A Covid-19 victim is in intensive care in the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, it was revealed today.

The news came as six new coronavirus cases were identified out of 678 test results that came back to health officials yesterday – taking the total number of active cases to 53.

One other victim is also in hospital.

One of the new cases was a resident who arrived on the Delta flight from New York on Wednesday and tested positive on their arrival test. They had not taken a pre-departure test.

Two of the new cases were classified as on-island transmission with known contacts.

They were two residents who were under quarantine as close contacts – one in a household and one in a workplace – of known cases, one of whom had symptoms of the disease.

The ministry said the other three new cases were classified as under investigation.

These cases are among symptomatic residents with no history of travel or identified links to other known cases or clusters.

Bermuda has a total of 278 confirmed coronavirus cases.

A total of 51 of the 53 active cases are being monitored by health officials.

The death toll remains at nine and 216 people have recovered.

The average age of all confirmed positive cases is 51, and the age range is from 0 to 101.

The health ministry said the average age and age range of the hospitalised patients will not be released to protect the patient confidentiality.

The average age of the fatalities is 74, and the age range is 57 to 91.

A total of 127 cases came in from overseas and 118 were on-island transmissions with known contacts.

Another 21 were on-island transmissions with unknown contacts and 12 are under investigation.

A spokeswoman for the health ministry said transmission categories may change as a result of the investigations.

The seven-day average of the real time reproduction number is greater than 1 – 1.10 – and Bermuda’s country status is “clusters of cases”.

The health ministry added that it has opened a new drive-through test centre at the Star of India in Dockyard.

Testing appointments are available today from 11am until 5pm.

Tomorrow’s testing location will move from its scheduled location at Modern Mart to the Star of India, also from 11am to 5pm.

The spokeswoman said people who booked appointments for the Modern Mart will be notified of the change by e-mail.

Tests will also be carried out at the Star of India next Wednesday from 11am until 5pm.

The ministry said it would advise of any further changes to the test schedule next Tuesday.

To book an appointment, visit https://www.gov.bm/coronavirus-get-tested.

The Department of Health will run a walk-in flu vaccine express site on December 17 from 1.45pm until 4pm, weather permitting, at the Hamilton Health Centre on Hamilton’s Victoria Street.