The timeline below provides a brief visual overview some of the developments in both Bermuda and around the world, beginning with the detection of a pneumonia of unknown cause in Wuhan, China. It is in no way indicative of all developments, and is a work in progress, and will be updated as time passes. For ease of reading, it is colour coded – international updates are in blue, and Bermuda-specific updates are in pink. You can also see a global timeline, which updates daily here. For a look at the same timeline providing entries in the opposite course of time – showing the latest entries first – click here.
Covid-19
Pneumonia of Unknown Cause
A pneumonia of unknown cause detected in Wuhan, China was first reported to the World Health Organization [WHO] on 31 December 2019. This would eventually be known as Covid-19.
China Reports The First Death Caused By Covid-19
China reported their first known death from an illness caused by the coronavirus. The patient was a 61-year-old man in Wuhan.
WHO Announce First Confirmed Cases Outside China
A World Health Organization situation report detailed the first confirmed cases outside China – in Thailand, Japan and South Korea.
First Coronavirus Case In The USA
The United States announced its first confirmed coronavirus case — a man from Washington state who has recently returned from Wuhan, China.
Bermuda Govt Raises Local Threat Level To ‘Elevated’
Bermuda’s Ministry of Health raised the local threat level from ‘Guarded’ to ‘Elevated” and confirmed that they “are in a state of heightened preparedness for a Public Health Emergency.”
WHO Declares Coronavirus A ‘Health Emergency’
The World Health Organization [WHO] has declared the new coronavirus outbreak to be a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern.”
Who Officially Names The Disease Covid-19
The World Health Organization says the official name for the disease caused by the new coronavirus is Covid-19.
Person Arrives, Later Confirmed To One Of Two First Cases
One of the first two individuals who tested positive for Covid-19 arrived via AA308 from the USA on March 4. The second person arrived via BA2233 from the UK on March 6.
WHO Declares Coronavirus A Pandemic
The World Health Organization declares the novel coronavirus outbreak to be a pandemic.
Bermuda Ban Travelers From China, Iran, Italy, Korea
Government instated a “travel ban disallowing entry to visitors travelling from the four countries where there is sustained community spread of COVID-19: China, Iran, Italy, Republic of Korea: Daegu or Cheongdo.”
US President Declares National Emergency
US President Donald Trump declared a national emergency to help handle the growing outbreak of coronavirus in the USA.
Bermuda Moves To Raise Debt Ceiling By $150M
Due to the expected impact of the global Covid-19 pandemic, Government moved to secure emergency liquidity lines of credit, including an associated $150 million increase in the debt ceiling.
Canada Close Borders To Non Citizens
Canada announce plans to close the border to noncitizens, as the country’s number of confirmed cases rose to over 300. The border restrictions include some exceptions, including for U.S. citizens and air crews.
Permit To Be Revoked If Worker Violates Order
Government notes that individuals, including guest workers, arriving into Bermuda are required to self-quarantine for 14 days and “any guest worker found to be violating the self-quarantine order will immediately have their work permit revoked.”
Self-Quarantine Required For Arriving Passengers
All persons arriving into Bermuda are required to self-quarantine for 14 days
Bermuda Hospital Suspends Elective Surgeries
As a precautionary measure, Bermuda’s hospital suspended elective surgeries from March 18th onwards, in order to start cross-training and upskilling staff, as well as increasing bed capacity.
Bermuda Announce Major Closures: Schools, Airport, Buses & More
Following the first two confirmed cases in Bermuda, major closures are announced, with Government stating that the airport will close for incoming passenger flights for two weeks, schools will close, and public bus and ferry services are suspended.
USA Issue ‘Do Not Travel’ Advisory
The U.S. State Department raised the global travel advisory to the highest tier – Level 4: Do Not Travel – and advised U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel, adding that U.S. citizens should arrange for immediate return to the United States.
Italy’s Coronavirus Death Toll Surpasses China
Italy surpassed China as the country with the most coronavirus-related deaths, registering 3,405 fatalities.
Worldwide Death Toll Surpasses 10,000
As the Covid-19 coronavirus continues to spread around the world, the official death toll surges past 10,000, with over 1/4 million confirmed cases in over 175 countries, areas or territories.
On-Island Testing For Covid-19 Underway
Premier announces that on-island testing for Covid-19 has commenced, with 150 tests on island, and 800 more tests expected to arrive over the next two weeks.
Govt Issues Closure Notice For Specific Establishments
Government is reminding people that a closure notices for specific types of establishments has been issued, and “failure to adhere to the Closure Notice will result in penalties.”
Worldwide Death Toll Surpasses 20,000
As the Covid-19 coronavirus continues to spread around the globe, the official death toll surpasses 20,000, with Italy and Spain recording the most fatalties.
U.S. Has Most Confirmed Cases In The World
The United States surpasses all other nations to have the most cases in the world.
Overnight Curfew Takes Effect in Bermuda
An island-wide curfew order takes effect, restricting most residents from going out from 8pm – 6am.
State Of Emergency Declared
The Premier has asked the Governor to declare a state of emergency and direct that Bermuda’s residents must shelter in place for 14 days.
Over 1 Million Cases Worldwide
The number of confirmed cases worldwide surpasses one million, with over 50,000 deaths worldwide.
Incoming Passengers Placed In Govt Quarantine Facility For 14 Days
The Government’s Quarantine Order mandates that all persons entering Bermuda from April 3rd will “be placed in quarantine for a period not exceeding 14 days, at a place approved by the Quarantine Authority for the purpose.”
Shelter In Place Comes Into Effect
The Shelter in Place policy comes into effect, with residents asked not to leave their homes unless for specific purposes such as grocery shopping. It will last for 14 days.
Residents Advised To Use Face Coverings
The Bermuda Ministry of Health release guidance, advising the “use of simple cloth face coverings to slow of the spread the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.”
Global Death Toll Exceeds Bermuda’s Population
A sobering and sad statistic, the global death toll from Covid-19 has now exceeded the entire population of Bermuda, with over 65,000 deaths recorded worldwide.
Dr Carika Weldon Returns Home
Dr Carika Weldon, a Bermudian scientist, returns home from the UK to assist in the island’s testing programme.
Bermuda Records First Two Covid-19 Related Deaths
The Premier of Bermuda confirms the sad news that the island has recorded our first two Covid-19 related deaths.
Bermuda Records Third Covid-19 Related Death
Premier David Burt confirms that another person has died, marking the third Covid-19 related death in Bermuda.
Worldwide Death Toll Surpasses 100,000
With Covid-19 continuing to spread around the world, the official global death toll has now surpassed 100,000 people.
Govt Confirms 24 New Cases, Total Of 81
With 24 new cases, the island now has a total of 81, with 23 of the latest positive tests associated with the outbreak at Matilda Smith.
Bermuda Now Has A Total Of 99 Cases
The Government confirmed one more positive test, bringing the total on the island to 99.
Drive-Through Facility Opens At Southside
A multi-lane drive-through testing facility opens at Southside.
American Death Toll Exceeds 50,000
The U.S. death toll from the coronavirus exceeds 50,000, accounting for more than a quarter of the world’s deaths.
Govt Confirms 1 New Case, Total Of 110
The Government confirmed one more positive test, bringing the total on the island to 110.
Three More Positives, Total Of 114
The Government confirms that three more people tested positive for Covid-19; Bermuda now has a total of 114 confirmed positive cases.
‘Shelter-In-Place’ Ends In Bermuda
‘Shelter-in-place’ protocols end in Bermuda at 6.00am, with new regulations going into effect immediately.
