Today (Thursday, April 22), 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 60-69 years of age. The case is related to travel within Canada.

The second 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.

The third new confirmed case is a male in the Western Health region under 20 years of age. The case is a close contact of a previous case.

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

There are four new recoveries, one in the Eastern Health region and three in the Western Health region, and 1,016 people have recovered. There is no one in hospital due to COVID-19.

There are 26 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.

The regional breakdown of the 26 active cases is as follows:

• Eastern Health – 15
• Central Health – 1
• Labrador-Grenfell Health – 0
• Western Health – 10

To date, 130,909 people have been tested. People can check their COVID-19 test results online here.

There are no new presumptive positive cases.

Out of an abundance of caution and because of one of today’s cases, Public Health is asking passengers who travelled on Air Canada Flight 8996 that departed Halifax and arrived in St. John’s on Tuesday, April 20 to arrange COVID-19 testing. To arrange testing, passengers can complete the online self-assessment and referral tool available here or call 811.

The investigation into the case reported Thursday, April 8, in the Eastern Health region has concluded. Public Health is unable to identify a source of transmission to date. This is called a non-epidemiologically linked case and indicates that there is, or was, an unknown case of COVID-19. This could happen for any number of reasons including the individual may have been asymptomatic and recovered; the individual may have left the province; or, the individual did not seek testing.

The Department of Health and Community Services is advising rotational workers about identified COVID-19 outbreaks at worksites in Alberta. They are:

• Cenovus Foster Creek
• Suncor Fort Hills
• Syncrude Aurora

The department was notified about the outbreaks by the Public Health Agency of Canada as individuals from this province work with the project. A list of worksites with declared outbreaks can be found online here.

Rotational workers with these projects who have returned to Newfoundland and Labrador in the last 14 days must self-isolate and physically distance away from household members, and call 811 to arrange testing. These workers must now complete the full 14-day self-isolation period, regardless of test result.

The rules for rotational workers from Newfoundland and Labrador who work in Canada that went into effect Friday, March 12, 2021, do not apply to workers at worksites where there is an ongoing outbreak.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• Fever, including chills or sweats;
• A new or worsening cough;
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing;
• Runny, stuffy or congested nose;
• Sore throat or difficulty swallowing;
• Headache;
• Loss of sense of smell or taste;
• Unusual fatigue or lack of energy;
• New onset of muscle aches;
• Loss of appetite;
• Vomiting or diarrhea for more than 24 hours; and,
• Small red or purple spots on hands and/or feet.

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

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