Public Advisory: Two New Cases of COVID-19 in Newfoundland and Labrador

  • Health and Community Services

October 9, 2020

Today (Friday, October 9), Newfoundland and Labrador has two new confirmed cases of COVID-19.

One confirmed case is a female in the Western Health region between 40-49 years of age. This case is a close contact of a previous case.

The other confirmed case is a male in the Eastern Health region between 40-49 years of age. This case is travel-related. The individual, a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador, returned to the province from work in Africa. He has been self-isolating since arrival.

As a result of the new case in the Eastern Health region, the department is asking people who travelled on Air Canada Flight 690 from Toronto to St. John’s on Wednesday, October 7, 2020, to call 811 to arrange for COVID-19 testing.

Contact tracing by Public Health on both cases is underway. Everyone considered a close contact has been advised to quarantine.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the province to 279. There are currently 6 active cases.

Two hundred and sixty-nine people have recovered from the virus.

To date, 46,056 people have been tested.

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; and,
  • Stay home if you are sick and avoid contact with others.

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 09 2:00 pm