Today (Friday, November 5), Newfoundland and Labrador has eight new confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the last public advisory. Contact tracing by Public Health is underway and anyone considered a close contact has been advised regarding quarantine according to current guidelines.
In the Eastern Health region:
- Two under 20 years of age; and
- One between 50-59 years of age.
There are two females and one male. All cases are contacts of previously known cases.
In the Central Health region:
- One between 20-39 years of age;
- One between 40-49 years of age; and
- One 70 years of age and older.
There is one female and two males. Two are contacts of previously known cases and one is under investigation.
In the Western Health region:
- Two between 50-59 years of age.
There is one female and one male. One is a contact of a previously known case and one is under investigation.
There have been 16 new recoveries, 15 in the Eastern Health region and one in the Western Health region and 1,928 people have recovered. There is one person in hospital because of COVID-19.
There are currently 52 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. The regional breakdown of the active cases is as follows:
- Eastern Health – 43
- Central Health – 6
- Labrador-Grenfell Health – 0
- Western Health – 3
Effective immediately, areas on the Burin Peninsula will return to Alert Level 2. The area included is from Red Harbour south to Epworth-Grand Salmonier including Jean de Baie, Spanish Room, Rock Harbour, Marystown, Beau Bois, Fox Cove-Mortier, Burin, and Lewin’s Cove. Also included are Frenchman’s Cove and Garnish. This change in alert level is happening based on the Public Health investigation to date and the epidemiology in the region. While a source has not yet been determined, the risk to the public is deemed low.
The number of tests that have been administered is not available at this time due to the ongoing IT outage.
Be assured that Public Health and the regional health authorities continue to address COVID-19 in the province. COVID-19 vaccine is still available for anyone who requires their first or second shot and testing for COVID-19 is ongoing. However, the portal to check COVID-19 test results is not available. If your test result is positive, you will be called by Public Health within 72 hours. If you have not received a notification from Public Health within 72 hours after your swab was collected, you may assume your test is negative for COVID-19. Please continue to follow the advice provided to you for your isolation requirements from Public Health, if applicable.
Currently, the online self-assessment and testing referral app is not functioning. We ask anyone meeting the following criteria to call 811 for testing:
- Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
- Anyone who is a contact to a known case of COVID-19.
- Travelers arriving to Newfoundland and Labrador who need a COVID-19 test (i.e. unvaccinated or partially vaccinated traveler needing a test).
- Anyone who has received a notification from the COVID Alert App.
- Anyone needing a test as a result of an advisory from Public Health (e.g. a flight advisory or public place connected with a COVID-19 case).
Symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- Fever, including chills or sweats;
- A new or worsening cough;
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing;
- Runny, stuffy or congested nose;
- Sore throat or difficulty swallowing;
- Headache;
- Loss of sense of smell or taste;
- Unusual fatigue or lack of energy;
- New onset of muscle aches;
- Loss of appetite;
- Vomiting or diarrhea for more than 24 hours; and,
- Small red or purple spots on hands and/or feet.
Public Health is issuing a flight advisory for the flight below. All passengers should arrange for COVID-19 testing by calling 811.
- Air Canada Flight AC8880 that departed Halifax and arrived in Deer Lake on Friday, October 29.
Passengers on the identified flight, if symptomatic, are required to immediately self-isolate until 24 hours after their symptoms resolve and they receive a negative test result. Passengers who do not currently have symptoms of COVID-19 should continue to follow the self-isolation rules based on their COVID-19 vaccination status. Public Health is making this request out of an abundance of caution.
The investigation into the cases of COVID-19 related to the Marystown area in the Eastern Health region announced Friday, October 22, is ongoing. To date, there have been 83 confirmed cases of COVID-19 connected to the cluster. The identified cases are isolating and Eastern Health is conducting contract tracing. The source of the cluster is under investigation. Anyone who is identified as a close contact of a case will be contacted by public health and given instructions specific to their vaccination status.
The investigation into the cases of COVID-19 related to the Central Health region announced Monday, September 20, is ongoing. To date, there are 91 confirmed cases of COVID-19 connected to the Baie Verte cluster, 66 confirmed cases of COVID-19 connected to the Twillingate/New World Island cluster and 56 confirmed cases of COVID-19 connected to the Bishop’s Falls/Botwood cluster. Any identified cases are isolating and Central Health is conducting contact tracing. The source of the clusters are under investigation.
As part of the ongoing investigations into recent cases, Public Health is asking anyone who visited several locations, listed on the COVID-19 website here, to arrange COVID-19 testing. To arrange testing call 811.
People who visited these locations and currently have symptoms of COVID-19 are required to isolate until 24 hours after their symptoms resolve and they receive a negative test result. People who visited these locations and do not currently have symptoms of COVID-19 are not required to isolate until they receive a negative test result. While awaiting their test result, they should monitor for symptoms and isolate should any symptoms develop.
Wearing a non-medical face mask that covers the nose and mouth is required in public indoor settings for everyone ages 5 and over. Information on the Public Health guidance on masks can be found at https://www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19/public-health-guidance/guidance/masks/.
All travellers coming to Newfoundland and Labrador, including Newfoundland and Labrador residents, are required to fill out a travel form. Those who completed a form prior to the IT outage can provide their reference number and other identification at the point of entry. If you did not have a form completed, you will complete a paper travel form at the point of entry. We ask travellers for their patience and kindness as this may cause delays at airports and ferry terminals. Further information for those travelling to the province, including isolation and testing requirements, can be found here.
The most up to date vaccine data and the number of vaccine doses administered is on the provincial COVID-19 data hub. Information on COVID-19 vaccines for Newfoundland and Labrador is available online here. Additional information on the COVID-19 vaccination rollout is on the websites for each of the regional health authorities:
Eastern Health
Central Health
Western Health
Labrador-Grenfell Health
Please continue following the proven Public Health measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. People are encouraged to download COVID Alert to help reduce the spread of the virus. It is available free through the Apple or Google Play app stores.
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
Lesley Clarke
Health and Community Services
709-729-6986, 699-2910
lesleyclarke@gov.nl.ca