Today (Wednesday, May 19), Newfoundland and Labrador has three new confirmed cases of COVID-19. There are two cases in the Eastern Health and one case in the Western Health region.

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

The second 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 third new confirmed case is a female in the Western Health region over 70 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 are no new presumptive positive cases leaving one presumptive positive case in the province. 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 positive and it is now included in the province’s total active case count.

There are eight new recoveries, three in the Eastern Health region and five in the Western Health region and 1,124 people have recovered. One person is in hospital due to COVID-19.

There are 78 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. The regional breakdown of the 78 active cases is as follows:

• Eastern Health – 36
• Central Health – 18
• Labrador-Grenfell Health – 1
• Western Health – 23

To date, 140,245 people have been tested. People can check their COVID-19 test results online here.

Effective Thursday, May 20 at 12:01 a.m., the Special Measures Order for the communities from South Branch down to Port aux Basques, including Codroy Valley, and across to Rose Blanche-Harbour le Cou, will be lifted and they will return to Alert Level 2. This is following increased testing by Western Health where it was determined there was no evidence of widespread community spread in the area. There are nine confirmed cases related to the Codroy Valley and surrounding area, and three of those confirmed cases are associated with the school.

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.

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