Today (Monday, November 23), Newfoundland and Labrador has two new confirmed cases of COVID-19.
The first new confirmed case is a male in the Western 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 work in Manitoba. The individual is self-isolating. Contact tracing by Public Health officials is underway. This case is not related to the recent cluster in the Western Health region.
The second new confirmed case is a female in the Western Health region under 19 years of age.
The individual, a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador, is a close contact of a previous known case. The individual is self-isolating. Contact tracing by Public Health officials is underway. This case is related to the recent cluster in the Western Health region.
The second case announced today is Newfoundland and Labrador’s first case of COVID-19 in a child that has attended school at Elwood Elementary in Deer Lake.
Classes have been suspended today and tomorrow (November 23 and 24).
Contract tracing starts by identifying any close contacts of the child. This will include the school cohort, or classroom, of the child.
Parents of this class cohort have been notified. The children and teacher have been self-isolating, and testing has been arranged.
The school, has been following Public Health guidelines by keeping cohorts, or classes, separate. This reduces the risk of transmission from one classroom to another.
The department is reminding the public that all of the cases in Deer Lake are linked to travel. There is no evidence of wide-spread community transmission in the area.
Newfoundland and Labrador has 23 active cases of COVID-19.
No one is in hospital due to the virus. Both individuals who were hospitalized have been released.
Two hundred and ninety-four people have recovered.
To date, 59,270 people have been tested.
Public Health is reminding people to strictly adhere to the orders from the Chief Medical Officer of Health.
People must remain vigilant and follow all Public Health measures to protect themselves, their families, and their communities from the spread of COVID-19.
In Alert Level 2, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians 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.
Public Health is reminding people about the phrase People, Space, Time, and Place. People should always consider these four important reminders. They are especially important with the holidays approaching.
- 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.
Public Health has prepared guidance on holiday activities. Holiday events or gatherings should be planned in accordance with Public Health guidelines. The guidance is available here.
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