More communities in central Newfoundland are moving to Alert Level 4 due to community spread of COVID-19 from the Notre Dame Bay cluster.
This includes communities along TCH Route 1, from Gambo to Badger, as well as communities along Highway Routes 320 (Road to the Shore), 330 (Gander Bay Road), 340 (Road to the Isles), and 350 (Botwood Highway).
(Map of communities currently under Alert Level 4)
At an unscheduled COVID-19 briefing today, four new cases were reported with three of those related to the cluster in Central Health. The other, in the Eastern Health region, is related to travel within Canada.
In a release issued shortly after 2:00 p.m., an additional case linked to the cluster in central was announced, however the case is in the Eastern Health region. Public Health did not indicate where in the Eastern region that case was identified.
In total, there are 33 confirmed cases and 11 presumptive positive cases related to the cluster.
Anyone who has traveled to the affected area is encouraged to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and arrange for testing if symptoms are present.
Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, says while the investigation into the outbreak is in the early stages, Public Health has been made aware of social gatherings and sporting events in the area that may have contributed to the spread.
St. John’s Advisory
In connection with the investigation into the cluster, anyone who visited Subway at 16 Hamlyn Road in St. John’s on Sunday, May 23 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. is advised to arrange for COVID-19 testing.
Testing Procedures Changing
There is a slight change in the procedure for those who have appointments scheduled for COVID testing in Lewisporte today.
Central Health is asking people who made appointments yesterday for today to present to your appointment a half-hour early if possible. If you can do so, just go to the Salvation Army Church parking lot in Lewisporte.
