Government

Today the Minister for the Cabinet Office the Hon. Wayne Furbert, JP, MP, released the June 2020 Retail Sales Index publication from the Department of Statistics. 

The Ministry of Health wishes to advise media outlets that the timing of the regular release of COVID-19 statistics has been revised.

The previous timing of the daily COVID-19 release (evenings) followed on from the evening press conferences held during the State of Emergency. 

To reduce overtime and relieve Ministry of Health staff from working unsociable hours, we will now compile COVID-19 numbers in the morning for release before noon. 

Please note schedule below going forward:

The Head of the Public Service, Dr. Derrick Binns, today announced five Permanent Secretary reassignments.

Dr. Jennifer Attride-Stirling – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Community Affairs and Sports

Aideen Ratteray Pryce – Chief Strategy Officer, Ministry of Health 

Chris Farrow – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Development and Seniors

Jasmin Smith – Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport

Gina Hurst-Maybury – Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Reform 

Tomorrow, 15 October, the Department of Statistics will observe the 12^th Annual Caribbean Statistics Day. Also another milestone will be observed this month, the 3^rd World Statistics Day on the 20^th October. 

The latter is celebrated every five years. 

Both events coincide with the 75^th Anniversary of the United Nations which is being celebrated this year.

This year, the United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSD) chose the theme “Connecting the World with Data We Can Trust”. 

Good Afternoon Bermuda, and welcome members of the media.

Today, I am joined today by the Minister of Health who will be providing an update to the public on the latest from her Ministry. Following that I will give an update on matters related to the Economy, Tourism, and Education. 

Minister of Health: 

Thank you Minister. I would like to echo your sentiments on the importance of residents getting a flu shots to protect against this year’s seasonal flu. This year it is vital that as many persons as possible avail themselves of the flu shot. 

Good Afternoon,

Today there were 551 test results received by the Ministry of Health, and one was positive for COVID-19. This most recent case is classified as imported having arrived on British Airways flight 2233 on 4 October 2020. Case isolation and contact tracing has begun.

Bermuda now has 185 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows:

The Ministry of Public Works is advising that during the week of 26 October 2020, it will conduct its Biannual Septage Waste Disposal Operations.   

These operations may result in unpleasant odors being experienced in the residential areas surrounding the Marsh Folly Composting Facility. Despite this, the Ministry assures there is no environmental risk to area residents. 

For the public’s reference, the operations process is as follows: 

Today there were 1366 test results received by the Ministry of Health, and none were positive for COVID-19.

Bermuda has had 184 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows:

• there are 3 active cases, who are
• all under public health monitoring, and
• none are hospitalized or in critical care;
• a total of 172 have recovered, and
• the total deceased remains 9.

The average age of all of our confirmed positive cases is 56 and the age range of all of our positive cases is from 9 to 101 years.

Good Afternoon, 

Thank you for attending today’s closing ceremony for Mental Health Awareness Week.

Our theme for Mental Health Awareness Week was ‘Be Kind’. But our message today is that we want people to be kind well beyond this week. So although this is the official closing of Mental Health Awareness Week, it is also the official call to our Bermuda community to keep being kind after this week into the coming year and beyond.

The Dalai Lama has said, “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”

Good Afternoon, 

Thank you for attending today’s closing ceremony for Mental Health Awareness Week.

Our theme for Mental Health Awareness Week was ‘Be Kind’. But our message today is that we want people to be kind well beyond this week. So although this is the official closing of Mental Health Awareness Week, it is also the official call to our Bermuda community to keep being kind after this week into the coming year and beyond.

The Dalai Lama has said, “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”

Today there were 731 test results received by the Ministry of Health, and none were positive for COVID-19.

Bermuda has had 184 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows:

• there are 5 active cases, who are
• all under public health monitoring, and
• none are hospitalized or in critical care;
• a total of 170 have recovered, and
• the total deceased remains 9.

The average age of all of our confirmed positive cases is 56 and the age range of all of our positive cases is from 9 to 101 years.

The following statement is from Premier, the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP.

On Thursday I presented a team that would be responsible for delivering on the unprecedented mandate of trust received from the people of Bermuda on October 1st. One of the appointments made on that day has generated some significant concern, concerns which I must equally now share. 

Her Majesty The Queen, has recognised the following Bermudians in her 2020 Birthday Honours List:

Commander of the British Empire:

• Mr. Jeremy Cox CBE – for services to the economy of Bermuda.

Queen’s Certificate & Badge of Honour:

Good morning,

Thank you so much for joining us this morning. What an unusual year this has been. 

For the last 8 months, all of Bermuda has had to readjust how we conduct our lives; reevaluate how we interact with one another; and redefine how we provide services to the people of this country.

I am pleased to say that while we were in the throes of a global pandemic, the men and women of the Bermuda Post Office rose to the challenge and continued delivering mail, thus providing Bermuda with the stellar customer service that it is known for. 

The Ministry of Health would like to advise the public that, commencing 14^th October, the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine will be available for priority groups through their doctor or the Flu Express at a cost of $15.00 per shot (for both adults and children). Persons over the age of 65 years will receive the seasonal flu vaccine free-of-charge. 

“Flu Express” Schedule

Today there were 715 test results received by the Ministry of Health, and two were positive for COVID-19. These most recent cases are classified as imported having arrived travelling together on DL 584 from Atlanta on 7 October 2020. Case isolation and contact tracing has begun.

Bermuda now has 184 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows:

Thank you Your Excellency. Good afternoon to colleagues, family and friends. Thank you for coming to Government House today.

One week ago Bermudians were presented with a choice of who would bear the heavy responsibility for rebuilding this economy and reviving the livelihoods of our people. As the results have indicated, the choice made was clear and unambiguous. 

Government House today announced that Mr James Jardine will be retiring as an Independent Senator.