A returned resident who was in quarantine has become the latest person to test positive for the coronavirus.

It was the only case out of 853 test results that came back to the Ministry of Health on Wednesday.

The resident came to the island from Atlanta on November 17 with a clear pre-departure test and also got a negative arrival test.

But the coronavirus showed up on their Day 8 test.

A health ministry spokesman said: “This case was in quarantine, as they were identified as a close flight contact of an imported case identified on arrival.”

Bermuda has had 242 confirmed cases and 26 are active with none in hospital.

It was confirmed on Wednesday night that a seventh Bermuda Hospitals Board staff member tested positive for the virus.

The employee was already under quarantine and worked in the same “non-clinical department” as six other cases reported earlier.

Michael Richmond, the BHB chief executive, said: “Our employee health services and infection prevention and control teams are working hard with the Department of Health to ensure we adhere to the proven process of investigation and contact tracing, as our priority remains the safety of staff and patients.

“Patient care services are continuing with the usual Covid-19 precautions at this time.”

A spokesman for the Ministry of Health said that the ministry understood concern from residents about the latest cases.

But he added: “There is no need for any business to close, unless that business has been contacted by health officials and advised to do so.”

He said that health officials would contact a business, school or daycare centre with directions about closure or quarantine of a group “if and only if there is a confirmed positive case in the facility or there is a close contact that is symptomatic”.

The spokesman added: “The Ministry of Health once again encourages all businesses, schools and daycare facilities to review the Covid-19 guidance published to help them operate safely.

“Creating bubbles in the workplace, school or daycare, proper mask wearing, and hand sanitising will reduce the need to close or quarantine large groups from these settings.

“If you are sick – stay home. If a child is sick – keep them home.

“Going to work sick or sending a sick child to school will only spread infection and raise concerns in the community.

"Unofficial sources on Covid-19 cases, closures or medical advice should be avoided.

“The Chief Medical Officer, the Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, and other health professionals are in daily meetings to assess the situation and develop scientifically and clinically based information to inform the public and those affected.”

Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, urged: “When you meet – meet outdoors, wear your mask and observe physical distancing.”

Nine people with Covid-19 have died and 207 people have recovered from the virus.

A total of 117 cases have come from overseas and 103 were transmitted on the island with a known contact or source.

Another 21 were transmitted in Bermuda with an unknown source and one case is under investigation.

The seven-day average of the island’s real-time reproduction number is above 1 and the country status is “clusters of cases”.