Good Day Members of the Media,

Today the Ministry of Health received 222 new test results; 210 were negative, and 12 were positive. 

Out of the new cases 11 were imported and 1 is under investigation.

All persons who returned a positive result have not been released from Government Quarantine Facilities. 

In taking note of the closure of Government offices on 19 March 2020 and extension of the Shelter in Place, Government has instituted temporary emergency measures to assist local and permit companies that do not have the means to facilitate their statutory and fee obligations electronically.

Statutory filings and fees payable by local companies and permit companies due on or before 31 March 2020 pursuant to the provisions of sections 121 and 135 of the Companies Act 1981 should, to the extent possible, have been submitted and paid by all companies.

The Ministry of Health can confirm that two staff members and one resident of Westmeath Residential and Nursing Home have tested positive for COVID-19. 

Good evening Bermuda

We remain humbled to serve as your Government, and are grateful to everyone who has reached out with your words of encouragement, and to everyone who continues to keep us, and the country in your prayers. The days may be long, the work hard, and sometimes discouraging, but through our faith, and with your support we know that we will make it through these days of uncertainty.

Good Afternoon,

Thank you, Premier.

Today, there were 42 test results received; and I’m pleased to report that none were positive.

Following the week-end’s results, Bermuda's total confirmed positive cases stands at 86. Their status is as follows:

This evening (April 20), the Minister of National Security, the Hon. Wayne M. Caines, JP, MP, provided the following update during the COVID-19 press briefing.

Minister Caines said, “The Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR) continue their deployment across the island providing support in a variety of capacities. In partnership with the BPS the RBR recorded the following stops at the Community Advisory Points over a three day period. On Friday 15,213 stops were recorded. On Saturday – there were 8,596 stops; and on Sunday, the RBR recorded 5,031 stops.

Earlier today the Ministry of National Security advised that an online application process will be put in place for businesses seeking approval to operate a service during the next Shelter in Place period.

Following a concerning story posted by TNN this afternoon, the Ministry of Health would like to  dispel misinformation circulating regarding the Matilda Smith Williams Seniors Residence.

The Government today announced that two COVID-19 testing labs are now operational, providing the island with the immediate ability to conduct more than 200 daily tests.

The two labs are Helix Laboratory, which is operated by Dr. Desiree Spriggs and the second, the Bermuda Government Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (MDL) came on line this weekend under the supervision of Dr. Carika Weldon. The two labs, when fully staffed, can run over 900 tests a day. Both facilities will work within the strict public health guidelines set out by the Ministry of Health.

We appreciate and understand the feedback, queries, suggestions and concerns being shared by all those who have expressed an interest in operating a service during the next Shelter in Place period.

However it's critically important to remind the community that we still must ensure that we are following the health guidance to protect and safeguard all our residents from the transmission of the deadly COVID-19 virus.