Yesterday, February 3, 2022 the Nunatsiavut Government wishes to report that there are currently no known active cases of COVID-19 in any of the five Labrador Inuit communities. All of the known cases of the virus have recovered.

Please note that the second vaccine dose for children between five and 11 years of age are 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 those 18 years of age and over for first, second and booster shots. To make an appointment, please contact your community Public Health office.

Public health officials continue to advise that it is likely that the virus that causes COVID-19 will eventually be present in all 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 (nlchi.nl.ca) to determine if testing is required.

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 Postville Inuit Community Government has been very busy with their projects lately.

Glenn Sheppard is the AngajukKâk for the Postville ICG.

He says as of November the 18th, 2021, they received a certificate of performance from Nunatsiavut Construction Incorporated, and says they are proud owners of the Interpretation Centre the Postville Inuit Community Government.

Sheppard also says that they’ve had pretty major staff challenges at their office this summer and early fall but is proud to say that all office positions with the Inuit Community Government have been filled.

Click here to find out more from AngajukKâk Sheppard.

Today, Thursday, February 3, Newfoundland and Labrador has 198 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the last update on February 2. 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, 13 in non-critical care and seven in critical care. There have been 372 new recoveries – 279 in the Eastern Health region, 51 in the Central Health region, 21 in the Western Health region and 21 in the Labrador-Grenfell Health region, and 16,208 people have recovered.

The breakdown of the 198 cases is as follows:

• Eastern Health region – 108
• Central Health region – 42
• Western Health region – 41
• Labrador-Grenfell Health region – 7

There are currently 1,720 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. The regional breakdown of the active cases is as follows:

• Eastern Health – 1,189
• Central Health – 192
• Labrador-Grenfell Health – 91
• Western Health – 248

A total of 1,235 tests were completed since yesterday. To date, 485,021 tests have been administered.

Aug 1, Issues MHA Evans dealing with, Family Resource got Kids Kits, Province re-opening plans, Masks were mandated, NL reported 3 new cases, OK Radio ad.

Aug 2, Re-aired Flummies Leander Baikie, Hopedale Rhubarb Festival announced, TRHA update, 250th Nain Moravian Church Anniversary.

Aug 3, Delilah Saunders started a new program, ITK announced upcoming President Election, 17th Hopedale Rhubarb Festival planned, NL re-scheduled COVID briefing, NL reported reported C.T. host Informal Language convention.

Aug 4, Adam Lidd’s Inuktitut story, ITK announced upcoming President election, 17th Hopedale Rhubarb Festival planned, Province re-scheduled COVID briefing, C.T hosted Informal Language convention, NL reported 1 new case.

Aug 5, Part 2 MHA Evans issues she dealing with, CYN and Mr. Volleyball Tournament date set, First Inuktitut Language meeting held, frozen mangoes were recalled, Fuel increase.

Aug 6, Results of Hopedale Bike rodeo announced, Jessica Winters new program, Jupiter House was named, masks briefing was updated.

Aug 9, English River Fish Count update, Nain Youth Centre partnered with Hopedale Lodge, Torngat Fisheries program, Wear masks in court, Nain fishery.

Aug 10, Status of Women projects, 15th George Lane Dart Tournament Hopedale,.

Aug 11, Guidelines for EI came out.

Aug 12, Masks were mandatory. Transport Canada allowed pleasure boats to travel, NLESD operation plans for school.

Aug 18, Nain Jewelry studio re-opened, and Innu Nation got a new Chief, Etienne Rich of Natuashish.

Aug 19,New NL 15th Premier Andrew Fury sworn in.

Aug 20, NL increase limits of 100 in gatherings.

Aug 21, MHA Evans update hydro bills petition, TRHA turned over home owners free of charge, Nain and Makkovik busy season, NL to hire 70 substitutes.

Aug 24, New tenants moved in Nain 7 Plex, NL new rules out for bus drivers.

Aug 27, NG disappointed in TRHA decision was not notified.

Aug 28, Goose Bay makes cloth masks for Nain, New Dairy Queen opened in Goose Bay.

Aug 31, LATP set up dates for training.

Tax season is upon us.

COVID-19 support for taxes for 2021 tax year, including home office expenses and the temporary rate with the maximum deduction rising to $5000, as well as Canada’s Workers’ Benefits.

As the calendar flips over to February, people are preparing for March first RRSP contribution deadline.

National Tax Specialist with Ufile Gerry Vetrattos says the benefits of RRSP is that your getting a tax deduction based on the amount on your contribution.

He says if you make $50,000 and contributes $5,000 you are only getting taxed on $45,000 which is a big benefit as your reducing your tax on your contribution.

Province reports 7 cases of Myocarditis following vaccination.

Myocarditis have been recorded following vaccinations in the province.

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle and can result in chest pain, shortness of breath and an irregular heartbeat.

The Department and Health and Community Services says the incidents were reported through adverse event following immunization reporting process.

Such reports are completed when an adverse event occurs and no other link can be established.

The department stresses that such a report does not indicate causality with the vaccine.

Currently over 93 % of the eligible population over the age of 12 fully vaccinated, while nearly 17 % of the eligible population between 5-11 are fully vaccinated.

Seven incidents of Myocarditis have been reported through adverse event following immunization (AEF) reporting process (AEFI) reports are completed when an event occurs in an individual where no other link can be established. It is important to note that (AEFI) does not indicate causality.

The Nunatsiavut Education and Economic Development is happy to announce the new COVID-19 Micro-Business and Artist Relief Program.

This initiative is aimed at supporting our Labrador Inuit Micro-Businesses and Professional Artists impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This one-time program opportunity is application based, and successful applicants may be eligible for a non-repayable application-based contribution of either $2,500 or $5,000 for micro-businesses and either $500 or $2,000 for professional artists.

If you are interested in applying, please contact Mary Binky Andersen, Business Development Officer, by e-mailing mary.tamma@nunatsiavut.com or calling 709-922-2942 ext. 250 during regular hours from 8:30am to 4:30pm.

It’s being described as another step forward in living with COVID-19.

The province is moving to a modified Alert Level 3 on Monday, while fully-vaccinated travellers will no longer have to isolate on arrival in Newfoundland and Labrador as of 12:01 Saturday morning, although they will be required to continue taking rapid tests for the first five days after landing.

The modified Alert Level 3 will allow restaurants, gyms, and fitness clubs to operate with up to 50 per cent capacity. Bars can open with up to 50 per cent capacity but dance floors will not reopen and patrons and staff will have to wear masks except when eating or drinking while seated.

Cinemas, and bingo halls will also be able to reopen with 50 per cent capacity and mandatory masks, and while arts, recreation and sporting activities can resume, there will be no competition between different teams.

Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says further changes could be announced in another two weeks.

Click here to hear the NL Briefing from this morning on CBC.

Today (Wednesday, February 2), Newfoundland and Labrador has 248 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the last update on February 1. Anyone who has tested positive must follow guidelines.

There are 20 people in hospital because of COVID-19, 11 in non-critical care and nine in critical care. There have been 264 new recoveries – 194 in the Eastern Health region, 34 in the Central Health region, 21 in the Western Health region and 15 in the Labrador-Grenfell region, and 15,836 people have recovered.

The breakdown of the 248 cases is as follows:

• Eastern Health region – 183
• Central Health region – 28
• Western Health region – 27
• Labrador-Grenfell Health region – 10

There are currently 1,895 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. The regional breakdown of the active cases is as follows:

• Eastern Health – 1,358
• Central Health – 203
• Labrador-Grenfell Health – 105
• Western Health – 229

A total of 865 tests were completed since yesterday. To date, 483,786 tests have been administered.

Today, the Widows in Nain would have had their Traditional Day, but due to COVID it did not happen.

So today at 3:30 pm, OK Radio will air a recorded sermon for our widows.

Click here to hear the recorded sermon.