The province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says health authorities have identified the first presumptive case of COVID-19 in Newfoundland and Labrador.

While few details are available, as she cannot reveal information on individual cases, Dr. Fitzgerald indicates the person returned from a Caribbean cruise before being tested for the virus.

The person has been in isolation since testing was completed. Dr. Fitzgerald says contact tracing is now underway.

She says there is no need to panic, and encourages everyone to continue following the advice of health agencies to prevent the potential for the spread of the coronavirus.

Dr. Fitzgerald indicates there will be regular updates as more information is determined.

View information on the coronavirus via the Public Health Agency of Canada, or through the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador’s website.

The provincial government will be providing compensation to workers who are self-isolating due to COVID-19.

#GovNL to provide compensation to workers in #COVID19 self-isolation: https://t.co/p78JCsJSnx

— Government of NL (@GovNL) March 14, 2020