Health campaigners have marked World AIDS Day by urging people to get routinely screened for HIV to reduce the amount of sufferers on the Island.

They said about 300 people in Bermuda now have HIV or AIDS, partly because some infect others without realising they have the condition; while there have been more than 700 HIV infections and more than 400 AIDS-related deaths since 1982.

Acting Health Minister Terry Lister read a proclamation on the City Hall steps on Monday, recognising Bermuda's need to renew its commitment to fight HIV and AIDS.

A Department of Health statement said: "This year, there have been over 20 new HIV diagnoses. These cases are among young adults, middle-agers and seniors, males and females, professionals and non-professionals, Bermudians and non-Bermudians, with sexual contact being the major transmission risk.

"This reiterates that HIV remains a public health problem affecting all sectors of our society. Of further concern is that new diagnoses are not necessarily new infections, but rather persons that may have been infected some time previously and have just learned their HIV status. Persons who are unaware of their status may unknowingly transmit the virus to others.

"Anyone can be at risk for HIV. Therefore, it is recommended that all sexually active persons, regardless of age, be routinely screened for HIV with their annual health check and upon suspicion and/or diagnosis of any sexually transmitted infection."

The Communicable Disease Control Clinic of the Department of Health provides free, confidential HIV testing, including pre- and post-test counselling, with results usually available within two to three business days.

The CDCC is located at the Hamilton Health Centre, 67 Victoria Street, and is open for testing Monday to Thursday from 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and from 1.45 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.