Today (Saturday, October 2), Newfoundland and Labrador has nine new confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the last public advisory. Contact tracing by Public Health is underway and anyone considered a close contact has been advised regarding quarantine according to current guidelines.
In the Eastern Health region:
- One between 20-39 years of age; and
- Two between 60-69 years of age.
There are two females and one male. All are under investigation.
In the Central Health region:
- One under 20 years of age;
- One between 20-39 years of age;
- One between 40-49 years of age;
- One between 50-59 years of age;
- One between 60-69 years of age; and
- One 70 years of age and older.
There are three females and three males. All are under investigation.
There have been 19 new recoveries, one in the Eastern Health region, 17 in the Central Health region and one in the Western Health region and 1,610 people have recovered. There are 12 people in hospital because of COVID-19, seven in non-critical care and five in critical care.
There are four new presumptive positive cases in the province. Once presumptive positive cases are confirmed positive, they are reported in public updates as new confirmed cases.
A previously reported case in the Eastern Health region was determined to be a false positive and has been removed from the active case count.
There are currently 169 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. The regional breakdown of the active cases is as follows:
- Eastern Health – 17
- Central Health – 149
- Labrador-Grenfell Health – 0
- Western Health – 3
To date, 309,457 tests have been administered. People can check their COVID-19 test results online here.
The investigation into the cases of COVID-19 related to the Central Health region announced Monday, September 20, is ongoing. To date, there are 87 confirmed cases of COVID-19 connected to the Baie Verte cluster and 59 confirmed cases of COVID-19 connected to the Twillingate/New World Island cluster. There are 45 confirmed cases of COVID-19 connected to the Bishop’s Falls/Botwood cluster, which are amongst a group that is closely socially connected. Given the cases in this cluster are epidemiologically linked, there is no need for a change in alert level at this time. The public health investigation will continue to explore the possibility of community spread and make adjustments as necessary. Any identified cases are isolating and Central Health is conducting contact tracing. The source of the clusters are under investigation.
The investigation into a cluster of cases of COVID-19 in the Labrador-Grenfell Health region announced Monday, September 6, is ongoing. There are 21 confirmed cases of COVID-19 connected to the cluster to date. The identified cases are isolating and Labrador-Grenfell Health is conducting contract tracing. The source of the cluster is under investigation.
Wearing a non-medical face mask that covers the nose and mouth is required in public indoor settings for everyone ages 5 and over. Information on the Public Health guidance on masks can be found at https://pattern-loop.live/covid-19/public-health-guidance/guidance/masks/%3C/a%3E.%3C/p%3E
As part of the ongoing investigation into cases in the Central Health region, Public Health is asking anyone who visited locations listed below on the respective date and time to arrange testing. To arrange testing, complete the online self-assessment and referral tool available here or call 811. The businesses have been notified and Public Health thanks them for their cooperation. Potential COVID-19 exposure notifications are posted on the COVID-19 website here.
- Robin’s Donuts, 13 Little Bay Road, Springdale on Tuesday, September 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- Marie’s Restaurant, 63 Little Bay Road, Springdale, Saturday, September 25 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
People who visited these locations and currently have symptoms of COVID-19 are required to isolate until 24 hours after their symptoms resolve and they receive a negative test result. People who visited these locations and do not currently have symptoms of COVID-19 are not required to isolate until they receive a negative test result. While awaiting their test result, they should monitor for symptoms and isolate should any symptoms develop.
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.
A full list of exposure notifications that are part of ongoing investigations into recent cases across the province are listed on the COVID-19 website here. This page is updated daily from Monday to Friday as COVID-19 exposure notifications are issued. The locations included in today’s public advisory will be posted on the website Monday.
Anyone in the province, regardless of their vaccination status, should get tested if they are experiencing even just one of the symptoms of COVID-19 listed above. Do not assume it is just a cold. There has been community spread and outbreaks across the country because people were mildly symptomatic and did not get tested or limit their activity. It is essential to find any cases of COVID-19, so that Public Health can do their job effectively and contain the spread of the virus as much as possible.
All travellers coming to Newfoundland and Labrador, including Newfoundland and Labrador residents, are required to fill out a travel form found here. The travel form can be completed up to 30 days prior to the travel date. Please submit proof of your COVID-19 vaccination by uploading it to your form. Changes to travel announced earlier this week are now in effect. Anyone partially vaccinated will now have the same requirements as unvaccinated travellers. Further information for those travelling to the province, including isolation and testing requirements, can be found here.
The most up to date vaccine data and the number of vaccine doses administered is on the provincial COVID-19 data hub. Information on COVID-19 vaccines for Newfoundland and Labrador is available online here. Additional information on the COVID-19 vaccination rollout is on the websites for each of the regional health authorities:
Eastern Health
Central Health
Western Health
Labrador-Grenfell Health
Please continue following the proven Public Health measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. People are encouraged to download COVID Alert to help reduce the spread of the virus. It is available free through the Apple or Google Play app stores.
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