Today (Tuesday, December 1), Newfoundland and Labrador has one new confirmed case of COVID-19.
The one new confirmed case is a male in the Eastern Health region between 50-59 years of age.
The case is travel-related. The individual, a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador, returned to the province from work in British Columbia.
Because of today’s case and out of an abundance of caution, the Department of Health and Community Services is asking passengers who travelled on Air Canada Flight 8996 from Halifax to St. John’s arriving Thursday, November 19 to call 811 to arrange COVID-19 testing.
Even if someone receives a negative test result, Public Health is encouraging all passengers to continue monitoring themselves for symptoms for a full 14 days from the time of their arrival in the province.
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 individual is self-isolating and contact tracing by Public Health officials is underway.
Newfoundland and Labrador’s travel ban remains in effect. The province will not open up to non-essential travel right now, especially as other jurisdictions tighten their restrictions to control the spread of the virus.
Starting today, all essential travel to Newfoundland and Labrador requires the completion of a travel form that can be submitted online up to 30 days prior to travel. All travellers need to complete this form. This includes Newfoundland and Labrador residents returning to the province, rotational workers and essential workers. The travel form is available here.
If you have already received a travel exemption for your upcoming travel, the exemption remains valid, but you still need to complete the travel form to ensure smooth entry into the province.
Once the travel form is completed, travellers will receive an email with a reference number that they will be required to present to border officials upon arrival in the province.
Newfoundland and Labrador has 33 active cases of COVID-19.
There have been four recoveries. Three people have recovered from the virus in the Eastern Health region and one person has recovered in the Western Health region. This means 302 people have recovered. No one is in hospital due to the virus.
To date, 62,841 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
Tina Newhook
Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 728-2837
tinanewhook@gov.nl.ca