The public is being to call before visiting King Edward VII Memorial Hospital with Covid-19 symptoms.

In an animated video, the Bermuda Hospitals Board said patients should check the Covid-19 checklist online.

The video adds: “Think you still need medical help? Do not turn up in person at hospital before calling! Use your phone!

“Call – don’t just turn up! We will advise by phone how to come in for care safely, if needed.”

The BHB on Sunday urged families to take their loved ones home to ensure there is enough space for people who require hospital care after reports of patients experiencing prolonged waits for beds.

Judy Richardson, Chief of Nursing for BHB, said on Sunday: “Hospitalisation numbers due to Covid-19 are rising in the wake of a sustained surge of cases in the community.

“The pattern seen the world over is when community cases rise and stay high, hospitals can become overwhelmed very quickly.

“We are preparing internally, but we also need families to ensure their loved ones who are in hospital go home as soon as they are medically fit to do so.”

On Tuesday evening there were 43 Covid-19 patients at the hospital, five of whom were in intensive care and three were intubated.

Anyone with Covid-19, symptoms of the virus or who is in quarantine should call 239-2009 or 239-1301 before visiting the emergency department

Symptoms of Covid- 19 can include:

· Coughing,

· Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing,

· Fever of 100.4°F or higher or a sense of having a fever,

· Sore throat,

· Chills,

· New loss of taste or smell,

· Muscle or body aches,

· Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea,

· Congestion or runny nose,

· Unusual tiredness,

· Headaches.