Today (Thursday, February 10), Newfoundland and Labrador has 243 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the last update on February 9.

There are 25 people in hospital because of COVID-19, 17 in non-critical care and eight in critical care. There have been 234 new recoveries – 144 in the Eastern Health region, 32 in the Central Health region, 32 in the Western Health region and 26 in the Labrador-Grenfell region, and 17,792 people have recovered.

The breakdown of the 243 cases is as follows:

· Eastern Health region – 160
· Central Health region – 31
· Western Health region – 24
· Labrador-Grenfell Health region – 28

There are currently 1,588 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. The regional breakdown of the active cases is as follows:

· Eastern Health – 1,135
· Central Health – 167
· Labrador-Grenfell Health – 116
· Western Health – 170

A total of 1,314 tests were completed since yesterday. To date, 492,165 tests have been administered.

December 1, NUNATSIAVUT DAY HOLIDAY.

December 2, Imappivut project, MusicNL first awards, coastal community freezers, TaKuaKautik giveaway, NG wood support program, Air ambulance change requested, Makkovik Wolverine VB tournament.

December 3, Torngat Fisheries update, NL report 5 new cases, Makkovik update VB tournament, School concerts and holidays, Holiday Fire safety tips. Dec 6, MHA Evans issues she dealing with, NL
reported 7 new cases, NL COVID -19 briefing, Music NL update aw

December 7, Flummie’s Leander Baikie talks about the award, MMIGW update, Inuit Studies conference, DHSD request proposal.

December 8, Buddy and Jenny Inuktitut story, Nicklas Flowers project, Postville, Rigolet virtual Christmas events.

December 9, Nicklas Flowers story, Labrador Marine last upcoming last sail, Emergency Heat support program, Nain, Makkovik, Hopedale virtual Christmas events.

December 11, Santa to arrive by air, Inuit recognition award, Ng donate to SPCA, boys’ volleyball in Doyles.

December 14, Postville’s projects, Hopedale Christmas tree lighting, Nain Rec Christmas activities.

December 15, Nain virtual Christmas activity, Santa to arrive by Air, NG immediate release, Omicron update, TaKuaKautik giveaway.

December 16, Nain Candle light to be on radio, Youth Centre new worker.

December 17, Nunatsiavut Construction update, NL reported biggest jump 46 new cases, new measures for Schools on Island, Schools closing early.

December 19, NG seek photos, NL reported 2 new cases, Update Omicron, Canada Goose Coats.

December 20, NG president and Nain AngajukKâk Xmas greetings, 2nd Christmas greetings into Dec 22, 3rd Christmas greetings, Dec 23 Voisey’s Bay COVID update, PSA candle light service, NL report no new cases.

December 28, to air Children’s Day recorded sermon

Dec 29, worked New Years Eve recorded sermon, and New Year’s Day one

Dec 30, No briefs posted more PSA’s,

December 31, On air 1 to 3pm, PSA’s and updates on COVID.

November 24, Late Adam Lidd’s Inuktitut story, coastal store supplies, Day 2 NG Assembly sitting, Language, Culture programs, 1wst vaccine available for 5-11 year olds, NL reported 4 new cases,.

Nov 26, NG on support programs, NG called for information,

Nov 25, Hopedale updated projects, fuel prices up, Ok recorded Sunday Sermon.

Nov 26, NG reported support programs, NG called for information, Goose Bay power went down.

Nov 29, First Light updated programs, New variant hit Ottawa, Flummies received an Award, Goose Bay freight office closed, Nain, Hopedale Enhancement program was started, NL reported 9 new cases.

Nov 30, First Light updated, Language, Culture report, Arena updated leak in the building and internets down, NLHC repairs started, Nain Youth Centre gave update.

The provinces Chief Medical Health Official says overall COVID risk posed by children in the classroom is lower than in any areas.

Dr. Janice Fitzgerald was responding to questions raised by parents who say they want to be notified of a positive COVID case in their child’s classroom.

Thousands of people are already following a Facebook page designated to help notify parents of COVID cases in their school room.

Fitzgerald says while the decision is sent to child’s school is ultimately up to the parent the overall public health risk is lower than in the schoolroom.

Children are wearing masks, there is no cohorting, hand sanitizing and screening is in place to prevent children from attending class while sick says Fitzgerald all of which help to keep the risk low.

Amanda Bambary who created the Facebook information for parents – COVID cases in NL Schools says while its important for students to be school government has had plenty of time to set up reasonable virtual learning options for those who who cannot attend not just as a result of COVID but to meet the needs of students who cannot attend class for a variety of reasons including those who actually do better in a virtual learning environment.

Governor General, Mary Simon has announced she has tested positive with COVID-19 yesterday.

In a statement in the GG twitter account, Simon says she is experiencing mild symptoms but will take some time to rest in the coming days.

She says she’s been on self-isolation since her husband Whit Fraser tested positive on Tuesday.

“As Whit and I experiencing first hand we are not out of this pandemic yet, but have made tremendous progress” read a statement, “ We are both grateful for all those making a difference in our fight against the virus”.

There are concerns in the Nunatsiavut communities about rabid foxes.

Joe Dicker is the AngajukKak for the Nain Community Government.

He says that the dog catchers and conservation officers are pretty busy as they are trying to get rid of the rabid foxes that have been around town.

Dicker adds that the samples have been sent out for testing.

Click here to hear more about AngajukKak Dicker.

Ian Winters is the Conservation Officer in Hopedale.

He says there was a fox spotted on Monday, February 7th, 2022.

The fox was shot after attacking a dog in the town and the dog was sent out for rabid testing.

There was another fox sighted at the dump last night, but there was no further information.

Winters predicts that there may be more rabid cases and be sure that everyone take special care of their dogs.

November year in review 2021:

Nov 1, Torngat Secretariat fish count up Frazer Lake near Nain announced, Jobe J Flowers memorial Volleyball tournament in Hopedale, NL reported 2 new cases, school masks mandatory, Eastern Health internets down.

Nov 2, Status of Women projects reported, Elizabeth Penashue concerns of Voisey’s Bay mine site, 4 hunters to go moose harvesting.

Nov4, Mapping workshop in Nain, Nain reported fuel prices up, daylight savings that weekend ground and search inquiry updated, vaccine for 5 to 11-year-olds available.

Nov 5, Non-alcohol 21-day challenge, 4 moose hunters to go hunting, NL reported 2 new cases.

Nov 5, Mapping workshop in Nain, fuel prices down, no Labrador Combined Council to go ahead, daylight savings the weekend, ground and search inquiry updated, vaccine available for 5 to 11-year-olds.

Nov 5, SmartICE programs, Eastern Health update their internet issue, NL reported 8 new cases, province expects bills, new weather study for Nain’s airport.

Nov 8, NG announce COVID booster vaccines, 2 schools in Mary town hit with COVID, province getting air purification in classes, NG reported Aboriginal’s veterans’ day, Nain projects.

Nov 9, Update on Moose hunt, Remembrance Day update from schools, MP Jones reported disability tax benefits, Inuit housing agreement, Dr. Janice honored Family Physician of the year, Labrador Creative Arts held virtually, Remembrance Day celebrated virtually, NGC donated $54,000 to Ng, Nain interrupted no power for few hours, frozen foods arrived Nain, Hopedale, Makkovik, Postville and Rigolet, fuel prices up.

Nov 10, re-aired 2016 Remembrance Day Assembly, 25th Jobe J flowers VB Tournament, oil tanker arrives

Nov 15, Indigenous Youth Summit to held virtually, questions for COVID -19 available.

OK REMEMBERANCE DAY HOLIDAY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12.

Nov 14, Status of Women projects reported, NunatuKavut presented search and Rescue Inquiry, harvesters support program got surveyed, fuel prices down, NL reported 6 new cases.

Nov 15, TRHA update, St. John’s opened to International National travelers, employee information stolen during cyberattack, 25th Jobe J VB tournament results in, Haynes started salles till Dec, NL reported 2 new cases,

Nov 16, SmartICE update program, Internet outage questions employee vaccinations, Goose Bay still looking for missing man.

Nov 17, Nain AngajukKâk announced Husky Centre repairs, NL reported 4 new cases, Nain Tuttusiugiannik workshop, Janeway Hospital diverting patients to Halifax, Twin Flames return to Island.

Nov 18, MHA Evan talked about issues she dealing with, easing Public Health restrictions, Gander Flight training supports women, fuel prices down, NG seek moose survey observer.

Nov 19, Emma Harrison environmental researcher, St. John’s reported restaurant hit with COVID, NG to cover medical transportation Torngat Secretariat seek geese technicians, NL reported 4 new cases.

Nov 22, MHA Evans talks about issue she dealing with, Torngat Fisheries goes to meetings. Pfizer doses approved for kids 5 to 11-year-old’s, Unaan artist program out, NL reported 3 new cases.

Nov 23, LATP update, NG Assembly sitting started in Hopedale, NG announced new speaker appointed, coastal winter supply studied.

The town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay advises the public it closely monitors information related to COVID -19. As residents know as of 12:01am Monday, February 7, 2022 the entire province is under COVID-19 Modified Alert Level 3.

The town is advising residents and businesses on an appointment basis immediately the town hall remains open Monday to Friday business hours from 8am to 4pm.

The town hall reopened to residents on Monday, January 10, 2022 at 9 am with the following social distancing guidelines in place. These guidelines will remain in effect for the foreseeable future:

• The public will be permitted to pay for residential and business tax bills and permits and fees at the town hall from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday.
• Only one customer permitted at a time to ensure appropriate physical distancing.
• For all other services call 896-3321 for appointments.
• Barricades have been put in place for a straight path to the bill payment counter and door.
• A plexiglass barrier has been put in place to provide a safe while physical distance for serving residents.
• Enhanced cleaning protocols are in place. Open to public facilities subject to change.

Open to the public facilities:

• Town hall open by appointment only, recommend 896-3321 for more information between 8am and 4:30pm Monday to Friday, except for holidays
• Kinsmen Park open 9am to 9pm, Monday to Sunday
• Lake Melville Dog Park. Lawrence O’Brien Arts Centre.

Lawrence O’Brien Arts Centre
E.J Broomfield Memorial arena

Closed to the public subject to change:

• Goose bay Curling Club
• Recycling activities at CAF arena Northside MOT.

All essential services available including Water and sewer services Roads Snow clearing, Residential roadside garbage pickup, Municipal Landfill Dump, Fire and Emergency services, Municipal enforcement including animal control.

The Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay strongly recommends that residents and businesses utilize a cautious approach and exercise recommended practices to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19.

Now that the province is back to Modified Alert Level 3, Smart Ice is focusing on operations for now.

Rex Holwell Jr is the Northern Production lead.

He says that they started operations last week.

They were planning to go out today but they may have to wait until tomorrow or Friday, February 11th, depending on how their schedules work.

Smart Ice also held a meeting yesterday, they decided to postpone the Operator training program and Youth training program to next year for everybody’s benefit.

Holwell says he still need to travel to Rigolet, Makkovik, Postville and Nunavut to train the operators.

He also moved the SmartBuoy about 150 meters away from the ship’s track closer to the shore towards Nain so be mindful when travelling from Nain to Natuashish.

Health authorities are working through Omicron backlog.

Things are slowly returning to normal as health care authorities start to work through the backlog in surgeries and procedures postponed during the recent Omicron outbreak.

Health care professionals shifted priorities during the outbreak to lend a hand in vaccinations clinics while ORS slowed down during the holiday periods and the weeks thereafter.

Health Minister John Haggie says emergency surgeries and cancer treatments and other emergencies went ahead as usual throughout the outbreak with a minor setback due the cyber attack last fall.

In the meantime, Haggie says the health authorities are working their way through the Omicron backlog.

He says while there are some variations from the health authorities, the one major pressure point is endoscopies, have not yet returned to the pre=outbreak operations. Haggie been told, Eastern Health will have worked through backlog of procedures in the next two to three months.