The number of people in hospital with Covid-19 has grown by five to 41, the Government announced tonight.

There are six patients in ICU and the number of active cases is now 859 - a slight drop from 877.

Since the last update, there have been 1,279 test results received by the Ministry of Health with 21 positive, giving a positivity rate of 1.6 per cent.

This evening Kim Wilson, the health minister, said: “As a country, we have experienced some incredibly trying and anxious days recently. As we prepare to stay-at-home for the next week, I wish to stress that we are taking these steps to help save lives and get a grip on the current outbreak.

“I understand the concern and angst in our community. However, if we stick to the guidelines that are in place under the Stay-At-Home regulations, I have every confidence that we will safely and effectively get through this as a country.

“During the Stay at Home Order, which starts at 5am tomorrow, you can leave your home if you have an appointment to get the Covid-19 vaccination or to get tested for the coronavirus. You may also attend a doctor’s appointment, and pick up prescriptions from the pharmacy.

“If you have a medical emergency you can go to the Emergency Room or call 911 for help.

“And just a reminder about the B117 UK variant, particularly about its symptoms, which tend to include cough, tiredness, headache, muscle ache and sore throat – these are easily confused with seasonal allergies.

"If you experience any of these symptoms please contact your doctor and make an appointment to get tested. Likewise, if you have been in contact with someone who has these symptoms, make an appointment to get tested.

“Finally, I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their cooperation, and most of all I want to continue to extend my heartfelt thanks to our healthcare team at the Ministry of Health who are working around the clock to ensure the safety of our people.

“Lastly, each of us has a role to play in stopping the spread of the coronavirus. Follow Public Health guidelines, wear a mask, practice good hand hygiene, maintain physical distance and download the WeHealth Bermuda app.

“We are now in Phase 3 of Bermuda’s vaccination programme. If you haven’t already done so, please register to get vaccinated. Visit coronavirus.gov.bm and click on the link at the top of the page to register.”

One of the new cases is classified as imported with details as follows:

• One resident who arrived on Delta Airlines DL 584 from Atlanta on March 27 and tested positive on their Day 14 test.

• 11 of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact as associated with known cases.

• The additional 9 new cases are classified as under investigation. These cases are among residents with no currently identified link to other known cases or history of travel in the past 14 days.

• There were 39 recoveries and no deaths.

Bermuda now has 1,912 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows:

There are 859 active cases, of which

• 818 are under public health monitoring; and

• 41 are in hospital with 6 in intensive care;

- a total of 1037 have recovered, and

- the total deceased remains at 16.

The mean age of all confirmed positive cases is 41 years (median: 40 years) and the ages range from less than 1 year to greater than 100 years.

The mean age of all currently active cases is 41 years (median: 41 years) and the ages range from less than 10 years (age group: 0-9 years) to greater than 80 years (age group: 80-100 years).

The mean age of all hospitalized cases is 63 years (median: 64 years) and the ages range from less than 30 years (age group: 20-29 years) to greater than 80 years (age group: 80-100 years).

The mean age of all deceased cases is 74 years (median: 74 years) and the ages range from less than 60 years (age group: 50-59 years) to greater than 80 years (age group: 80-100 years).

• The source of all cases is as follows:

• 267 are Imported

1,176 are classified as local transmission of which:

- 1,082 are Local transmission with known contact/source and

- 94 are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source

- 469 are Under Investigation

A Health Ministry spokeswoman said: “As investigations proceed, transmission categories may change. Today’s update has 72 cases moving from under investigation to local transmission with known contact/source.”

Of the over 200,000 test results reported, the mean age of all persons tested is 43 years (median: 42 years) and the ages range from less than 1 year to greater than 100 years.

The seven-day average of our real time reproduction number is above 1 (1.09).

Bermuda’s current WHO country status is ’Community Transmission’.

Tn programme. If you haven’t already done so, please register to get vaccinated. Visit coronavirus.gov.bm and click on the link at the top of the page to register.”