“As such, companions, relatives or carers can only be permitted in certain situations, such as one parent with their under-18 child or a carer or relative with a vulnerable or combative patient.

“As an indoor space, the risks of transmission rises with the number of people in the waiting room and the time they are waiting.”

Patients at Agape House in their last phase of dying will be allowed two visitors in the room at a time who will be required to wear full personal protective equipment.

The spokeswoman said patients and residents can remain in touch through free wi-fi.