An article in the Royal Gazette (16th July 2020) revealed that of the 363 Covid-19 ten results carried out on that date, two returning residents had tested positive, with one of the two apparently breaking the quarantine rules by heading straight to their workplace despite the fact that they had been tested at the airport on arrival. Returning residents are required to be tested at the airport and then self isolate for 4-8 hours until their test result confirms whether they are positive or negative. Premier Burt noted that of the six imported cases over the past 2 weeks, all were returning residents. The article reports the following:-
Two returning residents tested positive for Covid-19 out of the 363 test results for the virus received today, according to Kim Wilson, the health minister.
Ms Wilson said both had come to the island on the Delta Air Lines flight of July 15.
She said it “saddens me terribly” to report that one of the residents went to their workplace instead of quarantining before getting their test results.
Contact tracing is under way at the resident’s job, as well as with passengers on the aircraft who would have been sitting near the infected travellers.
The latest results bring the island’s total cases of the virus to 152, with six active cases, none of which are in hospital.
Ms Wilson said the island’s testing capacity was getting “stretched” with the influx of travellers.
She said testing would be reviewed based on public health risks.
The island has a one-month supply remaining of the nasal swab test for the virus, and a stock of 11,000 saliva tests.
Ms Wilson said antibody testing had resumed at Southside in St David’s on July 5.
She also said the day three test for travellers coming to the island was being moved to day four after arrival, while the day seven test would be moved to day eight.
Travellers to Bermuda will soon have the requirement for a pretest within five days to be moved to seven days, Ms Wilson added.
But she said the island will not be dropping the pretest requirement for incoming travellers, despite delays in the United States getting test results.
Ms Wilson said that with the increasing prevalence of Covid-19 in America, “we are anticipating we will see more positive cases coming to our shores”.
Those found positive with the virus will be required by law to isolate from others.
David Burt, the Premier, praised the island’s efforts, saying “collectively, Bermuda rose to the occasion”.
But he warned: “While most of us have done well by following the guidelines, we all have to remember: it only takes one undetected case of this highly contagious virus to set us back.”
He called the quarantine breach “disturbing” and noted that out of the six imported cases over the past two weeks since the airport reopening, all were returning residents.
CLICK HERE for the full article in the Royal Gazette.