The Nunatsiavut Government is advising there is currently COVID-19 activity in the communities of Nain and Postville. Contact tracing is ongoing, and all cases are isolating.

Cases identified in the community of Makkovik last week have since recovered. There are no known cases in any other Labrador Inuit community at this time.

Public health officials continue to stress that it is likely the virus that causes COVID-19 will continue to present itself in all Labrador Inuit communities, and that activity may or may not be documented or reported. Residents have to assume the virus is present and to continue to follow all public health protocols.

The Nunatsiavut Government will continue to provide updates on COVID-19 activity but will not be reporting case numbers as they may not be accurate or could identify infected individuals, especially if activity is low in any given Labrador Inuit community.

Individuals with symptoms, with no known exposure to the virus, should contact 811 or complete the online assessment tool at COVID Assessment and Referral (HOME – NLCHI) to determine if testing is required.

Today, March 8, 2022, First Minster Tyler Edmunds, has been sworn in as acting President.

In the Nunatsiavut assembly of Hopedale, Tyler Edmunds accepted the swearing in of acting president while President Johannes Lampe undergoes treatments for cancer. Until President Lampe is able to do regular duties, First Minster Tyler Edmunds will take on full responsibilities of acting President.

First Minister Edmunds says, “On behalf of the Nunatsiavut Assembly and all Beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement, I want to extend my sincere best wishes to President Lampe and his family during these difficult and trying times.”

OK Radio will be providing the audio of the swearing in once it becomes available.

The Polar Bear hunting season opened Tuesday, February 2, 2022, and there have been five polar bears harvested as of today.

Jason Dicker is the Wildlife Manager with the Nunatsiavut Government.

Dicker says that Rigolet, Postville and Makkovik still have their licenses to fill yet.

Click here to hear more about the Polar Bear licenses coming from Dicker.

Newfoundland and Labrador has 443 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today, March 7. On Sunday, March 6, there were 332 new cases and, on Saturday, March 5, there were 469 new cases.

Today, there are 25 people in hospital because of COVID-19, 20 in non-critical care and five in critical care. There have been 232 new recoveries since yesterday – 183 in the Eastern Health region, six in the Central Health region, 37 in the Western Health region and six in the Labrador-Grenfell region, and 21,704 people have recovered.

The breakdown of the 443 cases for today is as follows:
· Eastern Health region – 403
· Central Health region – 12
· Western Health region – 26
· Labrador-Grenfell Health region – 2

There are currently 3,216 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. The regional breakdown of the active cases is as follows:
· Eastern Health – 2,391
· Central Health – 400
· Labrador-Grenfell Health – 97
· Western Health – 328

Newfoundland and Labrador is reporting its sixty-seventh and sixty-eighth deaths from COVID-19. One individual is a female between 70-79 years of age in the Eastern Health region, and the second is a female between 60-69 years of age in the Central Health region. The department is sending its condolences to the families of these individuals and asks everyone to respect the families’ privacy at this time.

A total of 3,964 tests were completed since Friday. To date, 512,636 tests have been administered.

The IlliniaKatigennik show that’s scheduled for Tuesday, March 8th, 2022, has been postponed due to shortage of staff.

But the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism are looking to record Inuttitut stories, songs or memories coming from Inuktitut speakers.

Any recordings can be done in person or over the phone and it will be aired on OKâlaKatiget Society.

You will be compensated for your time.

If there is anyone willing to record, can call Robyn Martin at 709-922-2051 or email her at robyn.martin@nunatsiavut.com.

Health Authorities are easing visitor restrictions for patients and residents of long-term care and personal care homes.

Patients and residents are no longer required to identify designated visitors and support persons for visitation.

Multiple visitors are not allowed in health care facilities if they are experiencing any COVID related symptoms, or if they are self-isolating for any reason.

Masks are still mandatory in health care facilities, and visitors are encouraged to wash or sanitize their hands and maintain physical distancing.

The Tourism for Nunatsiavut has been named as the Interim Chair of NLTourism Association following the departure of former Chair, Tara Saunders.

Jillian Larkin took the interim role last weekend.

Larkin who served a Vice – Chair of the NLITA, will the work of the group in preserving and promoting Indigenous Culture, knowledge and places in the province with the support of community-led grassroots tourism.

There are 16 (minus 3 since last update) confirmed active cases of COVID-19 in Voisey’s Bay. There are 13 (minus 17 since last update) close contacts in isolation.

All positive cases and close contacts are in isolation.

(Please note that these numbers for site employees are accurate and are submitted to provincial public health.)

The next update will be on Thursday, March 10.

The Nunatsiavut Government is advising that a small cluster of COVID-19 cases has been identified in the community of Postville. All cases have mild symptoms and are isolating. Contacts have been identified and are being followed up by Public Health.

There is also low COVID-19 activity in the community of Makkovik. There are no known cases in any other Labrador Inuit community at this time.

Public Health officials continue to stress that it is likely the virus that causes COVID-19 will continue to present itself in all Labrador Inuit communities, and that activity may or may not be documented or reported. Residents have to assume the virus is present and to continue to follow all public health protocols.

The Nunatsiavut Government will continue to provide updates on COVID-19 activity, but will not be reporting case numbers as they may not be accurate or could identify infected individuals, especially if activity is low in any given Labrador Inuit community.

Individuals with symptoms. With no known exposure to the virus, should contact 811 or complete the online assessment tool at COVID Assessment and Referral (HOME – NLCHI) to determine if testing is required.

Torngat Fish Producers Cooperative is planning to hold their meetings for the new year.

Keith Watts is the General Manager for Torngat Fisheries.

He says their also making plans for the Annual General Meeting.

Watts says they have a few fish products left for people to buy at the office.

Click here to hear Watts give you more information.