This morning's Royal Gazette (18th April 2020) headline certainly caught our attention  with Premier Burt predicting a total of 263 deaths in Bermuda in a “better-case” scenario of the possible impact of Covid-19. 

The Premier, explained that a pandemic model for Bermuda highlighted a comparison between the worst-case scenario and a “better-case” scenario. 

Mr Burt warned: “In other words, there is no best-case scenario.” 

He said the worst-case scenario, based on no preventive measures or social-distancing, suggested that Bermuda could have more than 700 deaths, with a peak in early June. 

Mr Burt said the second scenario, based on “effective interventions” similar to those imposed by the Government, predicted 263 deaths, with a peak in mid September. 

He added: “Clearly, better is a relative term, because even doing what we are doing now, it will still mean tragedy for too many families.

“This is a global reality. Bermuda is not another world.”

Mr Burt was speaking as MPs approved a motion to extend shelter-in-place regulations until 6am on May 2 in the House of Assembly’s first virtual session. 

The motion also extended the state of emergency until 6am on June 30. 

Mr Burt admitted that Bermuda had “not been able to test as much as I would have liked to test at this point”. But he emphasised that he had “cautious optimism”. 

Mr Burt said: “Next week we will have additional testing capacity with a custom-created laboratory at Southside.

“This lab will be staffed by passionate young Bermudians who have answered the call to help their country at this pinnacle time in our history and to give effect to the Government’s mandate of aggressive testing.” 

Mr Burt said the harsh implications of Covid-19 were “pure and simple”.

CLICK HERE for the full report in the Royal Gazette