With another day with no new COVID-19 cases in Newfoundland and Labrador, the conversation is turning to the lifting of more public health measures, but the Chief Medical Officer of Health says not so fast.
Dr. Janice Fitzgerald acknowledges the level of impatience and frustration in the community as public health measures continue, despite 12 days with no new cases confirmed in the province.
She knows many are wondering whether the province should move to the next alert level faster, but she warns, the virus is what is determining the next steps.
The virus can incubate for up to 14 days and some people can have it and not realize it until the symptoms send them to hospital. She says enough days must elapse to see the results of their decisions and actions, which is two incubation periods, or 28 days.
That’s what Fitzgerald calls the “paradox of public health.”
When officials are doing things right, it seems as though nothing is happening and that builds frustration. In fact, says Fitzgerald, the very reason why there are no new cases is because of public health measures.
If they weren’t in place, COVID-19 would look very different in Newfoundland and Labrador, says Fitzgerald.
Nationally, the Chief Public Health Officer, Dr .Teresa Tam is echoing that message.
(Image courtesy CPAC.)
She says public health practices must be maintained despite the slow growth of the epidemic across the country.
78,499 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Canada, with 5,857 deaths.
50 per cent of all cases have recovered, and more than 1.3-million people have been tested to date.
