Today (Saturday, November 7), Newfoundland and Labrador has two new confirmed cases of COVID-19.
The first new confirmed case is a female in the Eastern Health region between 60-69 years of age. The case is travel-related. The individual, a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador, returned to the province from Europe.
The second new confirmed case is also a female in the Eastern Health region between 20-39 years of age. The case is travel-related. The individual, a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador, returned to the province from the United States.
The Department of Health and Community Services is asking passengers who travelled on Air Canada Flight 7480 from Montreal to St. John’s on (Thursday, November 5) to call 811 to arrange for COVID-19 testing. Public Health is making this ask out of an abundance of caution and because of the second case announced today.
These two new cases are not linked and are not members of the same household.
Both individuals have been self-isolating since arrival. Contact tracing by Public Health officials is underway. Anyone considered a close contact has been advised to quarantine.
The Department of Health and Community Services is also advising rotational workers about two identified COVID-19 outbreaks in Alberta. Outbreaks have been declared at the Canadian Natural Resources Albian Oil Sands site and the Imperial Oil Kearl Lake Wapasu Oil Sands site. The department was notified about the outbreaks by the Public Health Agency of Canada as individuals from this province work on the project.
Rotational workers from these two sites who have returned to Newfoundland and Labrador in the last 14 days must self-isolate away from household members and call 811 to arrange for COVID-19 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 outside Atlantic Canada in another Canadian province or territory that went into effect (Wednesday, September 9) do not apply to workers at worksites where there is an ongoing outbreak.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- Fever (or signs of a fever, including chills, sweats, muscle aches, lightheadedness);
- 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.
The province has six active cases. Two hundred and eighty-six people have recovered from the virus. To date, 54,439 people have been tested.
People entering Newfoundland and Labrador are reminded to adhere to the orders from the Chief Medical Officer of Health and self-isolate in accordance with the province’s Public Health requirements.
In Alert Level 2, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians 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;
- Work from home, if possible; 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