Inter-Island Communications News Brief – May 11, 2021

According to a Government spokesperson quote “The Ministry of Health received 3423 test results since the last update and 17 were positive for COVID-19, giving a test positivity rate of 0.5%. Three of the new cases are classified as imported – one’s a resident who arrived on JetBlue from New York on April 30 who tested positive on their day eight test. One is a resident who arrived from London on May 4 and tested positive on their day four test. One is a non- resident who arrived on JetBlue from Boston on May 8th and tested positive on their arrival test. Five of the new cases are classified as local transmission, the additional nine new cases are classified as under investigation. Additionally, since the last update, there were 75 recoveries and one death over the weekend, which was previously reported. There are 250 active cases, of which 236 are under public health monitoring and 14 are in hospital with two in intensive care.”

Friday evening’s stabbing of a 16 year old in the West end which left the victim in hospital with serious injuries is one step closer to being solved, with the Bermuda Police Service confirming that an arrest has been made in connection with the incident. Specifically, according to a BPS release quote “Detectives have arrested an 18-year-old male in connection with the stabbing & robbery of a 16-year-old male on Friday evening.”

Detective Superintendent Nicholas Pedro said: “Evidence obtained by officers led them to make the arrest. A second male has also been interviewed in relation to this serious matter. The young male victim remains in hospital, being treated for serious injuries. We would like to thank those members of the public who have come forward so far, as we recognize that we are reliant on the public to help make us all safer. If you were on South Road, Southampton or on the public beaches & trails on Friday evening between 5:30 pm & 6:15 pm and saw anything you think might be related to this matter, we want to hear from you. Please contact Detective Sergeant Clifford Roberts at the Criminal Investigations Unit by calling ‘211.”

Young people seeking paid work and career progress this summer have a great option on the table available for them. Specifically, the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation’s 4th Annual Summer Student Entrepreneur Programme has just entered the application period.

According to a spokesperson, the programme will “provide students between the ages of 16 and 25 with the resources and support to launch, grow and sustain their own enterprises. The SSEP is an eight-week programme that will run from Monday, July 12th through Friday, September 3rd. The programme is designed to develop young Bermudians into the Island’s next wave of entrepreneurs. A maximum of ten students will receive quality educational training, a weekly financial stipend and startup funds to get their businesses started. In addition to initial training, BEDC staff will continue to support the students to ensure that they maximize the experience and earn as much as they can during the summer months. To incentivize participation, a competitive element has also been included. The students will compete against each other to earn the most profit. The three participants with the highest profits will earn an additional financial reward.”

Programme Manager Deshun Simmons added that the program’s goal is to help the students earn money over the summer and to quote “impart an entrepreneurial mindset that will assist them as they prepare for their futures working in the business arena or as entrepreneurs.” Interested students can apply online at www.bedc.bm.

Last summer’s Black Lives Matter Bermuda March is being commemorated with a collaboration between a group of community groups interested in carrying the energy, inspiration and progress from that event forward.

BLM Bermuda has teamed up with the Masterworks Museum and the Peaceful Art Protest to build and present a special exhibition designed to, according to a spokesperson quote “showcase the artwork created in June 2020, alongside some new works from local artists, inspired by their reflection upon the event, and the movement, over the last year. The 2021 Peaceful Art Protest has as its goal to stand as a reminder to continue to move our society forward and remain accountable to the statements and changes we pledged in support of Black Lives in Bermuda in 2020.”

Peaceful Art Protest founder Rachel Swinburne said that quote “At the pinnacle of this show, is an interactive installation aimed to foster discussion around race and privileges. We invite visitors to reflect and contribute their thoughts through conversation, written notes and drawings.”

The exhibition will be open to the community on June 4th, with the official opening on June 7th – the anniversary of last year’s march, led by BLM Bermuda.

Finally, one of Bermuda’s most well known international companies has committed a six figure relief donation to one of the countries being hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Bacardi Limited, headquartered here on island, is donating 100 thousand dollars to India to help their COVID-19 relief effort.

A spokesperson shared that quote “Funding provided by Bacardi is earmarked to provide immediate assistance to local relief agencies working to mitigate the worsening impact of the coronavirus pandemic in India. Additionally, the Bacardi team on the ground in India have provided funding for oxygen concentrators to be sent to a local NGO offering humanitarian aid to marginalized communities. To support its employees in-market, Bacardi offers free access to confidential counseling to ensure well being is top of mind during these challenging times. Bacardi has had a presence in India since 1997 and today employs more than 300 people in the market. This year, Bacardi India received its third consecutive certification for Great Place to Work in India – a nod to a strong company culture and its commitment to taking care of its people.”