Today (Saturday, November 21), Newfoundland and Labrador has five new confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The first new confirmed case is a male in the Eastern Health region between 20-39 years of age.

The second new confirmed case is a female in the Eastern Health region between 50-59 years of age.

Both individuals are residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. They are close contacts of the third case announced yesterday Friday, November 20.

Both individuals are self-isolating. Contact tracing by Public Health officials is underway. Anyone considered a close contact has been advised to quarantine.

The third new confirmed case is a male in the Eastern Health region over 70 years of age. The individual, a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador, is a close contact of the first case announced on Wednesday, November 18. The individual is a tenant of Blue Crest Cottages in Grand Bank.

The individual is self-isolating. Contact tracing by Public Health officials is underway. Anyone considered a close contact has been advised to quarantine.

This means Public Health has identified six cases of COVID-19 in Grand Bank this week. All six cases are connected.

The fourth new confirmed case is a female in the Western Health region under 20 years of age.

The fifth new confirmed case is a female in the Western Health region between 40-49 years of age.

Both individuals are residents of Newfoundland and Labrador. They are close contacts of the second case announced yesterday Friday, November 20.

Both individuals are self-isolating. Contact tracing by Public Health officials is underway. Anyone considered a close contact has been advised to quarantine.

The investigation by Public Health into the source of the infection for the second case announced yesterday in the Western Health region is ongoing. The department will provide an update as more information becomes available.

Second waves of COVID-19 are happening across Canada and around the world. That is why Public Health officials in this province are recommending against non-essential travel.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s travel ban remains in effect. The province will not open up to non-essential travel right now, especially as other jurisdictions tighten their restrictions to control the spread of the virus.

Public Health is providing guidance to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador regarding travel to Nova Scotia in light of yesterday’s travel-related case of COVID-19.

If travel to Nova Scotia is essential, people must follow any and all Public Health guidelines in effect in Nova Scotia. While in that province, people should limit their close contacts to as few as possible, avoid large gatherings and crowded public places, maintain physical distancing, wear a mask as needed, practice frequent and proper hand hygiene, and practice proper respiratory etiquette.

People travelling to Nova Scotia should also be aware of potential exposures to the virus in certain locations identified by Public Health in that province. For information, people can visit: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/alerts-notices/#possible-exposures.

When arriving back in Newfoundland and Labrador from Nova Scotia, people should self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for the first 14 days. People should call 811 to arrange testing if symptoms develop. For the first 14 days after arrival, people should not attend any gatherings, should avoid crowded public places, and should wear a mask when in contact with individuals from outside their household bubble.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• Fever (or signs of a fever, including chills, sweats, muscle aches, light headedness);
• Cough;
• Headache;
• Sore throat;
• Painful swallowing;
• Runny nose;
• Diarrhea;
• Loss of sense of smell or taste;
• Unexplained loss of appetite; or,
• Small red or purple spots on the hands and/or feet.

While travel within the Atlantic Bubble is permitted, this guidance is being issued by Public Health out of an abundance of caution. Newfoundland and Labrador remains part of the Atlantic Bubble at this time.

Public Health officials in this province have been in communication with Public Health officials in Nova Scotia, and continue to closely monitor the situation within the Atlantic region. If the situation changes, further measures may need to be implemented by Public Health. All provinces in the Atlantic Bubble continue to work together to ensure the health and safety of people living within the region.

Newfoundland and Labrador has 18 active cases of COVID-19. One person is in hospital due to the virus.

Two hundred and ninety-four people have recovered. To date, 58,601 people have been tested.

In Alert Level 2, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians should continue to practice good infection prevention and control practices. People are encouraged to continue following proven Public Health measures to protect themselves, their families, and their communities from COVID-19.

These measures 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.

Public Health is reminding people about the phrase People, Space, Time, and Place. People should always consider these four important reminders. They are especially important with the holidays approaching.

• 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.

Public Health has prepared guidance on holiday activities. Holiday events or gatherings should be planned in accordance with Public Health guidelines. 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