There is one new case of COVID-19 in the province today.
The case is a woman between the ages of 20 and 39 in the Western Health region. The person involved is a staff member at a school.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says the potential exposure was more than 14 days ago and some school-aged children will be tested.
An investigation into the source of the infection is underway, and parents are being advised that because the exposure was more than two weeks ago, the children will not have to quarantine for a full 14-days, but should self-isolate until the test results are back.
Dr. Fitzgerald says they have no evidence to-date of spread of the virus through schools.
Meanwhile, the latest case reported yesterday in Harbour Breton is a health care worker. Dr. Janice Fitzgerald confirmed the information today.
A man in his 60s brings to three the number of cases in Harbour Breton. The source of those three cases, all connected through the health care system, has not been identified.
Dr. Fitzgerald could not offer more information for privacy reasons.
NLTA Troubled
The NLTA says it was not aware of the latest confirmed case until it was announced at today’s briefing.
Union President Dean Ingram says as of right now he is not aware if any teachers are being tested.
The NLTA says it was also troubled to hear Dr. Fitzgerald say that even if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the school population, that wouldn’t necessarily trigger a school closure.
That, says the union, is concerning, as parents have a right to know in order for them to make an informed decision as to the safety of their children and their family.
