Inter-Island Communications News Brief – June 1, 2020

Read the Inter Island Communications news brief for June 1 2020

A police spokesperson said, “At around 5:20 pm on Friday 29th May, police received several reports of a fight involving approximately 50 youths between the ages of 15 and 17 years old, at Turtle Bay, Clearwater Park, St. Georges. Callers reported bottles being thrown and knives being brandished, however, there were no injuries reported. A quick police response brought a stop to the fighting as several males dispersed from the area. Five suspects were subsequently arrested for various offences including possession of a bladed article, in the aftermath. Investigations into this matter are continuing and police are asking anyone who may have video recordings or other images of it, not to post those recordings or images to social media, or distribute them via sharing apps or otherwise. We ask that instead you provide those images to us help further our investigation and assist in bringing those responsible to justice. Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to call 211 or the main police number 295-0011. If you wish to provide information anonymously, please call the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers number, 800-8477.”

A Government spokesperson said, “Between Friday and today 230 test results were received by the Ministry of Health; and none were positive for COVID-19. Bermuda has 140 total confirmed positive cases. Their status is as follows:

there are 39 active cases, of which
30 persons are under active public health monitoring, and
9 persons are hospitalized; of which
2 are in critical care;
a total of 92 have recovered, and
the total deceased remains 9.

“The average age of all of our confirmed positive cases is 61 and the age range of all of our positive cases is from 18 to 101 years.

“The average age of persons hospitalized is 76 and their age ranges from 66 to 91 years. The average age of all deceased cases is 74 and the age range is 57 to 91 years. The source of all local cases is as follows:

41 are Imported
83 are Local transmission, with known contact
10 are Local transmission with an unknown contact, and
6 are under investigation

“Bermuda’s country status remains ‘Local Transmission – Cluster of Cases’.”

One of Bermuda’s most significant and accomplished social justice activists has passed away. Dr. Eva Hodgson died at the age of 95, after a meaningful life populated by work committed to educating and uplifting us all about the impact of institutional racism and how to deconstruct it. She held her Doctorate in African and Black American History and served as the first president of the Bermuda Union of Teachers. Dr. Hodgson also wrote two essential books on Bermuda’s racial and political history, Second Class Citizens, First Class Men and A Storm in A Teacup. Premier David Burt shared his sorrow about Dr. Hodgson’s passing sharing his condolences with Dr. Hodgson’s family and especially her beloved brother, former Minister Arthur Hodgson. Premier Burt went on to say quote “In clear and unmistakably honest terms, Dr. Hodgson told the story of Bermuda and the impact of its tortured history of race relations and economic inequality. Her intellect was devoted to enlightening and inspiring generations of Bermudians to not repeat the mistakes of the past but to strive for a better society in which race was no barrier to success.”

Bermuda’s COVID19 recovery rate is around 67 per cent, which isn’t the best-recorded rate worldwide but is definitely satisfactory. This from Chief Medical Officer Cheryl Peek Ball during last week’s pandemic briefing.