Government of Bermuda
Good Evening,
We have called this press conference today to inform you that just two hours ago, the first diagnosed cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Bermuda.
The Government of Bermuda understands that this news will leave many residents concerned; and with questions. We understand these concerns and want to reassure you that we are taking this development extremely seriously.
This afternoon the care home team of the Ministry of Health held a COVID-19 preparedness meeting at the K. Margaret Carter Centre for all categories of care home staff.
At the meeting, co-presenters Ja-Mae Smith, Programme Manager of the Care Home Regulation Programme; and Rosheena Masters, Department of Health Long Term Care Quality Officer, discussed preparation strategies to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Long Term Care Homes.
The public is advised that the Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) convened a meeting earlier today (March 16) to assess the latest health, public services and private sector information and plans regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus).
This afternoon’s meeting was co-chaired by Premier the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP, and the Minister of National Security the Hon. Wayne Caines, JP, MP. The Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson, JP, MP, the Governor, Mr. John Rankin, Deputy Governor Ms. Alison Crocket and Police Commissioner Steven Corbishley were also in attendance.
The Ministry of Health can confirm that as of today, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19, also referred to as the coronavirus, in Bermuda. We can confirm that the rumors to the contrary currently circulating via social media and throughout the community are false.
Minister Wilson urged members of the public to rely only on official sources of information to prevent damaging rumours from creating false narratives and diverting public health resources away from situations posing an actual threat.
On Saturday afternoon, The Ministry of Health facilitated a training session for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC).
All arriving passengers from the UK this evening and on all flights tomorrow, 16 March, 2020, will be required to complete a detailed Health questionnaire setting out their travel history for the last 14 days and are strongly urged to self-quarantine for the next 14 days.
The Ministry of Health wishes to advise the public that today an incorrect number was provided as a COVID-19 hotline on the Dr Dowling radio show by Dr Janie Brown, and it is appearing on the Facebook pages of numerous physicians and dentists. The number is not correct. The Ministry of Health COVID-19 Hotline is being set up and will be announced through normal Government official channels next week.
Earlier today, I attended a meeting of the Public Health Emergency Response Team (PHERT), which has been meeting regularly since the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus.
Led by the Ministry of Health, as of last week Monday this body mirrors the EMO structure, with which we are very familiar, and brings together all relevant agencies to coordinate our efforts at preparing for this urgent public health crisis.
Dr. Cheryl Peek-Ball, the Chief Medical Officer stated, “We recognize that the World Health Organization today declared the coronavirus (COVID-19) a pandemic. The declaration of a pandemic is based on the geographical spread of the disease and not a change in its severity. The World Health Organization Director General stated: ‘Describing the situation as a pandemic does not change WHO’s assessment of the threat posed by this virus. It doesn’t change what WHO is doing, and it doesn’t change what countries should do.’ The Ministry of Health will continue to prepare for COVID-19.
Mr Speaker and Honourable Members,
I know everyone in Bermuda is getting into a state of preparedness for the potential arrival of Covid-19 to our shores. I want to give this House and my Honourable colleagues assurance that the Government is taking proactive steps to effectively respond to this global outbreak.