MR SPEAKER,

I want to take this time today to provide updates on some COVID Related School Matters as we prepare to return to school next week Monday. Some have questioned the policies currently in place. More specifically, there has been a growing misconception that there is some disparity between Public Schools and Private Schools guidelines. This cannot be further from the truth, as the policies in place for schools apply equally to both public and private schools. Today, I will provide the necessary information to clarify some of these misconceptions hopefully.

“Bermuda has recorded another coronavirus death,” announced Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “I extend sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, and I pray that they find comfort in the memories of their loved one.”

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 3465 test results, and 70 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 2.0%.

These results are from testing done on:

§  Sunday: 18 positive out of 914 results (2.0% positivity)

§  Monday: 27 positive out of 1359 results (2.0% positivity)

“I am sad to report today that Bermuda has recorded another coronavirus related death since our last update,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “I extend my heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of the deceased.”

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 5051 test results, and 100 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 2.0%.

These results are from testing done on:

§  Wednesday:  41 positive out of 1201 results (3.4% positivity)

§  Thursday: 23 positive out of 1400 results (1.6% positivity)

“Bermuda has recorded another coronavirus related death since our last update,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and loved ones of the deceased.”

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 3063 test results, and 88 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 2.9%.

These results are from testing done on:

§  Sunday: 6 positive out of 715 results (0.8% positivity)

§  Monday: 44 positive out of 1376 results (3.2% positivity)

“Sadly, Bermuda has recorded another coronavirus related death,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “I extend sincere condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of the deceased.”

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 5142 test results, and 137 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 2.7%.

These results are from testing done on:

§  Wednesday:  38 positive out of 1221 results (3.1% positivity)

§  Thursday: 45 positive out of 1425 results (3.2% positivity)

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members,

As I reflect back on the past 26 months, it actually pains me to recall the huge devastation caused to, and sacrifices made by, so many people in our community as we fought together against a pandemic never before seen in our generation as when the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a global pandemic.

“I am sad to report tonight that we have another coronavirus related death,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “I extend sincere condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.”

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 4169 test results, and 128 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 3.1%.

These results are from testing done on:

§  Sunday: 29 positive out of 1184 results (2.4% positivity)

§  Monday: 57 positive out of 1575 results (3.6% positivity)

(Hamilton, Bermuda - Friday, January 31 2022) – The Cabinet Office today announced that the Bermuda Health Council would continue to provide support to transition activities at the Bermuda Molecular Diagnostic and Research Laboratory (MDL), in accordance with the Bermuda Health Council Act 2004.

“Sadly, Bermuda has recorded another coronavirus related death”, said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “I extend my deepest condolences to everyone associated with the deceased.”

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 6199 test results, and 241 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 3.9%.

These results are from testing done on:

§  Wednesday:  80 positive out of 1823 results (4.4% positivity)

§  Thursday: 66 positive out of 1767 results (3.7% positivity)

Good afternoon.

I begin my remarks today by reporting that since our update on Monday, Bermuda has another two COVID-19 related deaths.

I extend sincere condolences to the family and friends who recently lost a loved one in circumstances related to this coronavirus. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

This omicron variant continues to take a toll on our community. It spreads quickly and we have quite a number of active cases, primarily through community transmission.