There were 556 test results received yesterday and one was positive for Covid-19 — which is classified as imported having arrived on BA 2233 from London on October 27 – so the island now has 19 active cases.
A Government spokesperson said, “There were 556 test results received by the Ministry of Health yesterday [4 November 2020], and one was positive for COVID-19.
“This most recent case is classified as imported having arrived on BA 2233 from London on 27 October 2020. This case is a returning resident who is asymptomatic and had both a negative pre-arrival test and arrival test. This case has been in quarantine since arrival as is also a close contact of a known case from the same flight.
“Bermuda now has 207 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows:
- there are 19 active cases [all imported, consisting of 5 visitors and 14 returning residents], who are
- all under public health monitoring, and
- none are hospitalized or in critical care;
- a total of 179 have recovered, and
- the total deceased remains 9.
“The average age of all of our confirmed positive cases is 54 and the age range of all of our positive cases is from 7 to 101 years.
“The average age of all deceased cases is 74 and the age range is 57 to 91 years.
“The source of all cases is as follows:
- 96 are Imported
- 90 are Local transmission, with known contact
- 21 are Local transmission with an unknown contact, and
- none are under investigation
“Bermuda’s country status is ‘Sporadic Cases’. The seven-day average of our real time reproduction number is less than 1.
“As of yesterday, Bermuda now has eight positive cases from the 27 October BA 2233 flight from London. As such, and out of an abundance of caution, the Ministry of Health has made the decision to quarantine all passengers onboard that flight as per the Quarantine [COVID-19] [No.3] Order 2020. Yesterday passengers received a letter from the Ministry advising them of this directive as well as a hard copy notification when they attended their Day 8 testing yesterday.
The Minister of Health Kim Wilson said: “As the number of positive cases from the BA 2233 27 October flight increases, the Ministry of Health feels the quarantining of all passengers until 10 November is the appropriate action to take.
“Despite the fact that travellers on this flight may have tested negative on arrival and on Day 4, the incubation period for COVID-19 is up to 14 days, which means that the virus may be undetectable in your body during that time as the virus replicates itself.
“We understand the inconvenience this decision may cause these travellers but ask that they consider the worst case scenario should we not act in this way.
“I ask that all passengers follow the quarantine instructions provided to them and monitor themselves for symptoms as per public health instruction.
“Tomorrow I will provide an update regarding any positives identified during the day 8 test for this flight.”
“The following instructions were issued to all travellers from this flight yesterday:
- “After attending for Day 8 testing today, immediately return to your accommodation. Strictly adhere to physical distancing [6 feet]; especially from vulnerable people, housemates and people not on the flight.
- “Use good hygiene [covering your coughs and sneezes, hand-washing] and mask-wearing.
- “Avoid all public spaces where there is close contact with others including all public transport [taxis, ferries and buses].
- “Take your own temperature and check yourself for symptoms twice per day. If your temperature is over 100.4F or 38C, or you develop symptoms please isolate and contact the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit. Also seek medical care, with the assistance of your guest accommodation, as needed.
- “A special location for Day 14 testing will be made and communicated to you.
- “A member of the COVID-19 surveillance and case management team will remain in contact with you over the quarantine period.
- “Please refer here for more information.”
