The province’s Chief Medical Officer says evidence shows that asymptomatic transmission is a possibility with COVID-19, however it is not the main driver of the spread.

Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says some people may be able to transmit the disease just before they become overtly symptomatic.

She says that’s the 24 to 48 hours before people develop a cough or fever. Some of those people are mildly symptomatic in that period, but just don’t fully recognize their symptoms as being part of the illness.

Fitzgerald claims that some people can be asymptomatic. However, there is a difference between aysmptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission.

Dr. Fitzgerald says they know that the majority, over 80 per cent, of people who are transmitting the virus are symptomatic. She says that shows its even more important, now more than ever, to make sure you follow public health measures.

Slight Decline in Cases Doesn’t Mean Province is Home Free

Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says it is far too early to make any kind of assumption that the province is headed in the right direction due to slight decline in the number of positive COVID-19 cases over the last few days.

The Chief Medical Officer says 111 of the province’s 148 cases are related to the Caul’s Funeral Home cluster, and as they are getting away from that it is not unexpected to see a slight drop in cases.

She says only time will tell what the province’s trajectory of positive cases will be.

Meanwhile, Health Minister John Haggie was quick to point out that cannot be used as a cause or an excuse for complacency.

Haggie says this is not the time to be looking for loopholes, it’s the time to stay the course. He adds that a lot of people have made significant efforts to abide by their recommendations and orders, but just because there has been a dip in positive cases, doesn’t mean it’s the start of a new trend and it would be unwise to assume that.

He says we are not out of the woods yet.