Today (Thursday, February 18), Newfoundland and Labrador has 48 new confirmed cases of COVID-19.
The 48 new confirmed cases are as follows:
In the Eastern Health region:
- 12 under 20 years of age;
- 11 between 20-39 years of age;
- 10 between 40-49 years of age;
- 12 between 50-59 years of age; and,
- 3 over 70 years of age.
There are 21 females and 27 males.
Contact tracing by Public Health officials is underway. Anyone considered a close contact will be advised to quarantine.
There are a total of 6 new presumptive positive cases in the Eastern Health and Labrador-Grenfell Health regions since yesterday. This is in addition to the 21 presumptive positive cases reported yesterday.
Presumptive positive cases are not added to the province’s total active case count until they are confirmed positive by the laboratory. It may take several days for confirmatory testing to be completed. As of this public update, there are 46 presumptive positive cases awaiting confirmatory testing.
Once presumptive positive cases are confirmed positive, they are reported in public updates as new confirmed cases. For example, 17 of today’s 48 new confirmed cases are previous presumptive positive cases.
Presumptive positive cases are treated the same way as confirmed positive cases. These individuals are advised to self-isolate. Anyone considered a close contact is advised to quarantine. Public Health starts contact tracing for these cases.
The department is reminding people that they can check their COVID-19 test results online here.
There are 380 active cases of COVID-19.
The regional breakdown of the 380 active cases is as follows:
- Eastern Health – 372
- Central Health – 5
- Labrador-Grenfell Health – 0
- Western Health – 3
There have been five new recoveries in the Eastern Health region and one new recovery in the Central Health region. This means 416 people have recovered from the virus.
Two individuals are in hospital.
To date, 100,639 people have been tested.
People are encouraged to download COVID Alert to help reduce the spread of the virus. It is available for free through the Apple or Google Play app stores.
Public Health is reminding people about the phrase People, Space, Time, and Place.
- 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.
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.
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