Bermuda’s Covid-19 death toll has risen by two to 22 after two more people succumbed to the disease, it was revealed tonight.

The number of patients in intensive care also rose by two to eight since last night’s update.

Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, said the news was a reminder of how serious the pandemic was and that the battle against the coronavirus was far from over.

She added: “My sincere thoughts and prayers continue to be with the families and friends who have to deal with the unfortunate death of a loved one.”

Ms Wilson was speaking as it was announced 35 cases of the virus were detected among 1,277 test results that came back to health officials today.

One case was a resident who arrived on the April 5 American Airlines flight from Charlotte, North Carolina.

The ministry said 16 of the new cases were on-island transmissions and the sources of the other 18 were under investigation.

A total of 81 people have recovered since the last update bringing the total number of active cases to 845.

There are 31 people in hospital, eight in intensive care, and the rest are being monitored by public health officials.

The seven-day average of the real-time reproduction number is 0.75 and Bermuda’s World Health Organisation country status remained at “community transmission”.

The US State Department has warned American travellers against visiting Bermuda.

The State Department website cites a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Bermuda issued by the Centres for Disease Control which indicates a “very high level” of Covid-19.

Ms Wilson appealed to people with vaccination appointments to turn up for their jabs despite the movement restrictions.

She said: “If you have a vaccination appointment scheduled, please do not miss that appointment.

“If you cannot make the appointment, please call the Vaccine hotline at 444-2498 to be rescheduled.”

The Bermuda College vaccination centre will accept walk-ins tomorrow and Friday from 8am to 8pm and between 9am and 3pm over the weekend.

Ms Wilson warned: “There is a lot of misinformation and people posting harmful and inaccurate information on social media along with various conspiracy theories.

“This causes confusion, anxiety and stress and is unhelpful in our efforts to slow the spread of the virus.

“I will remind the public to get reliable, up-to-date information on Covid-19 and the coronavirus vaccine on coronavirus.gov.bm.”

Ms Wilson also asked the public to do their part to curb the spread of the coronavirus by following public health guidelines and talk to their doctors about vaccination.