The Nunatsiavut Government’s Department of Health and Social Development is advising residents of the five Labrador Inuit communities to take measures to protect themselves and other from respiratory illnesses including colds, influenza, and COVID-19.
Protecting yourself and other involves taking simple, effective steps such as:
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and put the used tissue in a wastebasket. If you do not have tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Try to maintain physical distance of at least 6 feet from others when possible since respiratory droplets can spread to a person 6 feet or closer after someone with a virus coughs, sneezes or talks.
When physical distancing is not possible, wearing a homemade non-medical mask or face covering is recommended in public settings such as stores or crowded places. This can help reduce the spread of infectious respiratory droplets to others.
Germs that are on hands can enter the body through touching of the face – especially the eyes, nose and mouth.
If you experience symptoms of a cold, influenza, COVID-19 or other respiratory illnesses, stay home until you do not have a fever and symptoms have mostly gone away.
Vaccination is effective in preventing and/or lessening symptoms of respiratory illnesses such as influenza and COVID-19.
For more information, please visit the gov.nl.ca website.