the number of locals who contracted the disease had reached the 400 mark.

Health and Social Services Minister Clarence Terceira released the October Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome statistics to MPs just hours before the Premier officially proclaimed December 1 as World AIDS Day in Bermuda.

Premier Pamela Gordon, Opposition Leader Jennifer Smith and an assortment of officials joined school children yesterday on the grounds of the Cabinet Office for the Proclamation Ceremony.

During her speech officially declaring Monday as World AIDS Day in Bermuda, the Premier urged people to take part in the variety of activities to observe the day and focus attention on "this devastating disease''.

This year's World AIDS Day will focus on children under the theme, Give Children Hope in the World of AIDS.

The highlight of yesterday's ceremony, which featured music from the CedarBridge Gospel Choir and a prayer from the presiding elder of the AME Church Rev. Malcolm Eve, was the presentation of a giant AIDS ribbon.

The half-completed red ribbon will be on display at various locations to give the public an opportunity to show their support for those with the disease.

Red ribbons will be handed out to those who wish to tie one onto the structure in a bid to complete the giant ribbon.

The Premier, members of the House of Assembly and students launched the ribbon-tying observance.

This will be the tenth annual World AIDS Day.

Earlier yesterday, Dr. Terceira revealed the latest local AIDS statistics to the House of Assembly.

In October, one new AIDS case was reported. The man, who is in his 60s, contracted the disease via intravenous drug use. The man brings the year to date total of new AIDS cases to 21.

Since 1985 some 400 people have contracted the disease. The majority -- 167 -- of those with the disease contracted it via intravenous drug use. Ninety-one people got AIDS through heterosexual activities and 84 people via homosexual activities.

Two people succumbed to the disease last month bring the yearly total to 14.

Since the Department of Health began keeping data in the early 1980's, a total of 318 people have died from AIDS.

Dr. Terceira told the House that at the moment there were 146 known HIV positive people living in Bermuda.

He said four of those cases were in the 14 and under age group, two were in the 15 to 19 age group and 23 were in the 20 to 29 age group.

Dr. Terceira also told the House that since 1985 there had been three cases of children with AIDS. One of those children has died.

TO AID AND SUPPORT -- Geneva Humdy Woodley (left) receives a helping hand from Premier Pamela Gordon and Government Protocol Officer Alvin Harvey as the finishing touches are put on a giant AIDS ribbon.