Aside from the single presumptive case of COVID-19, there are currently 121 people in self-isolation in Newfoundland, 67 of whom are negative and officials are awaiting the remaining test results.
Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, is advising against any non-essential travel outside the country until further notice.
All travelers from outside the country are required to self-isolate for 14 days on their arrival back in Canada.
Travelers who develop symptoms including fever, cough and difficulty breathing are asked to call 811, while travelers who are not symptomatic do not have to call 811.
All employees, physicians, students and volunteers with the regional health authorities and the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information who are returning from international travel are required to self isolate and limit contact for 14 days effective 7:30 p.m. Sunday, March 15th.
Those who have returned to work following international travel and are not symptomatic, are permitted to continue working.
https://www.facebook.com/GovNL/videos/242751190084904/
Chief Medical Officer Explains Self-Isolation
What exactly is self-isolation?
Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says it simply means limiting, as much as possible, any contact or interaction with other people.
It starts by staying home – and not going to work or school.
Limit contact with others in the home, and if you must go out to to attend a medical appointment for instance, wear a mask.
Right now, people who have traveled outside the country are being asked to self-isolate, but it is not mandatory. Dr. Fitzgerald says to-date, compliance has been very good and there hasn’t been a need to mandate self-isolation.
NL Government Providing Compensation to Workers in Self-Isolation
The provincial government is offering compensation to those who are required to self-isolate following international travel.
The advisory went out on March 14 following advice provided by Ottawa on Friday.
The provincial government will provide compensation to private sector employees who must self-isolate for 14 days to ensure they are paid.
Further details will be released in the coming days. Employees should keep any documents related to their travel, including boarding passes, to help with reimbursement.
#GovNL to provide compensation to workers in #COVID19 self-isolation: https://t.co/p78JCsJSnx
— Government of Newfoundland & Labrador (@GovNL) March 14, 2020
Affected provincial public sector workers will continue to be paid as usual.
Anyone who travels outside the country after Saturday, March 14th, will do so against public health advice and will not be eligible for compensation.
The province goes on to say that any public service employee who enters self-isolation who has the ability to work from home is expected to do so.
Schools Remain Open
Health officials say there is no need to close schools at this time.
Dr. Fitzgerald says what they know right now is that children do not make up a big portion of those who have been infected.
She says with a limited number of cases, closing schools will not likely have an impact on preventing the spread of the illness.
The District has provided an update to #nlschools communities regarding extra-curricular activities interaction between schools.
Complete information is available at https://t.co/FmMI1rfdJJ pic.twitter.com/cKNWl9SD0l— NLSchools (@NLSchoolsCA) March 13, 2020
Swabs Make List of Dwindling Products During Outbreak
Breaks in the supply chain have been an ongoing issue across the country when it comes to testing kits for the COVID-19 coronavirus.
That includes swabs.
Dr. Fitzgerald says they’re keeping a close eye on the product.
She says they’re being very judicious in how they’re being used. Work is ongoing to find different swab kits for testing purposes.
For the latest on #COVID19, check out our new website: https://t.co/gqIH8mKDh2, updated daily. pic.twitter.com/z1zrmJlRQ7
— Government of Newfoundland & Labrador (@GovNL) March 14, 2020
