The Progressive Party is raising concerns about the transparency following yesterdays update on the cyber attack that struck the health care last fall.

Diamond said they were first notified on February 25. That’s causing concerns from interim, David Brazil.

He says government sat on the information over a month, and they haven’t done anything to assure people that safeguards have been put in place to to make sure that it does not happen again.

Brazil said that they are not asking for every detail as they understand some things need to be kept quiet. However, they want to know how the situation will affect people and preventive measures have been out in place.

Regarding the length of time which it took government to disclose the information, Dimond said is indicative of how the complex situation and how difficult it is to work through data bases of such magnitude.

Health Minister John Haggie said there may be some information that never be revealed.

He said there are some several information ongoing, including by the privacy commissioner, all will release public results in due time. However, he said that for security reasons, that there is some information that won’t be released.

Changes are being made to the way in which people test for COVID-19.

In a letter sent to schools in the K-grade 12, the Department of Health and Community Services is recommended two changes to the swabs throat to the testing protocols. Instead of just swabbing the inside of your nose, people are now being asked to swab their throat, cheeks, and nose.

The department says that rapid tests can reliably detect infectious cases of the Omicron using a combined oral-nasal sample because the virus the viral peaks first in the throat, cheeks and then the nose.

The department also says that people do not need to test for COVID-19 if they recently tested positive for the virus.

More rapid tests have been sent out to families through students in K- Grade 12 system over the last day or two. Families are being encouraged to share extra tests with others who require testing.

On behalf of the Nunatsiavut Elections Officer (NEO), the Nunatsiavut Government wishes to advise that there is another candidate declared to run as Ordinary Member for the Constituency of Hopedale in the Nunatsiavut Assembly.

Terry Vincent field his papers prior to the close nominations at 2 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time on March 26. However, a miscommunication between the returning officer in the community and the NEO resulted in Mr. Vincent not being listed as a candidate for the May 3 general election.

Following an internal investigation, the NEO has determined that Mr. Vincent’s nomination papers are in order, and that he can run as a candidate. He will run against James Abia Tuttauk to represent Hopedale in the Nunatsiavut Assembly.

Below is a list of all confirmed candidates, by constituency, running in the May 3 election:

Nain- Tony W. Andersen, Roxanne Barbour, Tracy Denniston, Jim Lyall.
Hopedale- James Abia Tuttuak, Terry Vincent
Makkovik- Thomas Evans, Kate Mitchell
Postville- No candidates declared; by-election to be held at a later date.
Rigolet- Kevin Pottle, Melva Williams
Upper Lake Melville- Wilson “Wally” Andersen, Gerald Asivak, Max Blake, Marlene Winters Wheeler
Canada- Darlene Gear-White, Susan Sonya Onalik, Bryan Winters, Zippie Nochasak, Roland Saunders

There was a funding announcement made last week to bring high-speed Internet to more than 1,000 households in Labrador.

Tony Andersen is the Ordinary Member for the Nunatsiavut Government.

Funding will be allocated to the Nunatsiavut Government for a project benefiting the communities of Rigolet, Postville, Makkovik, Nain, Hopedale and Natuashish. The network will be built and operated by Bell Canada.

Click here when Minister Andersen gives you more information on high-speed internet for Nunatsiavut and Natuashish.

An update was provided on the cyber attack that left the provincial healthcare system crippled for a time.

The cyberattack first started in October, but due to the nature of the situation the province has been very quiet on details, giving no insight as to who was behind the attack or why the province was targeted.

It was revealed however that, the personal information of thousands was compromised in the attack. After the meeting a total of 200,000 files were taken from an Eastern Health System.

Minister of Health John Haggie says thousands of staff and employees could be affected and they will investigate more in the upcoming 6-8 weeks.

Health Minister, John Haggie and Eastern Health CEO Dave Diamond will provide that update this morning at 10:30.

Food First NL is opening up another round of funding through our Community Food Program Support Fund, thanks to a $250,000 contribution from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Community food programs on the Island of Newfoundland can apply for grants of up to $4000 and programs in Labrador can apply for up to $8000. Grants can be used for a wide range of costs including supplies, labour, and hunter’s support. Non-profits, charities, municipalities, and Indigenous governments and organizations can all apply, and informal groups can apply with a partner from one of these categories.

This is a quick turnaround fund with a brief and basic application. Applications are due on Thursday, April 14th by 5 pm Newfoundland Time. We anticipate being able to fund more than 35 programs.

The town of Makkovik has closed some of its facilities due to COVID-19.

Barry Andersen is the Manager of the Town.

He says what he knows so far is the Nunatsiavut Government Office, the Arena, Town Hall and recreation activities have been closed.

He says he is not sure about the Makkovik Inuit Community Office if that is closed.

Andersen those facilities were closed yesterday, Tuesday, March 29 and will wait to see how things are on Monday, April 4th.

On behalf of the Nunatsiavut Elections Officer, the Nunatsiavut Government wishes to advise that the following will be seeking elections as Ordinary Members to the Nunatsiavut Assembly. The election will take place on May 3.

Here is the list of candidates from each of the constituencies:

Nain: Tony Andersen, Roxanne Barbour, Tracy Denniston, and Jim Lyall.
Hopedale: James Abia Tuttauk (Acclaimed)
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, Gerald Asivak, Max Blake, and Marlene Winters Wheeler
Canada: Darlene Gear-White, Zippie Nochasak, Susan Sonya Onalik, Roland Saunders, and Bryan Winters

For more information, you can contact Nanette Blake, Nunatsiavut Election Officer at 709-896-5222, or by email at nanette.blake@nunatsiavut.com.

Public health is reporting seven more deaths and 40 people in hospital as the result of COVID-19. Eleven of the 40 people in hospital are in critical care.

Twenty-one hospitalizations are in the Eastern Health region, with ten in the Western Health region, seven in the Central Health region, and two in the Labrador Grenfell-Health region.

There are 570 new confirmed cases being reported today, and another 350 reported yesterday.

The Moravian Churches are preparing Easter in their communities.

Gordon Obed is the translator for Nunatsiavut Government.

He says for the first time since a few years back, the Nain Moravian Church will hold it’s Wednesday night service at 7pm.

Obed is wishing residents hear the interview and attend the Nangivik service this evening, the Friday’s service will also take place at 7pm now until Holy Week begins.

Click here to hear Obed talk about what he remembers while growing up in Nain on preparing Easter and to now.