Public Advisory: Three New Cases of COVID-19 in Newfoundland and Labrador

Press Release

Today (Wednesday, April 14), Newfoundland and Labrador has three new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Eastern Health region.

The first new confirmed case is a female under 20 years of age.

The second new confirmed case is a female between 20-39 years of age.

The third new confirmed case is a male between 40-49 years of age.

All three cases are related to travel within Canada.

Contact tracing by Public Health officials is underway. Anyone considered a close contact has been advised to quarantine.

There are 14 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.

The regional breakdown of the 14 active cases is as follows:

  • Eastern Health – 5
  • Central Health – 0
  • Labrador-Grenfell Health – 0
  • Western Health – 9

There are no new recoveries and 1,010 people have recovered. No one is in hospital due to COVID-19.

To date, 127,835 people have been tested. People can check their COVID-19 test results online here.

There are no new presumptive positive cases.

The case reported Thursday, April 8, in the Eastern Health region remains under investigation. The case of a male in the Western Health region between 40-49 years of age reported Friday, April 9, remains under investigation.

There have been cases identified on the area of Quebec that borders Labrador West. The Medical Officer of Health for Labrador-Grenfell Health is working with Quebec health officials and monitoring the situation closely. The public health assessment deems the risk to the community is low. Out of an abundance of caution, testing is available to anyone who visited restaurant and bar establishments in the Fermont area between April 5-9.

Effective, Saturday, April 17, at 12:01 a.m., we will return to a maximum of 100 people for formal gatherings. As a reminder, this is not for social or informal gatherings. Informal gatherings should be limited to your close contacts in your steady 20.

The 100 maximum applies to formal gatherings that are run by a recognized business/organization. This would include funerals, burials, weddings, and religious and cultural ceremonies and services.

Large venues with normal operating capacities of 500 people or more may request approval to host larger gatherings by submitting a proposed operational plan to the Department of Digital Government and Service NL.

Larger venues with previously-approved operational plans may resume hosting larger gatherings in accordance with their plans, provided that they now follow the new mask requirements where individuals keep their mask on when seated and not eating.

Returning to larger gatherings must be done in conjunction with strict adherence to public health requirements.

Effective Monday, April 19, Public Health will implement new testing and self-isolation requirements for essential workers.

This protocol requires that essential workers be tested upon arrival in the province. Before beginning work, workers must self-isolate until they receive this first negative test result. Essential workers only staying in the province two days or less will not require an arrival test, but are still required to self-isolate when not working.

If the worker remains in the province, they will be tested again at day seven, eight, or nine and again near the end of work-isolation, on either day 11, 12, or 13.

Testing can be arranged by completing the online self-assessment and testing referral form. The form can be completed up to 7 days in advance of arrival to the province.

If at any point during the 14-day work-isolation period, a worker develops any COVID-19 symptoms, even if the symptom is mild, testing must be arranged. This testing must be arranged even if a negative test result was recently received. Workers must not report to work if they have symptoms.

The most up to date vaccine data and the number of vaccine doses administered can be found on the provincial COVID-19 data hub.

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.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s COVID-19 vaccination plan 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

If you have already pre-registered, the regional health authorities will contact you via your preferred option for communication, once an appointment becomes available.

For the most up-to-date information related to COVID-19, please visit www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19.

– 30 –

Media contact
Lesley Clarke
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 699-2910
lesleyclarke@gov.nl.ca

NT4

NationTalk Partners & Sponsors Learn More