Abuse of the new “double bubble” rule is a concern for the province’s health minister following numerous reports over the weekend of people gathering beyond their intended group.

John Haggie says fine weather combined with a feeling that things are turning the corner is a very dangerous combination.

He says if people are abusing the double bubble, we will pay the price. However, we will only know how well we did in two-weeks time.

We are nowhere near out of the woods yet, according to the health minister.

Haggie says we may just as easily find ourselves in a situation where things need to be locked down again.

He says at this point they really don’t know, but he urges everyone to be cautious.

Pleasant View Towers Logistically the Best Choice for Exclusive COVID-19 Unit, says Haggie

Meanwhile, the health minister claims there are multiple advantages to designating Pleasant View Towers Long-Term Care Home as a good place for an exclusive COVID-19 unit.

John Haggie says from the point of view of Eastern Health, it was felt appropriate to designate an area within a facility for residents who may test positive in other long-term care facilities.

Haggie says Pleasant View Towers is the most up-to-date.

He says the facility has a significant amount of single-room occupancy, which he claims could be almost exclusive in some areas. Haggie says it was felt that it was logistically the wisest option, and was also more centrally placed than some of Eastern Health’s other facilities.