ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — As the number of known COVID-19 cases in the province more than doubled since Sunday, the premier of Newfoundland and Labrador has sounded a dire warning to those not following public-health directives.
The is not a cautious, yellow light, Dwight Ball told reporters during a news briefing in St. John’s.
“This is a bright, red light,” he said.
There are now 24 cases of COVID-19 in the province. One is in the Central Health region and was a contact of the only other case in that region. The other 14 new cases are in the Eastern Health region.
We have 15 new presumptive cases of COVID-19 in Newfoundland and Labrador. We are at a critical point. It baffles me the...
Posted by Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador on Monday, March 23, 2020
Of all the cases, four have been confirmed through the national laboratory. The rest are presumptive.
Over the weekend, Caul’s Funeral Home in St. John’s announced that a COVID-19-positive person had attended the home last week. Later on Monday, Canada Post announced that one of its employees had tested positive and the office on Kenmount Road was closed as a precaution.
But health officials insisted on relaying no further information, saying it could cause unnecessary panic in some cases and a false sense of security in others.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Janice Fitzgerald said authorities are tracing all contacts, and that eight of the new Eastern Health cases were detected because of that.
"We have never experienced a situation like this,” she said at the media briefing, at which reporters' questions were taken by conference call. “While the cases in our province to date are mild and the people have been recuperating at home, the impact that COVID-19 is having around the globe is devastating.
“We must act together. The time is now.”
Violators will be prosecuted
The premier implied Monday the province may already be acting on reports of violations of health orders, which now include self-quarantine for anyone returning from travel, domestic or international, and a limit of 10 people at any gathering, including weddings and funerals.
“It is fair to say that some of you will be receiving a call from law enforcement,” Ball said.
“It still baffles me that we are still hearing stories of people who are getting off planes and not going straight home,” he said, adding that some have apparently stopped at coffee shops and grocery stores.
“This is wrong,” he said. “If you are doing this, you’re being completely irresponsible and putting people’s lives at risk, and putting your own life at risk.
“There are little ones around you. There are teenagers around you. They look up to you and follow in your footsteps.”
“It is fair to say that some of you will be receiving a call from law enforcement." — Premier Dwight Ball
Ball added that as of Monday, health officials will be stationed at Goose Bay and St. John’s airports, as well as the ferry terminal in Port aux Basques, to ensure all passengers are aware of their obligations.
A form for the public to report possible violations can be found online at nl.gov.ca/covid-19.
Reliable sources
Meanwhile, Health Minister John Haggie had some advice for those seeking advice: don’t rely on social media.
Instead, check out federal and provincial websites.
Please use our online self-assessment tool to help determine if you should be tested for #COVID19 https://t.co/gqIH8mKDh2 #GovNL #covid19nfld pic.twitter.com/OzU69hk3RS
— Government of NL (@GovNL) March 24, 2020
“For heaven’s sake, please look at (government sites) rather than Facebook or Twitter or TikTok, because I cannot guarantee the validity of any of those.”
Haggie also advised against calling the provincial health line, 811, to ask spurious questions.
“You will not get a sick note through 811,” he said. “You cannot get a sick note through 811. And if you’re a government employee, you don’t need a sick note for a respiratory illness for 14 days.”
Peter Jackson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering health care for The Telegram.
