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Updated: Sep 19, 2021 8:36 PM
Another death from Covid-19 was announced last night as the number of active infections rose to 1,238.
The grim news means the death toll now stands at 38, with 51 people hospitalized, including 13 in intensive care.
The island recorded 191 other infections out of 3,543 tests carried out on Tuesday – a 5.4% positivity rate and another daily record.
Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, warned: “Our situation is critical.
“This epidemic continues to spread rapidly – it is everywhere in our community and, at the risk of causing panic, it is only a matter of time before the situation is unmanageable.”
Ms Wilson said: “The hospital, public and private labs, contact tracers, testers, indeed our entire healthcare industry, are all under tremendous pressure.
“They do a fabulous job and I cannot praise them enough.
“But we all need to do our part to help alleviate that pressure.”
Ms Wilson added: ‘Sadly tonight I am reporting another Covid-related death.
“I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. “
The island has now registered 945 cases in the nine days between last Monday and Tuesday.
Tuesday’s high of 191 cases replaces the previous high of 150 set on Monday.
The record before that was 130, set last Wednesday.
Public safety measures to tackle the current wave of Covid-19 went into effect last night. They understand:
A curfew from 12:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. for the next two weeks. People will have to stay at home between these periods, although workers in essential services are exempt.
The size of large gatherings will be reduced from 50 to 20 people for the next four weeks.
Restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and sports or member clubs should limit tables to a maximum of ten customers, with tables six feet apart.
Bar service will be permitted but customers must be seated. Standing in bars will not be allowed.
The police will have the power to shut down establishments if they do not follow public health guidelines.
No boat rafting will be permitted, whether recreational or commercial.
Face masks should be worn indoors and should also be worn in crowded outdoor environments where a physical distance of six feet cannot be maintained.
Of the 1,238 active cases, 88 are believed to have been imported, 213 are due to local transmission and 937 are under investigation.
The vast majority of positive test results come from patients who have not been vaccinated.
Ms Wilson also revealed that the government would introduce a more efficient system of contact tracing.
She said: “When a test result is positive, individuals will be notified via the email address provided when booking their test.
“The notification email will include the necessary information about the steps the person testing needs to take regarding the isolation and other issues.
“It’s a great tool to help our contact tracers who are overwhelmed by the large number of cases. “
Ms Wilson told the audience: “Please provide an email address on your test booking if you would like to benefit from this faster notification process.”
Ms Wilson renewed her plea for anyone with symptoms of Covid-19, even minors, to stay at home.
And she called on hospital patients who were “medically fit for discharge” to return home.
Ms Wilson said: ‘The hospital is under tremendous pressure and it needs space for additional admissions, not all of which are related to Covid.
“An overwhelmed hospital with no available beds puts critically ill patients at risk.
“Anyone who can be discharged from the hospital must leave the hospital to free up much-needed bed space. “
Ms Wilson called on the country to “act responsibly and adhere to public health guidelines.”
She said: “Bermuda, we are in a very serious situation and in order to overcome this we have to take responsibility for ourselves and those of other members of our community.”
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