Covid-19 expected to arrive in Bermuda - Royal Gazette

Paul Johnston

Published Mar 4, 2020 at 11:21 am (Updated Mar 4, 2020 at 1:34 pm)

Coronavirus
Health minister Kim Wilson speaks at a press conference about coronavirus today (Photograph by Akil Simmons)

A handful of people in Bermuda are being actively monitored for coronavirus, the island’s Chief Medical Officer said this morning.

Cheryl Peek-Ball said that “roughly 95 individuals” who had arrived at LF Wade International Airport had been monitored for Covid-19.

She added: “Approximately 29, as I recall, required active monitoring.

“At this time the number is something like 4 or 5 people are still under active monitoring.”

But Dr Peek-Ball added: “That process expires after 14 days, so people are constantly getting on the list of monitoring and constantly falling off of it.”

She was speaking at a press conference to discuss Bermuda’s preparedness for Covid-19.

Dr Peek-Ball confirmed that no travel restrictions were currently in place in Bermuda.

Steve Cosham, the National Disaster Coordinator, said that he had made recommendations to the Government about possible travel restrictions.

He said that Cabinet would decide what, if any, measures would be adopted.

Mr Cosham added: “We expect to see some news coming or not what Cabinet says yes or no to.”

Dr Peek-Ball confirmed that all quarantining that was currently being done in Bermuda was self-quarantining.

She added that “practical considerations” weighed heavily in talk on whether forced quarantining could be implemented.

Dr Peek-Ball explained: “For residents of Bermuda who need to be quarantined, there is no need to create a new environment for them to be quarantined.

“Home quarantine has been shown to be quite adequate worldwide, and quite practical, as opposed to putting people in special facilities.”

But Dr Peek-Ball said there were “conceivable situations” that could require a designated quarantine facility.

She added: “That’s what we are working on the logistics of now.”

Dr Peek-Ball said that “several facilities” were being considered for use for quarantine purposes — but was tight-lipped on what they were and where they are located.

She added: “Those are matters that are under discussion right now.

“So I’m not able to give the details of that. That’s part of the information that’s being presented to the minister and Cabinet.”

Mr Cosham said: “There is not a turnkey facility ready on the island.”

He added that the top 10 publicly-owned facilities had been identified and were being assessed for what work needed to be done.

Mr Cosham said: “They are in varying states of repair. We’ve looked at ones that are almost ready to go, but they will take budget and they will take time to get up and running.”

He added that the biggest facility being considered had “about 20 rooms”.

Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, said she had been assured by David Burt, the Premier, and Curtis Dickinson, the Minister of Finance, that money would be made available as needed, including for quarantine facilities.

She said: “That is not an obstacle.”

Michael Richmond, Chief of Staff at the Bermuda Hospitals Board, said that there were nine beds in the hospital’s adult Intensive Care Unit.

He added that each of the ICU beds had ventilator capacities, as did the operation theatres and the Emergency Department.

Dr Richmond said that four additional ventilators were available that were not currently in use.

But he added: “It’s not just a matter of the ventilator capacity, it’s the staff that are able to manage those ventilators on an around-the-clock basis.

“Currently we have more capacity than has been required, but in terms of how do we escalate that going forward, it’s not just around kit — it’s about personnel too.”

Dr Richmond said that the hospital currently had a “ready supply” of protective equipment for hospital staff.

Dr Peek-Ball was asked, based on current models, what the most likely scenario was for Bermuda. She said: “Our expectation is that at some point with the travel that occurs in Bermuda — we’re part of the global community — Covid-19 would arrive.”

Dr Peek-Ball said that the scenario was likely to mimic when H1N1, a subtype of the influenza A virus arrived in Bermuda in 2011.

She explained: “There are individuals who are unwell and need the care of their family physicians.

“There are individuals who get sicker then that and need hospital care. And, on rare occasions, individuals die. There is the possibility of death.

“It’s for that reason that we stress that it’s important for us as a general population, right now, aim to be as healthy as we possibly can.”

Dr Peek-Ball said that people with a chronic medical condition and people over the age of 60 were at a higher risk to become more ill.

She added: “You should take extremely good care of yourself now, before that happens.”

Dr Peek-Ball said that all people should make an effort to protect their immune system by getting enough rest, eating good food and taking medications.

She added: “There is quite a lot that we all should be doing right now.”

Dr Peek-Ball reiterated the importance of simple measures including frequent hand washing and people not touching their face.

She added: “We need to be practicing those healthy habits right now so that when, and if, Covid-19 arrives at our shores we are less likely to be infected.

“Prevention is very powerful, and I think it’s important that we focus on that at the moment.”

Dr Peek-Ball was speaking at a press conference this morning to provide an update on the island preparedness for the coronavirus.

Ms Wilson said that protecting the people of Bermuda was the Government’s “prime objective”.

She added: “This includes taking steps that are internationally recommended to ensure the protection of the public from serious health risks, including Covid-19.”

Ms Wilson said that travellers that arrived in Bermuda would underdo a “travel risk assessment and could have their health monitored and movement on island restricted for up to 14 days”.

She added: “Those who have spent time in jurisdictions considered at very high risk will be given health instructions for follow-up and monitoring for 14 days.”

Ms Wilson said that “ways to enhance the reliability of customs information from travellers” who arrived in Bermuda was being examined. The minister added: “We want to ensure that all customs officers will ask the same, appropriate questions of all arriving passengers.

“Consequently, we are in the process of finalising travel forms for arriving passengers requesting specific travel details such as where you’ve travelled and when.

“An incomplete disclosure of travel history could lead to a potential health risk for our community and therefore we want to appeal to every traveller to please be truthful.”

She said that three tests for Covid-19 had been performed to date — all of which had been negative.

Ms Wilson added: “We are exploring additional testing options through Public Health England and the World Health Organisation and can give full assurance that Government will obtain the necessary equipment as it is available so that tests can be done locally.”

Ms Wilson said that Bermuda Hospitals Board “has escalation plans in place ... to cope with an influx of patients in the event of a pandemic”.

She added: “The number of beds available at any one time can change based on the day.

“However, there are actions that can be taken to increase capacity, such as postponing elective surgeries, discharging stable patients, and using additional beds in other areas.

“There are negative pressure rooms in Emergency and on each floor of the Acute Care Wing. They also have an entire floor — 30 beds — with an independent air filtration system which can potentially be used for cases, should they arise.

“BHB’s negative pressure rooms stop the air flowing out of patient roos, keeping the rest of the hospital safe.”

Ms Wilson said that “experience to date” indicated that about 80 per cent of people who contract Covid-19 would have “mild to no symptoms and will not need hospital care at all”. She added: Of the rest, a portion will be able to receive medical care at home, and a small percentage may need critical care services with intensive medical management.

“Therefore, we do not anticipate a situation with Covid-19 that would require the entire patient population to be relocated.”

• To read the full remarks from health minister Kim Wilson from the press conference, click on the PDF under “Related Media”

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