Good afternoon.
I am joined today by the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ayoola Oyinloye, and Dr Carika Weldon, Director of the Bermuda Molecular Diagnostics & Research Laboratory.
Bermuda currently has 31 active cases, all of which are persons under public health monitoring, with no-one in the hospital.
Of the active cases:
- 26 are imported
- 2 are classified as local transmission, and,
- 3 are under investigation
We have undertaken genome sequencing on the active cases, and while most of them are of the Delta variant, one case is the Omicron variant.
The sequencing was done by MDL lab, and it indicates the presence of Omicron in one imported case identified over the weekend.
As this is the first time a local laboratory has completed genomic sequencing for the Omicron variant, this sample will be also be sent for sequencing overseas as part of our quality assurance process.
This is the same quality assurance process highlighted last week which involved 33 samples being sent overseas. Unfortunately, we do not yet have the results of that analysis from the US lab but expect to have those results this week.
It is important to remember that we have very strong surveillance in Bermuda, so the contact tracing for this active case is completed, and the close contacts are in quarantine. We only have the one case at this time.
The Government has proceeded slowly in relaxing our border protocols, so, unlike other countries which are hurrying to re-impose testing and quarantine requirements, our existing, sound testing and surveillance policies are working to our advantage. The Omicron variant was identified quickly and, in our view, there is no need to panic.
Successful public health measures such as SafeKey supplement our testing and surveillance policies and, together, are effective in reducing transmission of the virus which causes COVID-19.
As a reminder, however, those people returning to the island who are not vaccinated must quarantine for 14 days. If you cannot quarantine alone, then the entire household must quarantine with you. If the household cannot or will not quarantine with the traveler, then the traveler must do the 14 days of quarantine in a hotel, guest house or Airbnb at his or her own expense.
Our current case numbers are encouraging, and our CDC Travel Health Notice level is at Level 3. The WHO and PAHO no longer track country transmission levels, but Bermuda’s indicators would place us at ‘clusters of cases’.
With respect to vaccines…
To date, 71.9% of the population has been vaccinated (1 dose), and 70.3% of the population has been immunized (2 doses).
Additionally, 24.1% of the population have received a booster.
I have said many, many times, vaccination remains the best protection against the virus, and in Bermuda, it is easy to get vaccinated.
COVID-19 vaccinations are available at the Hamilton Health Centre, 67 Victoria Street, every Tuesday from 2 – 4 pm. These vaccinations are by appointment only, no walk-ins. You can get your 1st, 2nd or 3rd dose. Call 332-8906 for assistance in scheduling an appointment, or you can book online at www.gov.bm/vaccines.
Additionally, until December 22nd, 1st and 2nd appointments can be made at the KEMH Vaccination Clinic on Tuesday and Thursday, 4 to 7 pm, and Saturday, 8 am to 4 pm, and walk-ins are accepted. You can book online at www.gov.bm/vaccines or call the Vaccination Hotline at 444 2498 (option #2) for assistance.
For those eligible for the booster vaccine, please book an appointment on gov.bm by selecting “Book a Booster Vaccine Appointment.” Alternatively, call the Vaccination Hotline at 444 2498 (option #2) or email vaccine@gov.bm. Those persons 65 and older can walk into Pier 6 for a booster, and throughout November and December, KEMH booster clinics will be held on Wednesday 8 am – 8 pm, and Sunday 8 am-8 pm. The last clinic is on 23rd December.
Please note, we are coming to the end of the “mass” phase of the vaccination campaign.
I encourage everyone who is eligible for a first, second or booster jab to get it before Christmas. The last clinic at KEMH will be held on 22 December and at Pier 6 and the Hamilton Health Centre on 23 December. In the New Year, vaccinations and boosters will transition to other outlets on an appointment basis only. The details of this transition are being worked on now but I would like to take this opportunity to thank the physicians and pharmacists who have stepped forward to express an interest in delivering the vaccines. We look forward to working with you.
Overall, I can say things are improving; however, to help reduce the further spread of the virus, I encourage everyone to be cautious and avoid the three “Cs”: closed spaces, crowded places and close contact settings. This is especially important as we come up to the festive season.
Each of us has a role to play in stopping the spread of the coronavirus. Follow Public Health guidelines, continue to wear a mask indoors and outdoors if you cannot physical distance, practice good hand hygiene, maintain physical distance and download the WeHealth Bermuda app.
Thank you.