Bermuda has had 206 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows:

there are 21 active cases (all imported, consisting of 8 visitors and 13 returning residents), who are
all under public health monitoring, and
none are hospitalized or in critical care;
a total of 176 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:

95 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.

Minister Kim's remarks:

Yesterday I advised the public via press release that on 1st November 2020 two visitors to Bermuda broke the requirements of paragraph 12 of the Quarantine (COVID-19) (No. 3) Order 2020. The individuals willfully broke their quarantine to attend a celebratory gathering, prior to receiving the results of their COVID-19 arrival test as provided for under paragraphs 9 and 10 of the Quarantine Order.

Both pleaded 'guilty' to the offense. The court made the decision to fine them $2500 dollars each or face 250 days in prison. Their COVID-19 test has since returned a 'negative' result.

Although it is disappointing that two of our visitors broke their quarantine requirements this weekend, I wish to commend the outcome of yesterday's court decision. The prosecution of these individuals demonstrates that Bermuda takes the protection of our borders and the health of our people extremely seriously. I greatly hope that further breaches will not occur and potential offenders are now dissuaded from such actions.

I would like to also advise that there are two students and the parent of one of those students who have recently been identified as contacts of a case. With the assistance of the school nurses, the Department of Health has been in contact with these persons and has required them to quarantine. They will also be tested for COVID 19 tomorrow.

The School Outbreak plan is being finalized and the Ministry of Health is arranging meetings with school Principals to discuss expectations and implementation.

I now wish to remind workplaces that they must follow the Return To Work Guidance which can be found at coronavirus.gov.bm.

Specifically, I wish to encourage employers and employees to pay particular attention to WHEN it is safe for them to return to work following travel.

This decision is based on whether you work in a high, medium or low risk setting, and advice will be different depending on the type of workplace you have, and the degree of risk it attracts. One thing that ALL the Guidance has in common is that you absolutely cannot return to work without a negative COVID-19 arrivals test. I want to repeat that – you are breaking the law by entering your workplace without waiting for a negative arrivals test to go along with your negative pre-departure test. This means, for example, if you have a meeting the day you land in Bermuda and do not have a negative arrivals test you CANNOT attend that meeting in-person.

Also, I know I have mentioned the concept of “mobile quarantine” during several recent press conferences, but it is crucial that travellers understand that there are certain activities you MUST NOT DO until you have cleared the mobile quarantine period of 14 days post-travel:

DO NOT attend events with large groups of people (e.g. weddings, parties, family gatherings, etc.);
DO NOT hug or kiss;
DO NOT visit elderly relatives or friends at high risk for COVID.

Conversely, you should:

Keep away from crowded places;
Stay out of closed spaces with poor ventilation;
And wear a mask in all public places.

Activities that are ‘okay’ to do for travellers with a pre-departure test and negative arrival test include things like taking a walk or bike ride outdoors, dining outside, going to the beach, swimming in a pool, hiking the railway trail etc. However, things like going to the gym or spa are not recommended until you receive the results of your Day 8 test.

I know there will soon be many students returning home to Bermuda for the holidays…Parents, PLEASE ensure that your children are following mobile quarantine advice.

Once again, I would like to encourage returning travellers to take particular care and follow enhanced precautions during the time between having their pre-departure test and boarding their flight back to Bermuda. Consider everyone you come into contact with a potential carrier of COVID-19. Wear your mask. Be extra vigilant in avoiding those who seem unwell. Keep at least a six foot distance between yourself and others. Wash your hands often. Carry a travel-sized bottle of hand sanitizer and use it frequently. Avoid crowds and any situations where you are unmasked with others in a poorly-ventilated space.

The past few days and weeks have seen three large sporting events take place in Bermuda, meaning increased visitors to our shores. Therefore, I am encouraging any volunteers or spectators from the recent golf, sailing or rugby events who have been in close contact with visitors or persons outside of their household (within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes) to get tested for COVID-19 at one of the pop up testing sites across the island. The November pop-up testing schedule has been posted at coronavirus.gov.bm.

While the Ministry of Health’s testing of travellers is doing an excellent job in keeping Bermuda safe, periodic screening of the population is a good way to add another layer of protection. This is particularly pertinent when we consider that the incubation period for COVID-19 is up to 14 days…This means that some people who test negative on arrival and even on day 4, may not show up as a positive until day 8 because the virus is still incubating until that point and not detectable in their body. It is the silent incubators which require us to maintain our defenses and highlight the importance of following mobile quarantine post-travel.

And, finally, the Ministry of Health wishes to remind members of the public that flu vaccinations are available for the month of November at the Hamilton Health Clinic on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2pm until 4pm. The public are advised that this will be a walk-in service and NOT a drive through like the one provided at Flu Express. Clients are not permitted to park in the clinic's car park. For further information call 278-6460. The flu vaccine is a safe and highly effective method of preventing most cases of flu.

Stay safe, Bermuda, and, remember, I wear a mask to protect you; you wear a mask to protect me.