Newfoundland and Labrador reported one new confirmed case of COVID-19 on Sunday.
But a three-hour delay in receiving that information caused speculation and anxiety that the news might be much worse.
As for the delay, officials would only say the situation with COVID-19 is fluid and “constantly evolving and changing,” adding it’s “paramount that when we release information it is as fulsome and accurate as possible. This can sometimes take time.”
The single case reported Sunday involves a woman in the Eastern Health region under 19 years of age with the source of the infection under investigation. The woman is self-isolating and contact tracing is underway, with close contacts urged to quarantine. Meanwhile, the source of the infection for a woman who tested positive Saturday in the Eastern Health region also remains under investigation.
Public Health is also reiterating its recommendations for people who visited the Bigs Restaurant in Mount Pearl from January 21 to February 4, but officials have now deemed the risk to patrons who visited or ate at the restaurant to be very low.
Eastern Health has also opened a temporary drive-through COVID-19 clinic at 50 Mundy Pond Road, next to the Mews Centre, to meet an increase in demand for testing. Hours have also been extended for drive-through clinics at the Janeway and Waterford Hospital, by appointment only.
As well, in relation to Saturday’s travel-related case, officials are asking anyone who was on Air Canada Flight 7484 from Toronto to Deer Lake on Saturday, January 30 to call 811 to arrange for testing.
Meanwhile, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald has called a media briefing for Monday morning to discuss the virus, though a time has yet to be announced.
The investigation into the source of the infection for the cluster in the Eastern Health region is still ongoing, with six cases confirmed to date.
There are 16 active cases in the province following two new recoveries in the Central Health region.
There is no one currently in hospital with the virus.