One of the new cases is classified as imported by a resident who arrived on BA 2233 from London on 1 January 2021 and tested positive on their day four test.

The remaining four new cases are classified as local transmission with known contact as they are associated with known cases.

Additionally, since the last update, seven cases have recovered and sadly one has died.

There are currently 91 active cases, of which;

· 85 are under public health monitoring and

· 6 are in hospital with none in critical care;

Since March 2020, Bermuda has recorded 641 total confirmed cases of COVID-19; out of those, 538 persons have recovered and 12 persons have sadly succumbed to COVID-19.

The mean age of all confirmed positive cases is 43 years (median: 40 years), and the age range is less than 1 year to greater than 100 years.

The mean age of all currently active cases is 41 years (median: 40 years), and the age range is less than 10 years (age group: 5-9 years) to greater than 80 years (age group: 80-100 years).

The mean age of all currently hospitalized cases is 53 years (median: 54 years), and the age range is less than 30 years (age group: 20-29 years) to greater than 80 years (age group: 80-100 years).

The mean age of all deceased cases is 75 years (median: 77 years), and the age range is less than 60 years (age group: 50-59 years) to greater than 80 years (age group: 80-100 years).

The source of all cases is as follows:

· 170 are Imported

· 412 are classified as local transmission of which:

· 374 are Local transmission with known contact/source and

· 38 are Local transmission with an unknown contact/source

· 59 are Under Investigation

As investigations proceed, transmission categories may change. Today’s update has 6 cases moving from under investigation to local transmission with known contact/source and 1 case moving from under investigation to local transmission with unknown contact/source.

The seven-day average of our real time reproduction number is less than 1 (0.60), and Bermuda’s current country status remains “Clusters of Cases”.

On the recent COVID-19 related death, the Minister of Health, the Hon Kim N. Wilson said: “This loss is devastating. My heart is heavy with the news of another death due to COVID-19. I mourn with the family, friends and co-workers of this most recent victim. I am so sorry for this loss.”

As a reminder, the Public Health (COVID-19 Emergency Powers) (No 3) Amendment Regulations 2021 went into effect today (7 January 2021) at 6 am.

· The hours of curfew will be from midnight until 5am;

· Businesses will be required to close at 11pm, whereas they're currently now required to close at 10pm;

· Personal services restrictions will be relaxed, to allow for any personal care services that require masks to be removed (beards, facials, electrolysis);

· In gyms, physical distancing requirements will be reduced from ten feet, between patrons, to six feet; and

· The number of people who can attend an outdoor funeral will be increased from ten to 20.

All other restrictions remain unchanged, including gatherings remain restricted to no more than ten people, and indoor bars and nightclubs will remain closed.

The Minister of Health is also reminding the public of the availability of COVID testing.

“Please take advantage of the free COVID-19 testing that is offered by the Ministry of Health,” said Minister of Health, the Hon Kim N. Wilson.

“We have testing slots available, so sign up and make sure you know your status. The Ministry of Health cannot vaccinate people who are already infected with COVID-19, or quarantined as a close contact. If you or your family falls into one of the priority categories for early vaccination, we encourage you to get tested.”

“We have convenient COVID-19 pop-up testing at various locations around the island. You can book online at http://coronavirus.gov.bm or call the COVID-19 hotline at 444-2498 between 9 am – 9 pm.”

The Ministry of Health will host ‘Vaccine Awareness - Join the Conversation’ on the Government’s Facebook page and CITV, live on Saturday 9 January 2021, at 6 pm. The ministry recognises that there are those in Bermuda who may have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine specifically, and vaccines in general. This programme will allow viewers to post their questions online to have them answered by medical professionals.

For trusted sources of information on vaccines and how the COVID-19 vaccination will be administered in Bermuda, as well as frequently asked questions on the vaccine, visit www.gov.bm/vaccines