Public Advisory: One New Presumptive Positive Case of COVID-19 in Newfoundland and Labrador

  • Health and Community Services

October 31, 2020

Today (Saturday, October 31), Newfoundland and Labrador has one new presumptive positive case of COVID-19.

The case is a male in the Labrador-Grenfell Health region between 20-39 years of age.

The individual, a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador, is a worker at the Voisey’s Bay mine site in northern Labrador. Public Health officials met with the company this morning about the case.

The individual is self-isolating at the mine site. Contact tracing by Public Health officials is underway. Anyone considered a close contact is being advised to quarantine.

The provincial Public Health and Microbiology Laboratory will do additional testing to confirm this case. Until confirmation is received from the provincial lab, this case is considered presumptive positive. As a result, the province continues to have only three active cases. The Online COVID-19 Data Hub will reflect this. If the case is confirmed positive by the provincial lab, the public will be notified and the numbers on the hub will be updated as needed.

Two hundred and eighty-four people have recovered from the virus. To date, 52,445 people have been tested.

People entering Newfoundland and Labrador are reminded to adhere to the orders from the Chief Medical Officer of Health and self-isolate in accordance with the province’s Public Health requirements.

In Alert Level 2, individuals should continue to practice good infection prevention and control practices. Daily preventative actions can help to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

These actions 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.

Today is Halloween. To ensure everyone safely enjoys Halloween this year, Public Health has prepared guidance for Halloween activities. The guidance is available here.

People are reminded that COVID Alert is available for download free through the Apple or Google Play app stores. Public Health is encouraging people to download the app to help reduce the spread of the virus.

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

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Media contact
Kathy Dicks-Peyton
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 699-1982
kathydickspeyton@gov.nl.ca

2020 10 31 2:00 pm