As you may know that MHA Lela Evans been very busy with what’s been going on in Labrador.

She has been working with the Inuit Community Governments/AngajukKat along the coast to ensure the safety of our people.

Evans talks about the rabies outbreak in both communities of Nain and Hopedale.

She also adds that she would like to have the trail markers improved by spring and fall.

It’s been a successful outcome for the Voisey’s Bay COVID numbers.

Trent Pottle and Sheila Freak have given the information on how many COVID cases there are in Voisey’s Bay.

Click here to hear more about MHA Lela Evans.

Today, Tuesday, February 15, 2022, there are 14 people in hospital because of COVID-19, eight in non-critical care and six in critical care. There have been 225 new recoveries – 102 in the Eastern Health region, 71 in the Central Health region, 21 in the Western Health region and 31 in the Labrador-Grenfell region, and 18,809 people have recovered.

Newfoundland and Labrador has 213 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the last update on February 14. Anyone who has tested positive must follow guidelines. Cases are advised to notify contacts as per instructions on the website.

The breakdown of the 213 cases are as follows:
· Eastern Health region – 162
· Central Health region – 17
· Western Health region – 18
· Labrador-Grenfell Health region – 16

There are currently 1,698 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. The regional breakdown of the active cases are as follows:
· Eastern Health – 1,234
· Central Health – 156
· Labrador-Grenfell Health – 110
· Western Health – 198

A total of 762 tests were completed since yesterday. To date, 497,384 tests have been administered.

Newfoundland and Labrador is reporting its fifty-seventh death from COVID-19. The individual is a female between 70-79 years of age in the Eastern Health region. The department is sending its condolences to the family of this individual and asks everyone to respect the family’s privacy at this time.

The Young Women’s Traditional Day is March 6th, 2022.

The girls had their first meeting at the Nain Illusuak Cultural Centre at 4pm yesterday.

There are 5 girls who are interested in joining for their first time.

Joan Dicker is the Illusuak Manager.

She discussed with the girls on what clothes they will need and they are; akulik or silapâk, moosehide boots, dresses, ribbons, church caps, knitted gloves, black blazer.

Dicker says the girls will have to pay a fee of $20.00 each for the food that day.

There will be more upcoming meetings for the girls who want to join.

Today, Tuesday, February 15 marks the 40th Anniversary of the Ocean Ranger Tragedy.

The Ocean Ranger sank off the provinces coast on February 15, 1982 during a winter storm killing all 84 crew onboard.

Chris Williams, who now lives in Virginia, says he was inspired to write the song, “Heroes of the Ocean Ranger” after hearing news about the upcoming 40th anniversary. He and his brother Urban wrote and produced the song together.

He says the story is about a boy’s tribute to his father who was lost in the tragedy and the effects of the tragedy on families. As well, he says the song explores the rigging company’s role, also the message that nothings safe 200 miles from shore.

Williams, just like everybody, remembers when they found out about the Ocean Ranger.

He describes the song a look of “horror” on a mother’s face and the sense of what is happening. He says we are used to the disasters at sea in the province, but that doesn’t make it any easier.

The ice conditions around the community of Nain have slowly formed over the winter.

Joey Angnatok is with Sikumiut.

He says the ice formed good; kind of late from the weather but it has formed.

Over the winter, the ice has a height of two and a half feet ever since Christmas.

Angnatok adds that the Umiak1 will be coming at the end of the month, so everyone is asked to watch out for the tracks when the ship comes.

The Nunatsiavut Government is advising that COVID-19 is still active in the community of Nain. There have been three recoveries since the last update on February 10, and there are no hospitalizations due to the virus.

There are no known cases of the virus in any other Labrador Inuit community at this time.

Public health officials continue to advise that it is likely that the virus that causes COVID-19 will continue to present itself in all Labrador Inuit communities. 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 required.

Please note that the second vaccine dose for children between five and 11 years of age is currently being rolled out in all Labrador Inuit communities. The vaccine is still available for those 12 years of age and over for first and second shots, and to those 18 years of age and over for first, second and booster shots. To make an appointment, please contact your community Public Health office.

Residents of all Labrador Inuit communities are asked to keep following all public health guidance and protocols to help prevent exposure and spread of the virus.

The Ice has formed really well around the community of Rigolet with all the cold temperatures.

Charlotte Wolfrey is the AngajukKâk for the Rigolet Inuit Community Government.

She says with the good ice formed, the have started the marked trails and grooming.

Click here to hear more from Wolfrey.

Today (Monday, February 14), Newfoundland and Labrador has 174 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the last update on February 13.

There are 23 people in hospital because of COVID-19, 15 in non-critical care and eight in critical care. There have been 149 new recoveries – 111 in the Eastern Health region, five in the Central Health region, 18 in the Western Health region and 15 in the Labrador-Grenfell region, and 18,584 people have recovered.

The breakdown of the 174 cases is as follows:

• Eastern Health region – 134
• Central Health region – 13
• Western Health region – 14
• Labrador-Grenfell Health region – 13

There are currently 1,712 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. The regional breakdown of the active cases is as follows:

• Eastern Health – 1,174
• Central Health – 214
• Labrador-Grenfell Health – 128
• Western Health – 196

A total of 907 tests were completed since yesterday. To date, 496,622 tests have been administered.

Where did Valentine’s Day originate from? The history of the holiday and a story of its patron saint, is shrouded in mystery. We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and St. Valentine Day as we know it contains vestiges of both Religion and ancient Roman Tradition. But who was St. Valentine and how did he begun associated with the ancient rite?

The Catholic Church recognizes at least 3 different saints named Valentine or Valentinus all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that one priest who served in the century in Rome. Who Emperor Claudius II that single men made better than those who with wives and families he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine realizing the justice of the decree defied Claudius and to prepare marriages for young lovers in secrets. When Valentines were discovered, Claudius ordered that he was put to death. Still others insist that it was Valentine of Terni a bishop who was a true namesake of the holiday. He too was beheaded by Claudius II outside Rome.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were of beaten and tortured. According to one legend imprisoned Valentine sent the first Valentine greeting after he fell in love with a young girl-possibly his jailors daughter – who visited him during his confinement. Before his death it was alleged that he wrote her a letter signed “from your Valentine” an expression that is used still today. Although the truth behind about the Valentine’s legend is murky all empathize his appeal sympathetic, heroic and most importantly romance figure. By the Middle Ages perhaps thanks to the reputation, Valentine would become one of the most popular in England and France.

The Opposition Education critic says he’s hearing a lot of frustration from parents on pre-school children who are confused about policies surrounding COVID exposures.

Children in daycare are required to stay home and self-isolate if they been exposed to a positive case through a non-household contact.

The Chief Medical Officer of Health has acknowledged that the situation in childcare settings is different from that in schools because the lack of physical distancing and masking.

Barry Petton says inconsistency in the policy is causing confusion for parents who are calling to express their frustrations.