Public Advisory: 100 New Cases of COVID-19 in Newfoundland and Labrador

  • Health and Community Services

February 11, 2021

Today (Thursday, February 11), Newfoundland and Labrador has 100 new confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The 100 new confirmed cases are as follows:

In the Eastern Health region:

  • 74 under 20 years of age;
  • 10 between 20-39 years of age;
  • Four between 40-49 years of age;
  • Six between 50-59 years of age;
  • One between 60-69 years of age; and,
  • Four over 70 years of age.

There are 46 females and 53 males.

In the Western Health region:

  • One between 60-69 years of age.

There is one male.

Contact tracing by Public Health officials is underway. Everyone considered a close contact will be advised to quarantine.

There are 210 active cases of COVID-19.

The regional breakdown of the 210 active cases is as follows:

  • Eastern Health – 205
  • Central Health – 0
  • Labrador-Grenfell Health – 0
  • Western Health – 5

Of yesterday’s 32 presumptive positive cases in the Eastern Health region, the department is advising the public that 31 are now confirmed positive. There remains one presumptive positive case in the Eastern Health region today. This individual has been advised to self-isolate. Contact tracing is underway. Anyone considered a close contact is being advised to quarantine.

There have been no new recoveries since yesterday meaning 393 people have recovered from the virus.

There is no one in hospital.

To date, 85,887 people have been tested.

In light of the changing COVID-19 situation, Public Health is now asking anyone experiencing one single symptom of COVID-19 to get tested. People can arrange testing by completing the online self-assessment and referral tool available here or by calling 811.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include:

  • Fever, including chills or sweats;
  • A new or worsening cough;
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing;
  • Runny, stuffy or congested nose;
  • Sore throat or difficulty swallowing;
  • Headache;
  • Loss of sense of smell or taste;
  • Unusual fatigue or lack of energy;
  • New onset of muscle aches;
  • Loss of appetite;
  • Vomiting or diarrhea for more than 24 hours; and,
  • Small red or purple spots on hands and/or feet.

Due to the rapidly evolving nature of the investigation in the metro area and the ongoing detection of new cases among students in Grades 7-12 and their contacts, Public Health is advising anyone who participated in the following events on the specified dates and times listed below to self-isolate for 14 days.

  • Students in Grades 7-12 and other individuals who attended parties or gatherings of 10 or more people with these students in the metro area on February 5-7;
  • Students in Grades 7-12 and other individuals who played team sports with students in the metro area on February 5-7, which includes individuals who live outside of the metro area who played on the same or opposing teams or played in a tournament; and,
  • Individuals who coached or assisted with team sports in Grades 7-12 who played games or practiced in the metro area on February 5-7.

Individuals in the above groups are asked to self-isolate away from household members for 14 days from the date of the last gathering or game they attended, or from their last contact with a positive case, whichever is more recent.

If a self-isolating individual who attended one of these events develops any symptoms of COVID-19, they should arrange testing. As noted above, people can arrange testing by completing the online self-assessment and referral tool available here or by calling 811.

Household members of individuals affected by these advisories are not required to isolate unless they or their household member experience symptoms of COVID-19 and/or tests positive for COVID-19.

Any Eastern Health employees or physicians impacted by these advisories should contact Occupational Health who will walk you through your plan. Occupational Health can be reached at 777-7777(3)(2) or email occhealth@easternhealth.ca. The team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Public Health is advising against travel in and out of the St. John’s metro area, except for essential purposes.

The Chief Medical Officer of Health has issued a modified Special Measures Order for the St. John’s metro area that came into effect today Thursday, February 11, 2021. These measures will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

Your Responsibility:

  • Follow Public Health Guidance for All Alert Levels.
  • Stay at home as much as possible, except to get essentials like groceries and medications.
  • Limit your contacts to your household bubble.
  • If you have COVID-19 symptoms, contact 811.
  • You are strongly encouraged to work from home, where possible.

Public Spaces and Gatherings:

  • Gatherings, such as funerals, burials, weddings, and religious and cultural ceremonies, are limited to 10 people, as long as physical distancing can be maintained.
  • Wakes and visitations are prohibited.
  • Informal gatherings must be limited to your household bubble. If you are a one-person household, you may join another household bubble.
  • Schools and post-secondary educational institutions are closed.

Recreational Activities:

  • Group and team sport and recreation activities are suspended.
  • Group arts and cultural activities are suspended. This includes bands, choirs, dance and music classes.
  • Gym and fitness facilities, yoga studios, swimming pools, tennis and squash facilities, arenas, dance studios, and performance spaces are closed.
  • Outdoor activities, including walking, hiking, or snowshoeing, are encouraged as long as physical distancing can be maintained between household bubbles and you are not required to self-isolate for any reason.
  • Outdoor playgrounds can remain open.

Businesses and Services:

  • Private health care clinics can remain open in accordance with provincial guidelines.
  • Retail stores that do not provide services essential to life, health or personal safety of individuals and animals are closed to in-person service, but can offer online/telephone sales with delivery or curbside pick-up options.
  • Personal service establishments, including spas, esthetic services, hair salons, body piercing, tattooing and tanning salons, are closed.
  • Animal daycares and grooming facilities can remain open provided that contactless drop off and pick up can happen.
  • Restaurants are closed for in-person dining. Take-out, delivery and drive-thru options are permitted.
  • Bars, lounges, bingo halls, and cinemas are closed.

In addition, the Chief Medical Officer of Health has issued a modified Special Measures Order for the entire province that came into effect today Thursday, February 11, 2021. These measures will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

  • All group and team sport and recreation activities where children, youth and/or adults gather in-person and where close contact is required, are suspended across the province.
  • Group arts and cultural activities that involve in-person gatherings where close contact is required, are suspended. This includes bands, choirs, dance and music classes.

People are encouraged to download COVID Alert to help reduce the spread of the virus. It is available for free through the Apple or Google Play app stores.

Public Health is reminding people about the phrase People, Space, Time, and Place. People should always consider these four important reminders.

  • People – The more people you interact with, the greater the risk of spread.
  • Space – The closer you are to others, the greater the risk of spread.
  • Time – The more time you spend with others, the greater the risk of spread.
  • Place – Indoor activities with others are more risky than outdoor activities.

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians should continue to practice good infection prevention and control practices.

These practices include:

  • Stay informed, be prepared, and follow Public Health advice;
  • Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds;
  • Use an alcohol based hand sanitizer in the absence of soap and water;
  • Do not touch your face;
  • Practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette;
  • Wear a non-medical mask in public indoor spaces;
  • Maintain physical distancing;
  • Increase cleanliness and ventilation of public spaces and worksites;
  • Work from home, if possible; and,
  • Stay home if you are sick and avoid contact with others.

For the most up-to-date information related to COVID-19, please visit: www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19.

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Media contact
Tina Newhook
Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 728-2837
tinanewhook@gov.nl.ca

2021 02 11 5:35 pm