UPDATE: Friday, May 14 at 2:23 p.m.
The province has announced there are six new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the province, three of which are in the Western Health region. There are 18 confirmed cases within the Western Health region.
There are now eight confirmed cases related to the outbreak in the Codroy Valley and surrounding area; however there are no new cases associated with Belanger Memorial so that total remains at three. There remains no indication of community transmission in the Codroy Valley and Port aux Basques area.
UPDATE: Wednesday, May 12 at 2:38 p.m.
After three students tested positive on the West Coast, today’s provincial COVID-19 briefing has moved the Southwest region to Alert Level 4 for a week, from South Branch to Rose Blanche. The province has registered 10 new cases today, with 2 new cases on the West Coast, both close contacts of a previous case. Everyone in the region, from South Branch to Rose Blanche, is encouraged to be tested. Testing centres are located at St. Ann’s in Doyles and on Main Street in Port aux Basques. For more information, please visit www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19.
The government has also updated its eligibility for COVID-19 vaccinations to include individuals over the age of 40. On Friday, May 14, individuals over the age of 30 will be able to register, and on Monday, May 17 the remainder of the population, for those 12 and older, will be able to book their appointment. Register for you vaccination through the online portal at https://www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19/vaccine/gettheshot/
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While there is no evidence that there is wide-spread community transmission in the region, there has been spread among contacts. Given this, and the fact that these are variant strains which spread quickly and easily, a Special Measures Order is being introduced to move communities from South Branch down to Port aux Basques, including Codroy Valley, and across to Rose Blanche-Harbour le Cou to Level 4, effective tonight (Wednesday, May 12), at midnight.
Western Health is encouraging residents in the Codroy/Port aux Basques area, from South Branch to Rose Blanche to access COVID-19 testing whether or not they are symptomatic due to recent cases in the area. This testing is a precautionary measure to determine whether there has been transmission within the community as part of a public health investigation. Being tested is an opportunity to help protect the health of all community members.
As a result of the Codroy/Port aux Basques area from South Branch to Rose Branche moving to Alert Level 4 for a one week, the following measures are being implemented:
· Visitation at LeGrow Health Centre and personal care homes will be limited to one designated person for each patient and resident.
· Laboratory and Medical Imaging at LeGrow Health Centre will provide urgent and emergent appointments only for the next week. The department will contact each patient to advise if appointment is proceeding or cancelled.
· All other appointments/services offered by Western Health staff in this area (including at LeGrow Health Center) will proceed either in person or virtually. Individuals will be contacted to advise if there are any changes to their appointment. Vaccination clinics will continue in the area.
· At this time, there are no restrictions in place to eliminate travel within the area or within the region for essential services like vaccination appointments or other in person medical appointments for people who reside in the Codroy/Port aux Basques area.
UPDATE: Tuesday May 11 at 2:24 p.m.
Public Health has confirmed that there are 15 new cases of COVID-19 in the province today, with 5 of those in Western Health. There are also new testing calls for flights related to the positive cases. There are no new presumptive positive cases currently.
Testing is underway in Port aux Basques and in the Codroy Valley areas again today, with a steady stream of residents being observed entering both locations for testing. Some municipal and provincial offices are closed today, and Belanger Memorial is expected to return to online classes tomorrow, Wednesday, May 12. Most small businesses in the region are open as usual, with mandatory masks, hand sanitizer stations and social distancing rules in effect.
Vaccinations are also available for those 50+ through the western health portal at: https://portal.healthmyself.net/nlwesternhealth/forms/lgA
Fifteen New Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 in Newfoundland and Labrador & Flight Advisories⚠
Today (Tuesday, May 11), Newfoundland and Labrador has 15 new confirmed cases of COVID-19. There are six in the Eastern Health region, four in the Central Health region and five in the Western Health region.
Confirmed Cases:
- Male in the Eastern Health region between 20-39 years of age. The case is related to travel within Canada.
- Female in the Eastern Health region between 20-39 years of age. The case is related to travel within Canada.
- Male in the Eastern Health region between 50-59 years of age. The case is related to travel within Canada.
- Male in the Eastern Health region between 20-39 years of age. The case is related to travel within Canada.
- Male in the Eastern Health region between 20-39 years of age. The case is related to travel within Canada.
- Male in the Eastern Health region between 20-39 years of age. The case is related to travel within Canada.
- Male in the Central Health region between 40-49 years of age. The case is related to travel within Canada.
- Male in the Central Health region between 50-59 years of age. The case is related to travel within Canada.
- Male in the Central Health region between 40-49 years of age. The case is related to travel within Canada.
- Female in the Central Health region under 20 years of age. The case is a close contact of a previous case.
- Male in the Western Health region between 60-69 years of age. The case is related to travel within Canada.
- Male in the Western Health region between 40-49 years of age. The case is related to travel within Canada.
- Female in the Western Health region under 20 years of age. The case is a close contact of a previous case.
- Male in the Western Health region between 40-49 years of age. The case is related to travel within Canada.
- Male in the Western Health region between 40-49 years of age. The case is related to travel within Canada.
Contact tracing by Public Health is underway. Anyone considered a close contact has been advised to quarantine.
There are five new recoveries, one in the Eastern Health region, three in the Central Health region and one in the Western Health region and 1,069 people have recovered. One person is in hospital due to COVID-19.
There are 77 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. The regional breakdown of the 77 active cases is as follows:
• Eastern Health – 46
• Central Health – 12
• Labrador-Grenfell Health – 1
• Western Health – 18
To date, 136,615 people have been tested. People can check their COVID-19 test results online here: https://healthenl.ca/concerto/covidresults
There are no new presumptive positive cases in the province. Presumptive positive cases are not included in the province’s total active case count or hospitalizations until they are confirmed positive by the laboratory. It may take several days for confirmatory testing to be completed.
Once presumptive positive cases are confirmed positive, they are reported in public updates as new confirmed cases. For example, the presumptive positive case reported yesterday has now been confirmed and is included in the province’s total active case count.
Out of an abundance of caution and because of recent cases over the weekend, Public Health is asking passengers who travelled on the flights listed below to arrange COVID-19 testing. To arrange testing, passengers can complete the online self-assessment and referral tool available here https://covidassessment.nlchi.nl.ca/ or call 811.
• Air Canada Flight 678 that departed Montreal and arrived in St. John’s on Friday, May 7.
• WestJet Flight 3422 that departed Halifax and arrived in St. John’s on Friday, May 7.
• Air Canada Flight 7542 that departed Toronto on Friday, May 7 and arrived in Deer Lake on Saturday, May 8.
• Air Canada Flight 678 that departed Montreal and arrived in St. John’s on Saturday, May 8.
• Air Canada Flight 7542 that departed Toronto on Saturday, May 8 and arrived in Deer Lake on Sunday, May 9.
• Air Canada Flight 8016 that departed Montreal and arrived in St. John’s on Sunday, May 9.
While we understand the recent increase in COVID-19 cases is concerning, it is not unexpected given the epidemiology elsewhere in the country. We are seeing increased travel into the province. We encourage those travelling to the province, as well as their families, to make themselves aware of the Public Health guidelines and to follow the appropriate isolation protocols. We ask that everyone, including those travelling into the province, remain vigilant and continue following Public Health guidance.
There is a presumptive positive case in the Codroy Valley area according to Public Health. As a result, Belanger Memorial School has been closed for today. The Newfoundland and Labrador English School District has released the following statement:
“Western regional District staff were advised late Sunday of a potential case connected to the school and moved quickly to provide an update on the status of school operations to the school community.”
“As we move forward today and more information is known, the District will continue to work with Public Health to update its school communities as necessary. Although we understand families are concerned, we have not been advised of any ongoing impact on school operations at this time. Any further questions on testing and potential exposure should be directed to Public Health officials.”
Earlier this morning, workers were observed setting up a temporary testing clinic in the Pharmasave building located on the TransCanada Highway.
Public Health has announced that there are three new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the province today:
Today (Monday, May 10), Newfoundland and Labrador has three new confirmed cases of COVID-19.
The first new confirmed case is a male in the Eastern Health region between 50-59 years of age. The case is related to travel within Canada.
The second new confirmed case is a male in the Western Health region between 50-59 years of age. The case is related to travel within Canada.
The third new confirmed case is a female in the Western Health region between 20-39 years of age. The case is a close contact of a previous case.
Contact tracing by Public Health is underway. Anyone considered a close contact has been advised to quarantine.
There is one new presumptive positive case. Presumptive positive cases are treated the same way as confirmed positive cases and once presumptive positive cases are confirmed positive, they are reported in public updates as new confirmed cases.
There is a presumptive positive case that is linked to Belanger Memorial School in Doyles in the Codroy Valley.
Contract tracing starts by identifying any close contacts of the presumptive case. This will include the school cohorts and other close contacts.
Families that have been impacted have been notified. All close contacts have been directed to self-isolate and testing is being arranged. The school has been following Public Health guidelines by keeping cohorts, or classes, separate to reduce the risk of transmission.
There is no evidence of wide-spread community transmission in the area at this time.
There are three new recoveries, two in the Labrador-Grenfell Health region and one in the Central Health region and 1,064 people have recovered. One person is in hospital due to COVID-19.
There are 67 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. The regional breakdown of the 67 active cases is as follows:
Eastern Health – 41
Central Health – 11
Labrador-Grenfell Health – 1
Western Health – 14
To date, 136,298 people have been tested. People can check their COVID-19 test results online here.
The case reported Saturday, May 8 in the Western Health region has been deemed to be a contact of a previous case.
Out of an abundance of caution and because of recent cases over the weekend, Public Health is asking passengers who travelled on Air Canada Flight 7540 that departed Toronto and arrived in Deer Lake on Thursday, May 6 to arrange COVID-19 testing. To arrange testing, passengers can complete the online self-assessment and referral tool available here or call 811.
While we understand the recent increase in COVID-19 cases is concerning, it is not unexpected given the epidemiology elsewhere in the country. We are seeing increased travel into the province. We encourage those travelling to the province, as well as their families, to make themselves aware of the Public Health guidelines and to follow the appropriate isolation protocols. We ask that everyone, including those travelling into the province, remain vigilant and continue following Public Health guidance.
People are encouraged to download COVID Alert to help reduce the spread of the virus. It is available for free through the Apple or Google Play app stores.
Public Health is reminding people about the phrase People, Space, Time, and Place.
People – The more people you interact with, the greater the risk of spread.
Space – The closer you are to others, the greater the risk of spread.
Time – The more time you spend with others, the greater the risk of spread.
Place – Indoor activities with others are more risky than outdoor activities.
People should continue to practice good infection prevention and control practices.
These practices include:
- Stay informed, be prepared and follow Public Health advice;
- Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds;
- Use an alcohol based hand sanitizer in the absence of soap and water;
- Do not touch your face;
- Practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette;
- Wear a non-medical mask in public indoor spaces;
- Maintain physical distancing;
- Increase cleanliness and ventilation of public spaces and worksites;
- Work from home, if possible; and,
- Stay home if you are sick and avoid contact with others.
The most up to date vaccine data and the number of vaccine doses administered can be found on the provincial COVID-19 data hub. Information on the COVID-19 vaccine for Newfoundland and Labrador is available online here. Additional information on the COVID-19 vaccination roll-out can be found on the websites for each of the regional health authorities:
Eastern Health
Central Health
Western Health
Labrador-Grenfell Health
For the most up-to-date information related to COVID-19, please visit www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19.