Eight new cases of coronavirus have been found out of 1,187 test results taken by the Ministry of Health.

There are 214 active cases, down from 223 reported yesterday. There are 83 cases under investigation.

Of the active cases, 211 are under public health monitoring. Three people are in hospital, with none in critical care, up from two reported yesterday.

Three were classified as local transmission with known contacts.

The remaining cases, among residents without links to known cases or a history of travel in the past 14 days, are under investigation.

Seventeen people have recovered since the last update.

The island has had 561 positive cases.

There have been 338 recoveries, and the death toll remains at nine.

The mean age of all positive cases is 43, ranging from infant to more than 100.

The mean age of all active cases is 38.

Of the island’s total cases, 148 are imported.

There are 330 cases classified as local transmission, 308 of which have known contacts, and 22 have unknown contacts.

The seven-day average of our real time reproduction number stands at 0.64 and Bermuda’s country status is “clusters of cases”.

Kim Wilson, the health minister, wished residents a “cosier, quieter Christmas”.

Ms Wilson said those unable to spend the holiday with loved ones vulnerable to the coronavirus could connect via telephone, Skype or Zoom.

She reminded the public to consider the elderly, with many seniors “already feeling isolated as a result of our efforts to protect them from this virus”.

She added: “Let's keep everyone safe, but nobody should feel alone at Christmas.

“We may not be able to be with them in person, but a telephone call can make all the difference to someone's mental wellbeing.”

Ms Wilson called on the community not to mix households during the holiday, given the recent surge of Covid-19 cases.

She said: “Do not gather in groups greater than ten; do not visit vulnerable persons outside of your household – particularly if you have recently returned from travel abroad; wear your mask when spending time with anyone outside of your household; practice physical distancing and abide by the curfew.”

She added: "Let's aim to start 2021 off with no new cases come January 1."