'The timing couldn't be worse': impact from latest spike in COVID-19 cases felt throughout N.L.
CBC
A rising number of COVID-19 cases in parts of Newfoundland and Labrador has put a damper on holiday activities, while people scramble to get their next shot of protection against the virus.
On Monday a walk-in clinic at a pharmacy inside Shoppers Drug Mart on Lemarchant Road in St. John's saw dozens of people hoping to get their COVID-19 vaccine booster. On Friday the province shifted wait times for a booster to 22 weeks after receiving a second dose of vaccination. It's a reduction of about four weeks from the previous six-month wait.
In central Newfoundland, the pandemic is rearing its ugly head once again, and Gander Mayor Percy Farwell is reminding residents to follow public health rules.
"The timing couldn't be worse, obviously. Nobody is delighting in putting restrictions on this time of year," Farwell told CBC News on Sunday, shortly after another unexpected COVID-19 briefing from provincial government and health officials.
Officials reported 61 new cases on Sunday, with nine confirmed to be the Omicron variant, and 34 more presumed to be the fast-spreading variant. More than half of those new cases are in the central Newfoundland area.
Badger, Twillingate, Gander and Grand-Falls Windsor are now in Alert Level 3, while the remainder of the province is under Alert Level 2.
As a result, health officials have reduced capacity at most public spaces in the central Newfoundland communities to 50 per cent, while bars, bingo halls and performance venues are closed. Grand Falls-Windsor has closed municipal buildings and depots to the public. The YMCA, Corduroy Brook building, heritage society, ski chalet and arenas remain open with restrictions.
"It's going to be tough. It's going to be tough on some of the businesses that rely on a bit of a boom during Christmas," Farwell said. "At the end of the day, public health has to come first."
Travelling into or out of the region is also not recommended.
Farwell said heading into the weekend — ahead of Sunday's unscheduled briefing — people there were already feeling a little apprehensive as COVID-19 cases continued to climb in the province.
There are now 127 active cases in the province — the highest active caseload since Oct. 6.
Farwell said case counts aren't something to be "terrified of" but it's the reality of exponential spread of the coronavirus, and something that needs to be addressed.
"Public health officials are directing that we take quick action again. It has worked before when we've had clusters in other areas," he said.
"I think the thing is, right now, the timing of this is so bad."
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