The Bermuda Hospitals Board has warned the public against visiting patients in the hospital if they are suffering from respiratory illness.

The BHB said in a statement: “With figures for respiratory illnesses rising in Bermuda, individuals should also inform staff if they have symptoms and have an appointment or procedure planned.

“They should call the services before arriving on-site and reschedule, unless it is an emergency.

“People who have respiratory symptoms but have to attend the Emergency Department due to a medical issue must wear masks on entering a BHB facility to protect other patients. A mask can be provided in the Emergency Department.”

The call came after the Health Ministry’s Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit reported an increase in cases of Covid-19, the common cold, strep throat, RSV and influenza, with flu cases “significantly above normal for this time of the year”.

The ESU called on the community to get vaccinated against the seasonal flu, either through their physicians or through the government clinic on Victoria Street in Hamilton.

Other measures advised were avoiding close contact with anyone showing illness, staying home if unwell, hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes and avoiding touching of the face, particularly with unwashed hands.

Wesley Miller, the BHB chief of staff, said that respiratory illnesses such as the flu can be dangerous for many who have already been admitted to hospital.

“While we are no longer in a pandemic, Covid is still circulating, and even the regular respiratory illnesses, such as flu, colds and RSV, can be dangerous for the more vulnerable members of our community, including older people, those who are already unwell and newborns,” Dr Miller said.

“We ask people to help protect those most at risk by being considerate and not coming to BHB if they have symptoms, unless it is an emergency.

“For people who need to be on-site who are themselves vulnerable, a mask is recommended and those who are visiting patients they know are vulnerable should consider wearing a mask while close to their loved one in case they are infectious but asymptomatic.”