Today, Monday, February 7, Newfoundland and Labrador has 166 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the last social media update on February 6.

There are 22 people in hospital because of COVID-19, 16 in non-critical care and six in critical care. There have been 197 new recoveries – 158 in the Eastern Health region, 1 in the Central Health region, 30 in the Western Health region and eight in the Labrador-Grenfell region, and 17,156 people have recovered.

The breakdown of the 166 cases is as follows:

· Eastern Health region – 89
· Central Health region – 35
· Western Health region – 16
· Labrador-Grenfell Health region – 26

There are currently 1,525 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. The regional breakdown of the active cases is as follows:

· Eastern Health – 1,003
· Central Health – 226
· Labrador-Grenfell Health – 117
· Western Health – 179

A total of 965 tests were completed since yesterday. To date, 488,967 tests have been administered.

Groundhog Day is a popular tradition observed in Canada on February 2nd.

According to tradition, if a groundhog comes out of its hole on this day and sees its shadow, it gets scared and runs back into its burrow, predicting six more weeks of winter weather; no shadow means an early spring.

Groundhog Day was last week, February 2nd, 2022.

Shubenacadie Sam, was the first to make his prediction, hesitantly emerging from his pint-sized barn and apparently failing to see his shadow.

Did the groundhog see its shadow 2022 Canada?

According to majority of Canadian groundhog forecasters, the famous groundhog did not make an appearance, but predicted an early spring. Shubenacadie Sam emerged from her burrow and saw her shadow Wednesday morning, predicting six more weeks of winter.

Here’s a list of the Olympics Medal list from yesterday:

Sweden – 3 bronze, Russian Olympic Committee- 2 bronze, 3 silver, 2 gold, Netherlands – 2 bronze, 2 silver , 2 gold, China- 2 bronze , 2 silver, Germany 2 bronze, 1 silver, Norway 2 bronze, 2 gold, Slovenia 2 bronze ,2 gold, , Italy, 1 bronze, 2 silver, 1 gold, Canada – 1 bronze, 1 silver, 4 gold, , Japan 1 bronze, 1 silver, 2 gold, , Australia – 1 bronze, 1 silver, Switzerland – 1 bronze, New Zealand – 1 bronze, France – 3 silver, United States – 3 silver, Austria -2 silver, 2 gold, Hungary – 2 gold, Finland – 1 gold, Poland 1 gold.

We hope to get more listings of the medals tomorrow, Lets Go Canada!

Sunday, February 6 marks the 70th Anniversary of the ascension of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, making her the first Britain monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee.

Throughout the year, a number of activities will take place across the country to mark the milestone.

This began with the raising of the Queens Platinum Jubilee flag this morning at Confederation Building.

Premier Andrew Furey congratulated the Queen saying the historic milestone exemplifies, “ the true meaning of service to Canadians, with steadfast purpose and dedication.”

There are some recreation activities to resume in St. John’s.

The province has moved to a modified Alert Level 3, meaning some of the recreation activities imposed when the Omicron outbreak hit are starting to loosen.

The city of St. John’s says starting today, amateur sport and recreation activities can resume but for team practices and training only. Competition and training is not allowed.

Racquetball at the Mews Centre resumes today, and Birthday Party rentals are also able to go ahead with a limit of 20 people.

The city says all other registered programs will begin Sunday, Feb 13, including adult, senior, child and youth programming.

Under the Health protocols, swim instructors and lifeguards must maintain 6 feet of physical distance from participants except, of course in emergencies.

MHA Lela Evans, the Independent member for Torngat Mountains says to get an accurate count but she believes about 170 workers are in isolation all five communities on the coast have people work at the minesite.

She says people on the north coast communities are stressed of COVID-19 at Vale minesite and the MHA for the area is blaming Government secrecy.

MHA Evans says the Nunatsiavut Government and Innu Nation are presented with case information, but overall totals are difficult to come by. That makes it tough on people who live in her district.

Her issue is with government not Vale.

She tried unsuccessfully to get answers from the provincial government. While COVID is harmful, she believes the secrecy is more harmful.

The Labrador Aboriginal training partnership are still waiting on fundings at this time.

Keith Jacque is the Executive Director with the LATP.

He says he is still waiting on funding from the Federal Government.

The underground mining training programs are still on hold but, are still accepting applications.

Click here to hear more LATP programs with Jacque.

Today, Friday, February 4, Newfoundland and Labrador has 258 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the last update on February 3. Anyone who has tested positive must follow guidelines. Cases are advised to notify contacts as per instructions on the website.

There are 20 people in hospital because of COVID-19, 12 in non-critical care and eight in critical care. There have been 229 new recoveries – 119 in the Eastern Health region, 41 in the Central Health region, 49 in the Western Health region and 20 in the Labrador-Grenfell region, and 16,437 people have recovered.

The breakdown of the 258 cases are as follows:

· Eastern Health region – 168
· Central Health region – 43
· Western Health region – 28
· Labrador-Grenfell Health region – 19

There are currently 1,746 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. The regional breakdown of the active cases are as follows:

· Eastern Health – 1,240
· Central Health – 192
· Labrador-Grenfell Health – 89
· Western Health – 225

A total of 1,416 tests were completed since yesterday, and to date, 486,437 tests have been administered.

Here is the year-end review for September 2021:

September 1, NG met with decision TRHA made, Torngat Secretariat sets calendar contest, Archelogy presented in Hopedale, Kindergarten’s Parents allowed in first day school.

September 2, NGC busy summer projects, Nain Huskey Centre under repairs, NG announced Presidential candidates Johannes Lampe and Andrea Webb with a debate to follow, NG 23 Moose licences available, 4 candidates for NunatuKavut President election, NL reported no new cases, Steps set up for students if they get sick.

September 10, World suicide walk in Nain, Restrictions eased for Personal Care workers.

September 11, Violence Prevention sets new program, NCG cease operating Rigolet gas station, Postville set date for Take Back the Night.

September 15, calls for 811 changed, Pauktuutit called Prime minister.

September 16, Nain, Rigolet and Makkovik set up dates for Take Back the Night.

September 18, Illusuak reopened Take out service, VOCM received an award.

September 22, St. Johns started Temperature Checks, NL monitored Hurricane Teddy, NG seek qualified boat builders.

September 24, Nain freezer received a huge amount of frozen meats from the Island.

September 25, Supreme Courts favored NG on Voisey’s Bay Royalties, A 3.75 earthquake magnitude shook 138 km east of Nutâk, NL reported one new case, CERB announced the end of benefits with EI.

The Nunatsiavut Government has a COVID-19 Heat Subsidy Program for beneficiaries along the coast.

Sophie Ikkusek is the COVID-19 Heat Subsidy Program Coordinator for the Nunatsiavut Government.

She says it’s been a challenging time purchasing wood in the following communities of Hopedale, Postville and Rigolet, and says that they have not been successful in purchasing any wood in the community of Postville.

If any beneficiaries has any wood to sell Nunatsiavut Government, please contact Sophie Ikkusek at the Nain administrating building in Nain at 922-2942 or your local Conservation officers.

This is a message for all five Inuit communities.