The Ministry of Health received 1315 test results since the last update, and 20 were positive for coronavirus, yielding a test positivity rate of 1.5 %. 

Four of the new cases are classified as imported. One resident and one non-resident who arrived on American Airlines AA 2044 from Charlotte on 18 April 2021 and tested positive on their Day 4 test. One non-resident who arrived on Delta Airlines DL 617 from New York on 18 April 2021 and tested positive on their arrival test. One non-resident who arrived as a mariner on 22 April 2021 and tested positive on their arrival test.

Seven of the new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact as they are associated with known cases.

The additional nine new cases are classified as under investigation. These cases are among residents with no currently identified link to other known cases or history of travel in the past 14 days.

Additionally, since the last update, there were 64 recoveries, and there were no deaths.

There are 676 active cases, of which:

·         648 are under public health monitoring and

·         28 are in hospital with 8 in intensive care; 

Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 2335 confirmed cases of coronavirus, out of which a total of 1636 have recovered, and 23 persons have sadly succumbed to COVID-19.

For information regarding age distributions and overall transmission categories, please refer to https://www.gov.bm/coronavirus-covid19-update.

The seven-day average of our real-time reproduction number is 0.77. Bermuda’s current WHO country status remains “Community Transmission”.

The Ministry of Health is reminding the public that the Bermuda College vaccination centre is accepting walk-ins on Sunday, 25 April, from 9 am to 3 pm. You don’t need to register online – you can just show up. Going to and from your vaccination is allowed under the current restrictions.

Additionally, on Sunday, 25 April, the Bermuda Red Cross is coordinating with the Bermuda Taxi Owners/Operators Association free rides to Bermuda College for persons who need transportation for their vaccine. This service is provided between the hours of 9:00 am and 1.30 pm to members of the community who have no form of transportation and wanting to be vaccinated at Bermuda College. Members of the public wishing to arrange transportation through the Bermuda Red Cross should call 232-1945.

From Monday, 26 April, the Bermuda College vaccination centre will continue to be open for walk-ins from 9 am to 1 pm. Walk-ins are welcome every weekday morning. Those with appointments at the College vaccination centre are asked to attend the Old Wing of KEMH for their vaccination. The vaccination hotline will be doing phone follow up to confirm those appointments. The Department of Health’s nurses will be mobile, providing the community with a ‘drive thru’ service in the east, west and central areas of the island.

“My heartfelt thanks to the team at our vaccination centres, and the entire vaccination team working tirelessly this week accommodating additional walk-ins,” said Minister of Heatlh, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “Thanks also to the Bermuda Red Cross and the BTOA for arranging transportation to the Bermuda College vaccination centre this weekend. We all want to ensure that everyone has easy access to the COVID-19 vaccines. Getting vaccinated is important so that we can protect each other and get back to normal as quickly as possible.”

The next COVID Update release will be on Monday, 26 April 2021.