Hospital Moving To “Disaster Alert Level 4″

September 17, 2021

The Bermuda Hospitals Board has just confirmed that they are moving to “Disaster Alert Level 4″ today — which is the highest level — due to “the high number of Covid-19 patients in hospital.”

This marks the first time during the pandemic that BHB has ever moved to Level 4.

hospital sept 18 2021 gif

Michael Richmond, CEO and President of BHB comments, “After an assessment of our current position at BHB, we are today moving to Disaster Alert Level 4. This reflects the high number of Covid-19 patients in hospital and in the ICU, the pressure on staff, and the impact of the pandemic on our staffing levels.

“Disaster Alert Level 4 is an internal hospital status that reflects the operational pressure we are under. Our staffing levels are being taxed, and we are having to cease all services that are not emergencies or critically urgent until further notice. The figures will be reported by Government later today, but at this time we have more admitted and sicker patients with Covid-19 in hospital than we have experienced at any time during the whole pandemic.

“We are redeploying all available staff to acute, critical care and emergency services. Our employees are professional and dedicated individuals, but they are also human beings and the risk of burn-out is increasingly evident.

“People in the community may not realise the extent of the impact on healthcare services, but they need to be aware that the increasing demand on the hospital may start to impact our ability to deliver the quality of care that we usually strive for each day.

“We are pleading with the community to follow all public health guidance, wear masks at all times inside and outside if within 6 feet of others. Avoid crowds and enclosed spaces. Get vaccinated, please. It is the best defence against serious disease and death.

“We also ask people to take medically fit for discharge family members home. With the hospital under tremendous pressure, we need the staffing and the space for the new admitted patients, both Covid and non-Covid related.”

Update on the impact of the surge on BHB services

  • No visitors for long term and acute care patients, other than in exceptional circumstances such as end of life. Restricted visiting for other areas.
  • For all BHB services – only emergency or urgent appointments and treatments will be undertaken.
  • People should not attend the Emergency Department for a Covid-19 test. It is not a testing facility and needs to focus on people needing emergency care.
  • The Emergency Department is under great pressure. People are reminded that with mild Covid-19 symptoms they can call their GP. If they think they must call the Emergency Department first at 239-1301. They should not just turn up.

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You can find more information on the links below from our dedicated website BermudaCovid.com, which is the most comprehensive resource and historic record available of Bermuda’s handling of the pandemic.

  • All Charts: Vaccine, testing & more here
  • Timelines: Dates of major developments here
  • Test results: Chart of testing stats here
  • Vaccine: Data covering vaccinations here
  • Dedicated website: BermudaCovid.com

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Comments (9)

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  1. Hubert Watlington says:

    Will everyone get vaccinated please. This is still unnecessary.

    • jamel says:

      Its as simple as that. I asked a taxi driver to show me their safekey today, they cursed me and drove off!

      • LOL (original) says:

        As they should have .

        • Toodle-oo says:

          For me that scenario is reflective of someone who was vaxed and still exercising care and caution asking someone to show their participation in the same behavior. The reaction they got was what I would expect from a defiant antivaxer who doesn’t give a s**t about anyone else.
          But aren’t you the one saying that the vaxed are the couldn’t care less super spreaders ?

          • LOL (original) says:

            Nope all I have been saying is that the vaxxed have a large enough viral load to spread it as well and therefore I am not for giving or taking away people’s rights to protect people whom believe they are fully protected. I told you all about booster shots before they where announced , knew about the lab leak, which alot of you most likely dismissed cause the orange man said it. Knew the wet market was 600m away from the lab and that they do not sell bats there. Even knew the French helped China build the lab just to through out near completion.

  2. Ringmaster says:

    Thank you all the voluntarily unvaccinated (exception to those unable to take it). No room at the hospital? Maybe some in Warwick Camp or a tent on Long Island. Thanks for creating a situation where so many wanting surgery or other non Covid issues have to wait. Name and shame please.

    • trufth says:

      While you are busy shaming people be sure to shame the families that DUMP their elders at the hospital as if it were an adult babysitting service. Take care of your loved ones! Shame on you and you all know who you are!!!
      SHAME!

  3. Bullwhip says:

    Is the Government reluctant to mandate vaccination for public officers out of fear of strikes by the Unions? Has the Government decided to let the virus spread since it is easier that dealing with the fallout from another shut down? Will it be easier to call a state of emergency when hundreds have died?
    We have loss the battle against the virus due to the inaction of the Government. Our 9-11 is here.

  4. Bright and Early says:

    It’s a very sad time in Bermuda and all over the world. Who would think that we would all be afraid to leave our houses especially when you are amongst the most vulnerable. Thank goodness for the vaccinations I received in February. The world has lost about $4,580,000 people so far. This is a scary thing. Hopefully we will be able to fight all the variants that come out. Be safe Bermuda…..