Government

[Slide 1] Good Afternoon Bermuda,

[Slide 2] I am pleased to share with you an update of Bermuda’s current ability to detect new coronavirus variants.

[Slide 3] To recap, as of March 2021 Bermuda can identify certain strains using a 1 hr PCR test. Currently, MDL has 7 different tests that targets 9 different possible mutations within the S gene of the virus. The limitation is that these tests only look at 9 positions and not the entire genetic sequence.

Good afternoon.

I am joined today by the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ayoola Oyinloye, and Dr Carika Weldon, Director of the Bermuda Molecular Diagnostics & Research Laboratory.

Bermuda currently has 31 active cases, all of which are persons under public health monitoring, with no-one in the hospital.

Of the active cases:

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 6109 test results, and 9 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 0.1%.
These results are from testing done on:

·                  Wednesday: 2 positive out of 1455 results (0.1% positivity)

·                  Thursday: 3 positive out of 2071 results (0.1% positivity)

·                  Friday: 0 positive out of 1697 results (0.0% positivity)

·                  Saturday: 4 positive out of 886 results (0.5% positivity)

~ Public encouraged to support local talent at safely distanced midday concert ~

On Friday, December 17, the Department of Culture will host a special holiday version of the popular Creatives Live! open air concert series, featuring the Bermuda Carolers.

Taking place on the steps of City Hall steps – this midday musical event is aimed at showcasing and supporting Bermuda’s talented artists. 

Next Friday’s special edition of Creatives Live! will showcase the songs of the season from 12.30 pm – 1.30 pm.

~ Slight decline in retail sales volume compared to 2020, value of purchases remains steady~

Today, the Cabinet Office released the August 2021 Retail Sales Index (RSI).

While August’s retail sales volume saw a slight decline of 2.9% compared to last year,  in value terms, retail sales remained unchanged at an estimated $99.6 million compared to last year (August 2020). There were some positive retail sales increases in a couple of sectors with the construction industry contributing a 16.0% jump in sales at Building Material stores.

Acting Minister of Public Works Wayne Furbert today confirmed that landfilling at Marsh Folly will end following a successful weekend’s trial of the repaired Unit at Tynes Bay. The Ministers said: “The single burner, which was returned to service last week continued to operate this weekend without any mechanical issues. This news means refuse collected can now be transported to the Tynes Bay facility and not to  Marsh Folly.”   

Acting Minister for National Security Tinee Furbert expressed concern following the stabbing that took place late yesterday afternoon on South Road near the Southampton Rangers Sports Club stating, “The reports of last night’s stabbing, which has left someone with serious injuries, is very concerning. We are mere weeks away from the Christmas holiday and have another incident of callous disregard for human life.  I strongly urge anyone who may have seen the incident happen, and or witnessed persons leaving the scene, to share what they know with Police.

Earlier today, the Acting Minister of Public Works, the Hon. Wayne Furbert, JP, MP, visited the Tynes Bay Waste Treatment Facility to receive a status update on the progress being made.

Mr. Nasir Wade, Plant Manager at Tynes Bay, briefed the Minister on the single functioning burner, the clearing of the tipping hall, the repair of the baling machine and when household waste can resume being processed at the facility.

The United States Government announced yesterday (December 2) that effective December 6, the United States will tighten pre-departure COVID-19 testing protocols by requiring all inbound international travellers to test within 24 hours of departure globally, regardless of nationality or vaccination status. To meet this requirement, through the MDL lab, the Ministry of Health will provide a quick turnaround of antigen test result certification beginning on December 5.

The Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson, JP, MP, encourages all residents to get a flu shot to help contain the risks of influenza in the upcoming season.

Today, Minister Wilson received her annual flu shot at the Flu Express at National Stadium. The seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine is available for priority groups through their doctor or the Flu Express at the cost of $15.00 per shot (for both adults and children). Persons over the age of 65 will receive the seasonal flu vaccine free of charge.

Mark your calendars and join the Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme (BOPP) on Thursday, December 9^th at 6 pm AST for the second instalment of its free virtual public webinar series, B.E.A.C.H.—the BOPP Environmental Awareness Chat Hour. This series is designed to share with the broader island community a variety of topics related to BOPP, including perspectives from diverse ocean users; science-based and public processes that help BOPP balance the needs of human uses and the natural environment; and local research being conducted in coastal and offshore ecosystems.

“We are making progress…” said the Acting Minister of Public Works Wayne Furbert todayregarding repairs at Tynes Bay. 

The Minister continued, “Thanks to the hard work put in by the Tynes Bay Waste to Energy Facility successful repairs have been carried out and one of the plant boilers is operational and this morning it resumed the process of incinerating the backlog of waste.

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 4063 test results, and 3 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 0.1%.

These results are from testing done on:

§  Sunday: 0 positive out of 1125 results (0.0% positivity)

§  Monday: 1 positive out of 1448 results (0.1% positivity)

§  Tuesday: 2 positive out of 1490 results (0.1% positivity)

All 3 of the new cases are classified as imported with a history of travel in the previous 14 days.

Yesterday, December 1^st, marked World AIDS Day.The theme for World AIDS Day 2021 is ‘Ending the HIV Epidemic: Equitable Access, Everyone’s Voice’. The objective is to communicate the importance of equitable access to health services and the importance of strengthening actions at the primary health care level. World AIDS Day 2021 also emphasizes HIV combination prevention and treatment services and promotes work with communities to reach the people most vulnerable to HIV and other pandemics.

The Ministry and Department of Education extend thanks to WindReach for their donation of inclusive literature to Bermuda Public Preschools and Primary Schools.

Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP, MP, expressed, “WindReach generously donated a package of five inclusive books to each Bermuda Public Preschool and Primary School in recognition of the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is celebrated on December 3rd.” 

On Tuesday, 23 November 2021, the Minister of Labour, the Hon. Jason P Hayward, JP MP, attended the International Labour Organization (the “ILO”) Caribbean Labour Minister’s Meeting in preparation for the second part of the 109^th Session of the International Labour Conference (the “ILC”), which is taking place from 25 November to 11 December 2021.

The Flu Express, which was to take place tomorrow (December 1^st) at the National Stadium Pavilion, has been postponed until Friday, December 3rd at National Stadium Pavilion.

The seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine will be available for priority groups through their doctor or the Flu Express at the 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.