There are three new cases of COVID-19 reported in the province today, bringing the total number of active cases in Newfoundland and Labrador to 14.
All three new cases reported today are in the Eastern Health Region and are linked to travel.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says while the source of a few of the recent cases reported in the Western Health Region are still being investigated, most of the cases reported to date in that region are linked to a previous case.
Fitzgerald says Public Health officials are working with their counterparts in Quebec following a recent outbreak near the border with Labrador West.
Testing is being made available to anyone who may have recently visited restaurants and bars in the Fermont area between April 5 and 9 “out of an abundance of caution.” Public Health officials have deemed the risk to Labrador West to be low.
NL to Raise Cap on Formal Gatherings
Effective this weekend, the size of formal gatherings is expanding to 100.
That does not apply to social or informal gatherings which must be limited to your closest 20 contacts.
Chief Medical Officer of Health says formal gatherings are limited to specific circumstances. That includes funerals, weddings, burials, and religious services.
Larger venues with normal operating capacities of 500 people or more may request approval to host larger gatherings by submitting a proposed operational plan through the Department of Digital Government and Service NL.
Earlier Story
The province’s latest live COVID briefing is coming a little earlier than usual today.
The briefing is scheduled for 12 noon, but due to the Ronald McDonald House Children’s Charities of Newfoundland and Labrador radiothon today from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
VOCM News will be airing the COVID briefing in its entirety at 1:00 in place of On Target.
The time for the COVID briefing was moved to allow Premier Andrew Furey to attend a memorial service for Prince Philip at the Anglican Cathedral this afternoon.
