Bermuda identifies another case of COVID-19

Bermuda has conducted 30 more tests for COVID-19, with one new person testing positive for the virus on March 25.

The new case was imported to the island, with the patient having travelled to Bermuda on March 11 on the British Airways flight 2233.

David Burt, Bermuda’s Premier, advised anyone else who was on the March 11 flight who is displaying any symptoms to contact their doctor by phone, and not to visit the doctor’s office or hospital. For those displaying no symptoms their period of self isolation is now over.

The other 29 results from Bermuda’s tests were negative. The result means that, of the 51 tests Bermuda has conducted locally, only one person has tested positive for COVID-19.

Burt noted that COVID-19 tests are most accurate for people who are symptomatic, and warned that premature testing might provide misleading information. “The immediate priority is for persons with symptoms and a relevant travel history, or persons with symptoms who are close contacts of a confirmed case,” he said. “Additional priority are hospitalised patients with respiratory symptoms and symptomatic health care workers.”

He said plans to empower the government to compel businesses to allow employees to work from home where possible are still being worked out, promising a further update on March 26. But he urged companies that were not offering flexibility to their workers to change course before the government is forced to intervene.

Burt noted that COVID-19 is like no other event any Bermudian has seen in their lifetime. “I honestly can’t say when this COVID-19 era will be over,” Burt admitted. “What I can say, is that we all must do our part. If we listen to the health guidance that has been given, practice social distancing, and if we wash our hands, and stay at home, we can flatten the curve and make sure our health services and our hospital is not overwhelmed.”