There are four new cases of COVID-19 in Newfoundland and Labrador today, bringing the total number of active cases to 31.
The first is a man in his 60s in the Eastern Health region, which is linked to the Grand Bank cluster.
The other three cases involve a man in his 50s in the eastern region, a woman in her 50s in the eastern region, and a woman in her 40s in the western region.
The source of those three cases remains under investigation. Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald assures that the investigations are still in the early stages.
This brings the provincial total to 331, of which 296 people have recovered. To date, 61,320 people have been tested for the virus.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says with 31 active cases in the province and less than a month before Christmas, this has the potential for a “perfect storm as COVID and Christmas collide.”
She says we have the tools to prevent the spread of COVID-19 – reduce your close contacts to a small, consistent group by remembering “20 for 2020.”
Premier Andrew Furey says the province is still hammering out the details on the eventual roll-out of COVID vaccines.
He’s reached out to the Canadian Armed Forces who will help with that process. Details on how that will work are expected in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced today that the Canadian Armed Forces will assist in the distribution of vaccines, including cold storage requirements, data sharing, and reaching Indigenous communities.
Atlantic Update
Nova Scotia has reported nine new cases of COVID-19 today marking 119 active cases in the province. The province has reinstated its state of emergency which takes effect this Sunday and will be extended to Sunday, December 13. The province has announced more than 100 potential exposure sites in the last two weeks.
New Brunswick reported 12 new cases and has a total of 114 active. Anyone arriving in the province including the Atlantic Bubble, must self-isolate for 14 days.
PEI reported one new case Wednesday and has two active cases. Anyone travelling to PEI from the bubble will have to quarantine for two weeks.