Premier Andrew Furey and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald issued pleas for patience and kindness Wednesday as concerns about public-health restrictions continue to bubble to the surface almost eight months into the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Even with our public-health measures and travel restrictions, we knew that we would start to see new cases because of the situation across Canada, and it remains incredibly important to stay vigilant given the epidemiology in the rest of the country and the risk that it poses,” Fitzgerald told reporters at the weekly video briefing.
With schools and businesses back in action, she said many people still feel anxious about the steady trickle of travel-related cases that are occurring, especially with respect to rotational workers.
“We need people to feel safe to come forward for testing if they begin to experience symptoms,” Fitzgerald said. ”If they do not feel safe, they may not come forward for testing. If they feel they will be stigmatized or their privacy jeopardized, they may not come forward for testing. We need the public to work with us in order to protect the health of the public.”
In one case that came to The Telegram’s attention, members in a community are anxious that a worker who tested positive with mild symptoms will be allowed out in public 10 days after the onset of symptoms without a second test.
“Initially, back in the beginning, we were asking that people have negative tests to confirm recovery from COVID,” Fitzgerald explained, “but we haven’t been doing that for quite some time now, and neither has anybody, really, across the country.”
As for a pilot program that allowed rotational workers to leave quarantine after seven days with a negative test, Fitzgerald said officials are still evaluating the data. In the interim, the new rules will remain in effect.
Christmas angst
Fitzgerald said recommendations are still being formulated for the Christmas season, but there’s little indication there will be an easing of the existing travel ban that allows only essential visits.
“We’re looking at parties and New Year’s and fireworks and all those things that happen over the Christmas season” she said. “In the coming weeks, we will have that information.”
The premier emphasized that everyone is in the same boat.
“You want to know if things can change here, if your loved ones can come home for Christmas and what the future may look like,” he said. “You want certainty. So do I. I feel that anxiety. My family feels it. All of us here at the table feel it. The truth is, Christmas is going to look a little different this year no matter what happens.”
Furey also highlighted that there is help for anyone struggling with restrictions.
“Please do not hesitate to reach out. You’re not alone. Life with COVID-19 is hard,” he said. "We must all do what we can to safely support each other, as many of you have been doing for so long.”
Get your shot
Health Minister Dr. John Haggie and the others made sure to make a pitch for flu shots, which were kicked off Wednesday in community clinics across the province.
The province is hoping to more than double the uptake this year to 85 per cent.
Haggie said officials will pay close attention to the success rate for another reason.
“One of the educational things from our point of view would be to see how this new approach to our flu vaccine program can inform a COVID-19 vaccination program for when that vaccine should become available.”
Peter Jackson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering health for The Telegram
