MP Michael Dunkley On Covid Pandemic

September 10, 2021

“We are in the midst of the fourth spike with community spread. As a whole, every resident on this island must stop and reflect and ask, ‘What can I do to help stop this,” Shadow Minister of Health Michael Dunkley said today.

Mr Dunkley said, “It is disheartening and frustrating to see Covid numbers increasing at such an alarming rate, but we were warned that the Delta variant was highly contagious so here we are. We are in the midst of the fourth spike with community spread. As a whole, every resident on this island must stop and reflect and ask, ‘What can I do to help stop this?’

“Now more than ever is the time for residents to be honest about their individual actions and whether or not they are contributing to the spread of this virus. Compliance with public health guidelines set out by the Government are more important than ever. While some of the rules may feel inconvenient, it’s a small price to pay for wellness and building our lives back to some normalcy. The recent rise in numbers, now released at night after most people have turned down, are very concerning.

“Last Monday government announced there were 10 people in hospital with Covid and 2 in the ICU. Premier Burt said in Parliament today that now over 20 were in hospital and five people in ICU.

“No one should be surprised when later tonight and next week Covid numbers continue to rise as well as the Covid death toll. While the virus has been with us for 18 months and we are all tired and very frustrated we must solder on and do better as a community. We have come too far.

“The Covid vaccine has created a division in our community but we must not overlook the fact that the vaccine helps in our fight against Covid. The numbers demonstrate this fact. While I respect the personal choice of each person I urge people to get vaccinated and encourage anyone who wants to receive the jab to make an appointment to have one immediately.

“The rapid rise in numbers and the onslaught faced by the hospital show that current measures are not working. If we as a community fail to play our part in this prolonged battle against the virus the government could be forced to take more severe action.

“While the Premier, when questioned in Parliament today, failed to provide information on how close the hospital is to being overloaded, a key factor in public health decision making, the Public Health [Covid-19] Emergency Extension order is still in effect and will be extended by the government when it expires. This means the government can impose a lockdown or a curfew if they see fit. The shocking increase in patients at the hospital illustrates we have a dire situation. We have been there before and we do not to go back to that place.

“We can win this battle against the pandemic, but we have to do it as one.

The Premier’s statement in Parliament today was titled ” An update on Moving Beyond the Pandemic.” It is clear we are still in the throes of the pandemic and thus the government needs to return to more frequent updates to the community and not twice a week night time figure releases. The last five weeks have seen Covid positive cases of 46, 49, 87, 94 and 204. Half week numbers for this week are 225. Better communication is essential during this spike.”

covid-19 divider 1

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 (11)

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  1. puzzled says:

    Your talking to the same wall you have been for 40+ years Mike.

    The writing is there but people have lost hope because of what they are fed.

    Good luck my friend.

    • Ray says:

      They lost hope in the obaUBP. 30-6

      The truth of the matter is even if the PLP lose the next election their people would rather not vote than vote obaUBP.

    • Just talk and no walk says:

      Same old Dunkley always talking but nothing of substance and just repeating statistics as if coming from him makes any difference? No news here other than Michael getting his news articles published so he feels connected with his base! He just has that need as the former Premier that lost his post in the biggest political fall in Bermuda history! He just can’t accept that and he won’t just go away!

      • Hey says:

        Dunkley is the best Premier we have had. Give the OBA a chance, they were fixing the mess the PLP have created.

        • WTF says:

          Best premier we have ever had? How old are you? Have you ever heard of the great (and knighted by the Queen) Sir John Swan? Stay of drugs!

      • iyiyi says:

        Agreed … when the OBA speaks i just get the urge to Yawn and pick my nose !

  2. LOL - the real one says:

    Mr. Dunkley, we must first acknowledge that NOTHING done by any government in the world has stopped the spread of the virus. NOTHING. And it keeps mutating into allegedly deadlier variations!

    Our Government refuses to admit that the death projection models used to enact 1984 style measures were 100% wrong. BTW, the OBA did not challenge the flawed models nor even ask basic questions like if the modeller who created the models was ever right. But the horse was let out of the barn and is not coming back anytime soon.

    Our Government refuses to admit that no measures taken have stopped the spread of the virus. It is here and everywhere!

    Once our Government accepts the real-world reality, we can move forward and away from draconic tactics that do not work. Otherwise, the Government (specific names withheld) is on a power trip high and with no end in sight.

    I can dream, right?

  3. Patrice Bean says:

    It’s the vaccinated that you … all… the government allowed and still allow to roam especially after travel … then they affect the unvaccinated.

    Then you deceitfully put blame on one group.

  4. When the voting public vote with their heads and choose persons that are
    qualified and concerned about Bermuda there will be no change.
    This blaming the UBP or OBA is old and out of date, move on.

  5. Richard OLSON says:

    What are the real up to date number as the last release was to only Tuesday ? The hospital should be our main concern and many are awaiting a date for minor surgery now for 2 years this is unacceptable.

    • Go to Lahey says:

      They should just go overseas Rick like everyone else! Thats what the one whose name shall not be mentioned wants you to do so he makes his money!