Eight new cases of COVID-19 identified in Bermuda

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased significantly, with eight new cases confirmed by testing on March 26.

The Ministry of Health received results for 40 COVID-19 tests  on March 26. Of the eight that tested positive for COVID-19, four were imported and three were limited local transmissions, meaning there was known contact with a person who had travelled into Bermuda or a person who had already tested positive. The last case is yet to be determined.

Two of those who tested positive arrived on the British Airways (BA) flight on March 15, while one arrived on the BA flight on March 17. Another arrived on March 20.

David Burt, Bermuda’s Premier, noted that the Bermuda Business Development Agency had chartered flights from Atlanta to assist Bermuda residents unable to return to the island from the US. People who travelled on those flights have been required to self-quarantine, with many being isolated in locations provided by the government.

He warned anyone arriving on future chartered flights would be required to complete their isolation period in a government-approved facility.

People who are already self isolating should continue to do so, Burt said. People who were on the BA flight on March 15 should be in self-quarantine until March 29, while people on the BA flight on March 17 must self-quarantine until March 31. People on the BA flight on March 29 should remain in self-quarantine until April 3. Any symptoms should be reported to the doctor by phone.

Burt promised to maintain the aggressive testing regime, and said the Cabinet will meet on March 27 to consider what additional steps it can take to improve Bermuda’s pandemic response.

This includes how to manage businesses that continue to force people to travel into work or risk losing their jobs, which Burt described as “a direct affront to the public health threat that this pandemic presents,” and “not acceptable.”