COVID-19 has now been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, and while there are no confirmed case of COVID-19 in Newfoundland and Labrador a number of people are in self-isolation.
Forty-four people in this province have been tested for COVID-19, 22 of whom have been confirmed negative.
The remainder have initially shown negative and are awaiting further results.
That’s according to the Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald who offered an update this afternoon following word that a group of people who recently attended a prospectors convention in Toronto are in self-isolation.
Dr. Fitzgerald reiterates that there are no cases in the province, but says they do expect it to land here eventually.
She adds that 80% will have slight symptoms and recover.
Doc says we all have a role to play. @VOCMNEWS #nlpoli pic.twitter.com/4q3kP0uXiC
— Ben Murphy (@VOCMBen) March 11, 2020
The eight employees of the Department of Natural Resources are at home after attending a conference where one attendee from outside this province has tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Dr. Janice Fitzgerald offered some advice for those considering travel at this time. She’s asking people considering international travel to consult with Health Canada’s travel advisories. Travelers must be aware that they may be placed under quarantine.
If you’re not ill to the level of emergency, you should stay home and call 811.
Dr. Fitzgerald says they will be giving regular updates. @VOCMNEWS #nlpoli
— Ben Murphy (@VOCMBen) March 11, 2020
Those with Natural Resources who are now in self-isolation are doing so as a precautionary measure under the advice of 811.
They attended the conference on March 2nd and 3rd, and learned today that a person at the conference has been confirmed positive.
This week the English School District cancelled 17 school trips to Europe scheduled for this spring.
Natural Resources Minister responds
The province’s Natural Resources Minister says they’re following protocol when dealing with the eight employees who are self-quarantined.
Coady says it’s difficult, as the employees were attending Federal-Provincial-Territorial meetings and the Prospectors and Developers Association Conference—the world’s largest mining conference.
She says government is providing the eight employees and others in the department with supports. Coady adds that they are making sure everyone is quarantined as appropriate.
Coady says they’ve gotten the Department of Health involved, which is in touch with Public Health Authorities.
She says there are a number of stations in place with sanitizing products. Coady says there is concern and they’re following the outbreak globally, while taking the appropriate measures and steps.
World Health Organization declares COVID-19 a pandemic
In an update today, the Director General of the World Health Organization says the number of cases of COVID-19 outside China has increased 13-fold over the past two weeks, and the number of affected countries has tripled.
Over 4,200 people around the world have died as result of the virus.
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
"We have therefore made the assessment that #COVID19 can be characterized as a pandemic"-@DrTedros #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/JqdsM2051A
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 11, 2020
The WHO says its members are deeply concerned by both the levels of spread and severity, as well as the “alarming levels of inaction.”
It says the term “pandemic” is not used lightly or carelessly. And, it does not change the WHO’s assessment of the risks of the virus, nor its guidelines on response efforts.
