Inter-Island Communications News Brief – December 29, 2020

A Government spokesperson said, “The Ministry of Health is saddened to confirm that, regrettably, Bermuda has experienced a COVID-19-related death today. This now takes the total number of COVID-19 deaths to ten. Minister of Health Kim Wilson said, “It is with a heavy heart that I release today’s COVID-19 statistics. The loss of another Bermudian’s life to COVID-19 will come as devastating news to our entire community, and our hearts go out to the loved ones of the deceased during this extremely difficult time. Christmas is supposed to be an occasion for joy, for family and for hope – something which makes the news of this loss all the more hard to bear. Today’s death – one of the previously hospitalized cases – marks the first COVID-19-related death since May,” the Ministry added. “The Ministry will not be sharing any personal details surrounding the death and asks the public to please respect the privacy of the individual’s family at this time, as they mourn their loved one.”

The most recent COVID-19 death must cause the entire community to pay attention and keep one another safe from the further spread of the pandemic on the island. This from Health minister Kim Wilson who shared that quote “I am urging the entire island to please not underestimate the ferocity of this virus. It doesn’t care who you are – young, old, black, white, rich, or poor; ALL of us should see this virus for the threat that it is an act to protect ourselves and our community. Do not think that because you are young, you are invincible; you are not. Do not gather in groups greater than ten; do not visit vulnerable persons outside of your household – particularly if you have recently returned from travel abroad; wear your mask when spending time with anyone outside of your household; practice physical distancing, and abide by the curfew. We encourage everyone to download the WeHealth Bermuda App, which you can find on both the Google Play and iTunes store by searching for WeHealth Bermuda on both platforms.

Bermuda’s pandemic response and relative success at managing COVID-19 has gotten some international recognition via a subdivision of NBC, specifically NBCLX – a local community-centric arm of the globally relevant broadcast superpower. NBCLX correspondent Noah Pransky moved to the island as a participant in the remote work permit scheme, one of the over 500 professionals who are currently living and working in Bermuda since the introduction of the program this summer. In the piece, which you can find on the NBCLX YouTube page, Mr. Pransky shares his experience with and gratitude for our national pandemic management protocols.

Finally, one of the island’s most prominent hospitality groups got into the holiday spirit in a big way, providing Christmas meals to hundreds of those in need. According to a Take Five spokesperson quote “The Company partnered with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church to provide meals to struggling families. The generous contribution allowed the Church to extend its annual Christmas meal program beyond the Hamilton location to its other seven locations across the island. The meals consisted of a turkey, cassava pie, macaroni and cheese, mash potatoes, stuffing, seasonal vegetables and dessert. Each meal was prepacked and delivered to the various churches for a person in need. The donation was a team effort, with staff members of Take Five Ltd. and a group of very generous private donors contributing towards the purchase of ingredients, while the company’s chefs cooked and packaged the meals for distribution.”

Holger Eiselt, Take Five CEO said quote “This year has been particularly hard for many people. We feel that it is important to help and do our part in giving back to our community. During the shelter in place, we worked closely with several charities to donate meals to families in need. We hope to continue these relationships into the new year”.