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.

“I am saddened to report two coronavirus related deaths since our last update,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “I extend my sincere condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of the deceased.”

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 8187 test results, and 622 were positive for the coronavirus.

These results are from testing done on:

§  Friday: 179 positive out of 2300 results (7.8% positivity)

§  Saturday: 57 positive out of 1664 results (3.4% positivity)

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 6035 test results, and 603 were positive for COVID-19.

These results are from testing done on:

§  Tuesday: 225 positive out of 1945 results (11.6% positivity)

§  Wednesday: 222 positive out of 2281 results (9.7% positivity)

§  Thursday: 156 positive out of 2034 results (7.7% positivity)

107 of the new cases are classified as imported with a history of travel in the previous 14 days.

The additional 496 new cases are classified as either local transmission (56) or under investigation (440).

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 7,125 test results, and 689 were positive for the coronavirus.

These results are from testing done on:

§  Tuesday: 204 positive out of 2372 results (8.6% positivity)

§  Wednesday: 243 positive out of 2305 results (10.5% positivity)

§  Thursday: 242 positive out of 2448 results (9.9% positivity)

189 of the new cases are classified as imported with a history of travel in the previous 14 days.

The Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation (DYSR) advises parents and guardians that there will be a delay in the After School Programme and After School Club services due to Covid-19 related staff shortages and pending test results. 

The Department is doing everything possible to ensure DYSR services can resume in full on Monday, 10 January 2022. The Department will provide a further update over the weekend.

As it stands currently:

 Schools that have gone back in and after-care service will be suspended today, Friday 7 January:

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 13,772 test results and 406 were positive for COVID-19, giving a test positivity rate of 2.9%.

These results are from testing completed between December 22 and 28, inclusive:

Sadly, the Ministry of Health can confirm that it has been notified of four COVID-19 related deaths.

It’s important to note that two of the deaths occurred in September and November, respectively, and are being reported following ongoing death certificate reconciliation.

This brings the total of confirmed COVID-19 related deaths to 110.

The other two deaths occurred during the week of December 20th, 2021.

Good Afternoon Bermuda,

I am joined today by the Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson and the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport Dr. The Hon. Ernest Peets as we provide the country with an update on the public health regulations in response to the growing threat of the Omicron variant.

The Ministry of Health is advising that additional appointments for vaccine boosters have been added for Pier 6. 

To book a booster appointment, visit www.gov.bm.

The Ministry notes that there are a limited amount of appointments and will be looking to increase the opportunity for booster doses over the next month. 

The Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson said, “If your second vaccine dose was more than 6 months ago and you are 18 years old or older, please go online to book your booster. 

The Ministry of Health has made an important update to the Amendments to the Quarantine (COVID-19) (No. 3) Order 2020 that went into effect on December 13th, 2021.

Initially, the requirement was that visitors aged 12 years or older who are not ordinarily resident in Bermuda must be fully immunised to land in Bermuda, whether arriving by air or by sea.

The age has now been changed and all visitors aged18 years, and older who are not ordinarily resident in Bermuda must be fully immunised to land in Bermuda, whether by air or sea.