Inter-Island Communications News Brief – May 12, 2021

A Government spokesperson said, “The Ministry of Health received 706 test results since the last update, and four were positive for Covid-19, giving a test positivity rate of 0.6%. One of the new cases is classified as local transmission with known contact as they are associated with a known case. The additional three new cases are classified as under investigation. Additionally, since the last update, there were 12 recoveries and no deaths. There are 242 active cases, of which 230 are under public health monitoring and 12 are in hospital with three in intensive care.”

Health Minister Kim Wilson added that quote “There are a lot of people doing an enormous amount of work to keep this island safe, and things are getting much better. However, our progress to Phase 3 on our roadmap to re-opening depends on everyone acting responsibly. Get tested for the coronavirus so that you know your status, and please speak with your doctor so that you can take advantage of the free walk-in vaccinations being offered.”

According to the American American Food and Drug Administration, it’s safe for kids as young as 12 years old to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

During a news briefing that immediately followed the announcement, FDA officials underlined that the Pfizer authorization for 12- to 15-year-olds was a simple decision to make because the clinical study data clearly demonstrated that the vaccine was safe and that the response to the vaccine was even better than among the 18- to 25-year-olds who got their jabs.

The data also demonstrates that children rarely suffer serious bouts of COVID-19, but it’s impossible to predict exactly who will become dangerously ill or develop a rare, potentially fatal inflammatory condition. Also, doctors are concerned that with a new virus like COVID-19 with so many potential unknowns, the possibility remains for long-term debilitating impacts of infection on future well being, even from the less severe courses of illness children have tended to experience.

As far as the United Kingdom is concerned, the National Health Service has drawn up contingency plans to vaccinate secondary school children against Covid later this year, in a move that could help prevent school closures if infections rise after the lifting of lockdown. The proposal is included in “core planning scenario” documents compiled by NHS officials which show that a single dose could be offered to children aged 12 and over when the new school year starts.

A two car fire in the Ord Road area was successfully put out by firefighters early Tuesday morning.

A Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson shared that quote, “At 12:57am on Tuesday May 11th 2021, BFRS Dispatch Center received a report of two vehicles on fire at Ord Road near Tribe Road #1. BFRS responded with two appliances, one from Hamilton Station and One from Port Royal Station with a total of 8 firefighters. While responding to the fire crews saw thick black smoke as soon as they turned onto Ord Road off of Southcote Road. On arrival at the fire crews saw two cars fully involved in flames. The Officer in Charge instructed two firefighters wearing Self Contained Breathing Apparatus to extinguish the flames using foam. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and is under investigation by BFRS and police.”

The island’s single power utility is making an effort to reach out to the community that it serves to both inform Bermuda about its operations and receive feedback from its customer base. This from a Bermuda Electric Light Company Limited spokesperson who announced that an online public forum is happening this evening at 5:30pm.

A BELCO spokesperson shared that quote, “BELCO President Wayne Caines will host the meeting which will include a presentation on the Company’s operations and a question and answer session for members of the public. The public can register online and there is capacity for 1,000 registrants. Questions may be submitted during the presentation on slido.com using the code #belcomay2021.”

Mr. Caines added that quote “At BELCO we are keen to engage the public and outline our plans for creating a sustainable energy future in Bermuda. I would encourage members of the public to register for the online forum and ask any questions they may have about our current and future operations.”