The Government last night continued to urge the public to consider Covid-19 vaccinations as the number of active cases of the virus in the latest outbreak continued to rise.

Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, said: “What the past has shown is whenever there is an outbreak of confirmed cases there are hospitalisation and potentially deaths.

“What we know is those who are vaccinated have less severe symptoms. I encourage those who are not vaccinated to consider getting the Covid-19 vaccine.

“This could ultimately save lives.”

On Friday Government announced another 25 cases of Covid-19 had been reported on the island, bringing the number of active cases to 71.

Of those cases, 61 have been confirmed as the highly contagious Delta variant that has been blamed for a surge of cases internationally.

Michael Dunkley, the Shadow Minister of Health, urged the public to take precautions in light of the rising number of cases in Bermuda and internationally.

“The recent spike, the fourth during the pandemic, is a cause for concern and should provide an impetus for everyone to take precaution and protect themselves and those around them with the habits which have proven successful such as social distancing and wearing masks indoors in busy public places,” he said.

Mr Dunkley urged the public to get vaccinated to help protect themselves from the virus.

“With restrictions being eliminated and the onset of the Delta variant it is hardly surprising that we now have a spike as to many have dropped their guard and not enough of us our vaccinated to a level creating community immunity,” Mr Dunkley said.

“We must raise our vaccination level in the community and at the same time keep our guard up as the virus does not discriminate."

The health ministry reported last week that the number of Covid-19 vaccinations continued to slowly inch up with 64.1 per cent of the population having received two doses of the vaccine.

However vaccination rates are higher among the more vulnerable senior population, with 82.5 per cent of residents over the age of 65 having had at least one dose and 81.3 per cent fully immunised.

Further statistics are expected to be released tomorrow.