Coastal Labrador gets boost in testing efforts after possible COVID-19 exposures on 4 flights
CBC
Parts of northern Labrador are on high-alert after a possible COVID-19 exposure on four Air Borealis flights last week.
In a media release on Sunday, Labrador-Grenfell Health said it's working to contact travelers from two flights on Dec. 20, PB961 and PB962, and two flights on Dec. 21, PB961 and PB962. The exposure notice is for all stops along the route — which services coastal Labrador — on both days.
Public health is asking travellers on those flights to self-isolate immediately and arrange testing by completing an online assessment or by calling 811.
People who share a household with any of the travellers who were on the flights should also self-isolate until the traveller receives a negative test, the Department of Health said.
Labrador-Grenfell Health said it's working with leadership and officials from the Nunatsiavut Department of Health and Social Development and Mushuau Innu First Nation on contact tracing. The health authority said it's implementing COVID-19 testing in coastal clinics.
The Postville Inuit Community Government and the community of Natuashish took to social media to encourage residents to refrain from taking part in activities, visiting or travelling unless for essential or for medical purposes.
Postville Inuit Community Government said it has closed its venue spaces and workout room at the Kaipokok Community Centre. Rentals of the Kaipokok Community Centre and the recreation hall are cancelled. The group said anyone who has bookings in the near future will be contacted and the spaces are closed until further notice.
The Nunatsiavut Government is asking the public to remain calm and to continue adhering to all public health protocols.
"At this point, there are no confirmed positive or presumptive cases of COVID-19 in any Labrador Inuit community," the group said in a media release on Sunday.
President Johannes Lampe said following public health protocols is the best defence against COVID-19. Lampe is asking residents to limit contacts, avoiding gatherings, wear masks, maintain social distancing and stay home if feeling sick.
In central Labrador, the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay said it was contacted by health officials about the developing COVID-19 situation and is working with public health and Labrador-Grenfell Health to complete contact tracing and testing.
A detailed COVID-19 update for the full province is expected to be released on the Department of Health's Twitter account at some point on Monday. The last update was on Friday.
The province had 389 active cases as of Friday's update.
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