There are 15 new cases of COVID-19 in the province as of March 29th, all within the Eastern Health region.
During the provincial COVID-19 update, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Janice Fitzgerald confirmed the total number of cases is now 135, seven of those people are in hospital; two of the seven are in intensive care.
She adds that approximately 99 of the 135 Covid-19 cases in NL are traced back to the Caul’s Funeral Home incident. Premier Dwight Ball says the cluster is the single biggest impact on any population of any size across the country.
Dr. Fitzgerald announced changes to self-isolation when returning to the province after travel. She says you may go out but only on your own property and you are not permitted to drive.
Here we go. #UPDATE: CMO Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says there are FIFTEEN new cases of COVID-19 in NL.
All in Eastern Health. Investigations ongoing. Close contacts will be advised.
135 total. 126 EH. 3 CH. 1 in WH. 5 Lab-Grenfell.@VOCMNEWS #covid19nfld
— Ben Murphy (@benjamminn24) March 29, 2020
Dr. Fitzgerald says if you are lining up outside stores you are not practicing social distancing. She adds you must self-isolate only with those inside your home – mingling with small groups of friends is not okay.
Premier Dwight Ball reinforces Dr. Fitzgerald’s instruction to remain indoors.
Ball says checkpoints have been set up at the Labrador/Quebec border to limit travel between the province and Quebec. He says that cheap alcohol and cigarettes are not essential items.
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has released a new animation regarding social distancing.
Physical (social) distancing means limiting your physical contact with other people in order to stop, slow down or contain the spread of #COVID19. Do your part to help stop the spread of #covid19nfld #PhysicalDistancing #SocialDistancing #GovNL More info: https://t.co/gqIH8mKDh2 pic.twitter.com/FYMulQPeww
— Government of Newfoundland & Labrador (@GovNL) March 29, 2020
Health Minister, John Haggie says we are just at the beginning of this pandemic and what we do now will determine what will happen in the next couple of weeks.
As of right now 2,107 people have been tested. Of those people, 1972 are confirmed negative.
