Bermuda records sixth COVID-19 related death

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Apr 27, CMC  – Premier David Burt has expressed his regret after confirming Bermuda’s sixth death related to COVID-19, saying “there have been lessons learnt”.

The person, the second to die at one of the island’s 21 nursing homes, was a resident at Westmeath Residential and Nursing Home, where 13 cases, including two staff members, were confirmed earlier.

Late Sunday, Premier Burt said that he had directed health officials to test everyone at Westmeath – the island’s largest nursing home, as soon as the first case of COVID-19 was found there, but that “regrettably” it did not happen.

The Premier was responding to questions from local reports about why screening for all residents and staff at Westmeath did not take place immediately after the first case was confirmed.

“The confirmation of the passing of another individual today is incredibly sad news and our thoughts and prayers are with the family, at this difficult time.

“I have been the strongest advocate for testing, as it would better position the government to not only be able to protect the health and safety of Bermuda, but to also make informed policy decisions about how we operate, in this radically changed environment.”

“This government’s policy has been clear and undiluted: any affected rest home, their residents and staff should be tested and in the case of Westmeath, our aim was to ensure that testing occur as swiftly as possible,” he said.

A government update over the weekend showed that 223 COVID-19 test results were received on Friday and Saturday, with 10 positive – all residents at Westmeath.

The government website showed that 1,173 people in total had been tested for the virus by Saturday afternoon, with 109 confirmed cases, of which 65 were active.

It said that 11 people were in hospital, 54 were under active public health monitoring and 39 had recovered.

Bermuda is under lockdown until May 2.

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