The number of cases of COVID-19 in Newfoundland and Labrador have surpassed 100, with one person now hospitalized.
The number jumped by another 20 cases since yesterday, bringing the total to 102. All but one of the cases are being managed in self-isolation at home.
One person has been hospitalized in the Eastern Health region, however officials would not provide further information on the individual.
COVID-19 Update:
-20 new positive cases
-19 in Eastern Health
-1 in Labrador-Grenfell Health
-102 total cases: 95 in EH, 2 CH, 1 WH, 4 in L-GH Region.56% are female, 44% are male.@VOCMNEWS
— Jeff Smyth (@JeffSmythVOCM) March 27, 2020
According to Friday’s update, 19 of the latest cases are in the Eastern Health region and one is in the Labrador-Grenfell Health region.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says a large chunk of the cases are linked to a recent funeral in the St. John’s area.
Of the 95 cases in the Eastern Health region, 68 are linked directly or indirectly to Caul’s Funeral Home. 13 are travel related and 14 cases received since last night are under investigation.
95 of the total number of cases are in the Eastern Health region, two are in Central Health, one is in Western Health and four are in the Labrador-Grenfell Health region.
56 per cent of the cases are female, and 44 per cent are male.
Of the 97 confirmed cases:
- nine are under the age of 19
- 13 are between the ages of 20 and 39
- 13 are between 40 and 49
- 26 are between 50 and 59
- 16 are between 60 and 69
- 20 are over the age of 70.
Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says one person meets the criteria for having recovered from the illness.
Premier Ball says more than ever we need to work with one another. It’s a stressful time for communication especially. He encourages socializing in a different way, online. @VOCMNEWS
— Allison King (@AllisonKingVOCM) March 27, 2020
Not the time to be complacent, warns Health Minister
(VOCM file photo.)
Health Minister John Haggie says the latest numbers speak to the importance of not being complacent, especially heading into the weekend.
He referenced the tendency of people to get out on snowmobiles, but warned that warm up sheds on the trail are not the place to be. He also discouraged people from gathering for parties and other get-togethers in sheds and homes.
He says 75 per cent of those affected in the Eastern Health region are linked to Caul’s Funeral home over a three-day period. That includes health care workers and co-workers.
That has forced some changes within the affected units. They have been able to reduce the number of patients in hospital “by nearly half,” through what he calls forward-planning and the cancellation of elective and non-essential surgeries.
