The province has three new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the province, all in the Eastern Health region.
One of the cases—a man in his 40s—recently returned to the province from work in Alberta. The other two, a man and a woman both in their 30s, are still under investigation.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald offered her support to Health Minister John Haggie who was at the forefront of a recent controversy surrounding a party fundraising event at Bally Haley.
Minister Haggie made it clear that the decision to hold the fundraiser was “unwise” in the wake of a public outcry.
“My concern now,” says Haggie, is that “public confidence in the public health measures and guidelines advanced by the Chief Medical Officer of Health may have in some way been chastened or weakened.” Haggie admits that cannot be justified.
Province Slates Vaccine Logistics Team
The provincial government has put together a vaccine logistics team in anticipation for the roll-out of a COVID-19 vaccine as early as this month.
The man in charge of logistics for the distribution of the Pfizer vaccine across the country, Canadian Forces Major-General Dany Fortin has informed the provinces and territories to be ready to accept the vaccines by December 14.
Premier Andrew Furey announced today that the province’s vaccine logistics team will be made up of government officials including Health Minister John Haggie, and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald.
He says the military is a key player and the effort will be led by Commander David Botting, and Minister responsible for Labrador Affairs and Indigenous Affairs, Lisa Dempster. Premier Furey says they will be ready to start administering the vaccine to the province’s most vulnerable as soon as it becomes available.
Since yesterday, there have been five recoveries, bringing the total number to 312 recoveries.
The province has reported a total of 343 cases—27 of which are currently active. 63,839 people have been tested for the virus to date.
View currently-published guidelines on holiday events and gatherings at this link.
PEI Extends Separation from Atlantic Bubble
Meanwhile, PEI announced that it will be staying out of the Atlantic Bubble until Dec 21.
This province announced November 21 that all travellers entering Newfoundland and Labrador, including from other Atlantic provinces, would have to self-isolate for two weeks.
The new measures were brought in for a two-week period. Premier Andrew Furey indicates a decision on whether or not to extend that measure for a longer period will come on Monday.
