ST. JON'S, N.L. — It was Health Minister John Haggie’s turn to play bad cop Tuesday as the number of COVID-19 cases in Newfoundland and Labrador rose to a total of 35.
The 11 new presumptive positive cases were all in the Eastern Health region, and related either to travel or contact with existing cases.
Haggie said a video was circulated widely on Facebook Monday showing passengers descending the stairs at a local airport with no health official there to greet them.
“What nobody knew was that that flight was a domestic flight. It originated within the province,” he said. “There was no one on that flight from outside this province who had not self-quarantined.”
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Visibly angry, Haggie said it was difficult to express the video's demoralizing and demeaning effect on officials who were intercepting out-of-province passengers all day with instructions to immediately self-quarantine.
"I cannot fathom why anyone in their right mind would do this. It is simply malicious and unforgivable,” he said. “This is not who we are. So please listen, and please think, that what sounds like a good joke after you’ve had a couple of drinks on a plane is not a good idea for the health and well-being of the people of the province.”
Meanwhile, chief medical officer Dr. Janice Fitzgerald said 1,131 people have now been tested in the province. Of the 35 positive results, four have been confirmed through the national laboratory in Winnipeg, she said.
As the number of cases rises, Fitzgerald said, new business closures are needed.
As of today, all private health clinics other than physician and nurse practitioner clinics, must shut their doors to clients. That includes optometrists, dentists, physiotherapists, dieticians, chiropractors, psychologists, registered massage therapists, osteopaths, central hygienists, acupuncturists and audiologists.
“If you can provide virtual care, please do so,” she advised.
While essential retail places can stay open, Fitzgerald said it’s especially advisable that more vulnerable people avoid going out if it can be helped.
“If you are over 60 or have underlying medical conditions, consider arranging with a friend or family member to get your groceries or medication.”
Possible charges
Haggie said an online form set up to garner information on possible violations of public-health orders has garnered 356 complaints so far.
Of those, 128 were deemed groundless, but several others are still under investigation.
Haggie said he met with health officials Tuesday about what parameters procedures need to be in place for police officers should they have to handle such a case. He will pass that information on to the RNC and RCMP leadership today.
Premier Dwight Ball, meanwhile, echoed warnings he’s been giving daily.
“If you do not follow those guidelines,” he said Tuesday, “you have to know you’re threatening the lives of loved ones, and your own life.”
For more information:
Mental health support: bridgethegapp.ca
Canadian Red Cross self-isolation support line: 1-800-763-6582
COVID-19 information: gov.nl.ca/covid-19
Self-assessment tool: 811healthline.ca
Mental Health Crisis Line (24 hour): 1-888-737-4668
Community funding
Ball announced $120 million in funding for community organizations around the province to help them continue services they provide.
He later admitted the money was part of annual funding that will be announced in the next budget.
“This is the normal annual funding ” he said.
“We just wanted to issue some reassurance today.”
Liquor essential
Asked whether liquor stores — which are now only taking pickup orders by phone or email — would ever close, Haggie said no.
Ironically, the reason is essentially that alcohol dependence would precipitate a bigger problem.
“We don’t know with any great detail the true prevalence of alcohol habituation or use in the community on an individual basis,” he said.
Closing outlets could cause more harm than good, he said.
“The balance at the moment is in favour of keeping the liquor stores open rather than shutting them down completely.”
As for being prepared for COVID-related hospitalizations, Haggie said cancelling elective surgeries has already freed up resources should there be a surge.
As of Tuesday, acute care beds were being used at 62 per cent capacity, ICU beds at 65 per cent capacity and ventilators at 13 per cent capacity.
There are 156 ventilators across the province, with more on the way.
Peter Jackson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering health care for The Telegram
