Bermuda recorded 25 new cases of Covid-19 in just three days, with the majority transmitted locally, the health ministry said last night.

Of Bermuda’s 71 active cases, 61 are the more virulent Delta variant and two are Beta.

Furthermore, 64 per cent of the local transmissions are of unvaccinated people, although this includes people who are not eligible for vaccinations.

The cases were found in 7,630 test results representing a test positivity rate of 0.3 per cent.

Fifteen of the new cases are local transmission with a known contact and the additional three new cases are classified as under investigation – residents with no identified link to other known cases or history of travel within two weeks. That brings the number of unidentified cases to 13.

Some 90 per cent of travellers to Bermuda are vaccinated, and of the 29 imported cases, 24 were fully vaccinated and five were unvaccinated, including children who are not eligible for vaccination.

Of the 71 active cases, 14 are of children who are 10 or under, three are teenagers, eight are in their 60s and three are in their 70s. Full details can befound here

Of the active cases which are local transmission or under investigation, 15 are fully vaccinated and 27 are not vaccinated, including those not eligible.

Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, said last night: “The question has been asked many times by members of the public whether or not people who have been vaccinated can test positive for Covid-19. The answer is yes and as has been stated several times in the past, if you have been immunised, the risk of you getting the disease is much lower but vaccinations don’t completely stop you from getting it. However, the Covid-19 vaccine does lessen the severity of the disease and its symptoms.

“A person who has been vaccinated can have the coronavirus but show no symptoms or have only mild symptoms of the disease, and that person might pass the virus on to family, friends and colleagues.

“The research on this is still under way. However there is strong evidence to suggest that those who are immunised do have a lower viral load of the coronavirus and are far less likely to be hospitalised or, in the worst case, die from the Covid disease.

“Notwithstanding, because the science is not yet conclusive, and with the increase in the number of confirmed cases, it is important that everyone continues to follow the guidelines.”

There were seven new cases on Monday, ten on Tuesday and eight on Wednesday.

Seven of the new cases are classified as imported.

One was a visitor who arrived on the JetBlue flight from Boston on August 2 and tested positive on their arrival test.

One was a resident who arrived on American Airlines from Charlotte on August 2 and tested positive on arrival.

Three were residents aboard the Delta Air Lines flight from New York on July 26 and tested positive on day eight.

One resident arrived on British Airways from London on August 3 and tested positive on arrival and another resident arrived via Delta Air Lines from Atlanta on July 31 and tested positive on day four.

There have been seven recoveries and no more deaths reported since the last Covid-19 update on Tuesday.

Of the 71 active cases, 68 are under public health monitoring and three are in hospital including one in intensive care.

Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 2,614 cases of Covid-19 of which 2,510 have recovered and 33 have died.

Of all cases, 373 are imported, 2,228 are classified as local transmission.

Of the local cases, 1,733 are with a known contact, 495 are with an unknown contact. Thirteen cases are under investigation.

For information regarding age distributions, visit https://www.gov.bm/coronavirus-covid19-update

The seven-day average of Bermuda’s real-time reproduction number is less than one while the island’s current WHO country status remains “Sporadic Cases”.

Ms Wilson reiterated the Covid-19 guidelines, saying: “If you are sick, stay at home, wear a mask, practice good hand hygiene, maintain physical distance and download the WeHealth Bermuda app. If you haven’t received the Covid-19 vaccine, do the research, talk with your doctor and make an informed decision.”