Labrador Grenfell Health has disconnected it’s COVID-19 intake line.
Those who have questions about the virus are now being asked to use the new provincial number which is available from 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week at 1-833-951-3859.
Inquires can also be sent via email at covid-19info.gov.nl.ca.
Guide on COVID-19 health measures, symptoms and isolation guideline can be found online.
Nunatsiavut’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources says cuts to crab quotas in North Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) Zone 2J off the north coast of Labrador will result in devastating economic impacts throughout the region.
“Most of the crab harvested by and for Labrador Inuit is in the northern portion of NAFO Area 2J where the cut in quota amounts to about 45 per cent over last year,” notes Greg Flowers. “This is extremely difficult to absorb for our harvesters and processors and, eventually, will be devastating to our communities where the fishery is a major economic contributor.”
The Minister notes that while cuts were expected, they go far too deep, especially for those who depend on the crab fishery to sustain their livelihoods.
Meanwhile, the Nunatsiavut Government has repeatedly expressed concerns to the federal Fisheries Minister over access to additional crab and shrimp quotas adjacent to the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area, especially from entities with no legal rights or titles in the region.
“In keeping with the spirit of the Constitutionally-protected Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement, and Canada’s stated goal of reconciliation, we have requested access to all potential increases in shrimp quotas adjacent to our shores,” says Minister Flowers “Any new licenses or allowing access to these areas to others should be outright denied.”
Requests for a meeting with Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray have yet to be accepted, Minister Flowers noted.
On behalf of the Nunatsiavut Elections Officer, the Nunatsiavut Government wishes to advise that Tracy Denniston has withdrawn her name as a candidate for Ordinary Member for Nain for the May 3 general election.
Below is a list of all confirmed candidates, by constituency, running in the May 3 election:
Nain: Tony W. Andersen, Roxanne Barbour and Jim Lyall
Hopedale: James Abia Tuttauk, and Terry Vincent
Makkovik: Thomas Evans and Kate Mitchell
Postville: No candidates declared; by-election to be held at a later date.
Rigolet: Kevin Pottle, and Melva Williams
Upper Lake Melville: Wilson “Wally” Andersen, Max Blake, Gerald Asivak, and Marlene Winters Wheeler.
Canada: Darlene Gear-White, Susan Sonya Onalik, Bryan Winters, Zippie Nochasak, and Roland Saunders
For more information, you can contact Nanette Blake, Nunatsiavut Elections Officer at 709-896-5222 or by email at nanette.blake@nunatsiavut.com.
The Caribou and Muskox for north coast communities will now be delivered next week.
This is a correction made from last Friday’s news brief.
The shipment of the meat will ready on Saturday, April 9.
Joseph Townley, Fisheries Specialist, who is the lead will be back to work on Monday, April 11.
He is away with Torngat Secretariat and some youth up Kingurotik Lake.
The House of Assembly continues it’s spring sitting today after a two week break.
No doubt the hot topic will be the budget which will be brought down on Thursday, April 7.
Some of the Opposition have already come out on what they’d like to see in the document, including more to address the cost of living.
Other pressing issues the pending decision on the Bay du Nord offshore oil project and the provinces efforts to accept Ukrainian refugees.
The government has also been ordered by the Supreme Court to put fourth raises for Provincial Court Judges by Thursday, April 14.
The Inuit Community Government of Makkovik have closed most facilities around town due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak.
Barry Andersen is the AngajukKâk for the Makkovik ICG.
He says they’re trying to slow the spread of the virus by closing the facilities to protect the vulnerable people in the community.
Click here to hear more from AngajukKâk Andersen on their ICG.
Inuit Tapiriit Kanadami has created a new program to train and engage Inuit youth’s for ages 18-30.
TTK’s Youth Leadership Employment Program will run for 4 months in 2022 and again for the next two years.
It will give each cohort an introduction to policy advancement, communications and research work at ITK’s headquarters in Ottawa.
“Inuit youth may not know exactly what career the want to pursue. But Inuit society needs us to have progressive skills so that we can help build a more prosperous future for our communities and our people,” said Tracey Sarazi, Senior Director of Corporate Services with ITK.
“The Youth Leadership Employment Program is designed to help an initial cohort of six youth grow and develop as a group through a range of tasks, learning experiences and excursions. We can provide a safe environment for youths who would like to try out the different roles that we offer as an organization.”
Applicants can live anywhere in Canada. Successful candidates will be paid competitive wages. Relocation support and accommodations for the duration of the program are available. Applicants do not need to be enrolled as students to apply.
Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter by Friday, April 15, 2022. More information is available at www.itk.ca/youthleadership=employmentprogram-multi[le–positions.
The Nunatsiavut Government is advising that there is continued COVID-19 activity in all Labrador Inuit Communities.
While all provincial restrictions have been lifted, including capacity limits, masking, and proof of vaccination requirements, public health officials with the Nunatsiavut Government continue to urge residents in all communities to remain vigilant in helping to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The virus that causes COVID-19 will likely continue to present itself in all communities, and activity may or may not be documented or reported.
Individuals with symptoms, with no known exposure to the virus, should contact 811 or complete the online assessment tool on the COVID Assessment and Referral HOME – NLCHI page to determine if testing is required.
Also, as of yesterday March 31st, there are 91 confirmed active cases of COVID-19 in Voisey’s Bay. (That is 21 more cases in total since last update).
There are 75 (minus 2 since last update) close contacts in isolation. All positive cases and close contacts are in isolation.
The next update will be on Monday, April 4.
Based on emerging regarding rapid antigen self-testing COVID-19 (in the context of Omicron), we are recommending two changes to our existing protocols:
1. The swab collection site will change from a nasal swab to a throat, cheeks, and nasal swab. Rapid antigen tests can more reliably detect infectious cases of the Omicron variant using combined oral-nasal samples as viral load peaks first in the throat and then in the nose. Please follow the instructions for the new throat, cheeks, and nasal swab collection technique here. We have also updated your test instruction sheets to reflect this new method (enclosed).
2. Participation in this program is not required for individuals who have recently had a COVID-19 infection. Current evidence suggests that reinfection is unlikely in the three months following an infection with Omicron. Therefore, individuals are not required to test or self-isolate for 90 days from symptoms onset to the positive test date.
You are encouraged to share your rapid tests with others who required testing if you have extra kits available at home (for example, friends and family members)
Please do not waste rapid tests. There are a valuable and limited resource and should be used wisely and only when testing is indicated. If you are unsure of your testing requirements, please complete the online COVID-19 Assessment and Test Reporting tool at covidassessment.nlchi.nl.ca for directions.
The Labrador Friendship Center is not closing its doors to the public or the northern coast of Labrador.
Jennifer Hefler-Elson is the Executive Director of the Labrador Friendship Centre.
She say’s the Gary Broomfield Hostel is closing its doors due to COVID-19 in the community of Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
She also adds that the programs are still going ahead in the building such as the food bank and other programs that are available at the Labrador Friendship Center.
Click here to hear more from Hefler-Elson.