Rotational workers in Newfoundland and Labrador who work in other parts of Canada have lost a privilege they fought hard for last year as a result of the current outbreak of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 in the province.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald announced Saturday she is suspending the ability of workers to leave self-quarantine after seven days if they get a negative test.
All rotational workers, domestic and international, must now isolate for 14 days.
"It's unfortunate,” Fitzgerald told reporters in a rare weekend briefing. “We hope we don't have to keep it in place for long."
The province saw 26 new confirmed cases on Saturday. It’s the second day in a row the count has dropped after a peak of 100 cases on Thursday, but Fitzgerald said it is still folly to read anything into the drop.
The entire province went into Alert Level 5 Friday night, meaning all non-essential businesses have to remain closed to in-person clients.
Long-term care
Fitzgerald said that while youth have been the most prominent age group infected as a result of the outbreak so far, she’s especially worried about the senior population.
As a result, she’s strengthened measures at long-term and personal care homes in the province.
All such facilities must suspend group and outside activities. Visitation is limited to one essential visitor per resident, in other words, someone who is considered by the resident’s care team to be paramount to the resident’s physical care and mental well-being.
New residents must undergo testing and screening before entering.
And staff can only be shared between facilities in urgent situations where direct care would otherwise be jeopardized.
Some other announced measures:
• All private clinics must close immediately with the exception of physician and nurse practitioner clinics. Closed clinics can offer emergent care.
• Wakes and visitations are prohibited. Funerals, weddings and religious ceremonies are limited to no more than five people.
Isolation advice
As thousands of people remain in isolation or self-quarantine, Fitzgerald clarified the rules in such cases.
Anyone required to self-isolate must stay on their own properties. No walks or drives are allowed except for emergency reasons.
If you have tested positive for COVID-19, the whole household must self-isolate.
If you're an essential worker, a positive family member should not even be in the same house.
Fitzgerald said those who are having trouble finding accommodation for quarantine can always call the Red Cross at 1-800-863-6582.
Be kind
Meanwhile, Health Minister John Haggie said he’s heard reports of some unpleasant comments being made to staff at drive-through testing sites.
“The only thing that should be spread is kindness,” he said.
People who require testing — including anyone who experiences even one of the flu-like symptoms associated with COVID-19 — is asked to use the online assessment tool to arrange one if at all possible.
Haggie admitted there is a considerable backlog on the 811 healthline, and that some callbacks are taking up to three days.
Premier Andrew Furey said he and Fitzgerald have been in touch with their federal counterparts and discussions have been happening as to what kind of supports may be needed as the crisis continues.
He also said he spoke with Indigenous leaders Saturday morning to hear their concerns and to work through any issues that may arise.
Peter Jackson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering health for The Telegram.
