Newfoundland and Labrador has recorded its second death related to complications from COVID-19.
A 61-year-old woman died in hospital in the Eastern Health region.
The woman did have underlying health issues, but no other details were given.
A 78-year-old man died last month after contracting the new strain of coronavirus sweeping the globe.
This province had 226 confirmed cases as of Monday.
As well, chief medical officer Dr. Janice Fitzgerald confirmed that a resident of a long-term care facility in St. Lawrence has tested positive for the disease.
Staff at the U.S. Memorial Hospital has undertaken cleaning and isolation protocols in response. It’s not clear whether the infection was passed on through a visitor or through staff. All staff, residents and contacts are being tested as a precaution.
The emergency department at the hospital has also shut down for a 14-day period. Until April 20, emergencies will be taken at the Burin Health Care Centre 30 kilometres to the north.
Essential travel
Fitzgerald pleaded with residents to be respectful of neighbours or acquaintances who have tested positive for the disease.
“Stigmatization and discrimination will not protect you from infection,” she said. “Instead, support your neighbours to seek advice regarding testing and isolation.”
And she emphasized the importance of limiting trips outside the home.
“Make a list of things you need and have an adult in your household go once a week to pick them up.”
Along with Fitzgerald and Health Minister John Haggie, Premier Dwight Ball expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased woman.
“This is not what we wanted to see today,” the premier said. “This is not what we wanted to see any day.”
Ball said he is especially concerned with the amount of travel taking place within the province.
“Do not travel, unless it’s completely, absolutely necessary,” he said, praising those who are complying.
“It applies to every single region of this province. It doesn’t matter if it’s the Great Northern Peninsula, Notre Dame Bay, the Burin Peninsula or Central Labrador. There are no exceptions.”
Asked about extra enforcement measures for those travelling, Ball lamented why there should even be a need.
“If you’re old enough to drive, if you’re old enough to get on a ferry, if you’re old enough to get on an airplane, you’re old enough to understand the rules.”
Public data
For the first time Monday, the province posted on its website more specific data as to where cases are located.
Until now, it’s only been broken down by one of four health regions.
Haggie said the move was made to dispel complacency.
“Now our case numbers have risen over the 200 mark, I think there is a public health need to show quite clearly that this is a disease that has no respect for geography,” he said. “It’s not a townie virus, it is not a metro issue.
“The most sensible, safe way of dealing with it is to assume that the next person you come in contact with has COVID-19, and treat them and yourself accordingly.”
In response to another question, meanwhile, Haggie said he is sensitive to the stress encountered by health-care workers under the circumstances and encouraged them to take advantage of services available to them.
“There is a kind of sense of immunity sometimes in some health-care providers, and they feel it’s a sign of weakness maybe to acknowledge that. It isn’t. You’re human like everybody else. And I think people need to realize that, and you do, too.”
In other developments Monday, St-Pierre-Miquelon reported its first positive test for COVID-19, and some retail outlets will be allowed to open on Good Friday.
Peter Jackson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering health for The Telegram.
