The RCMP have launched a criminal investigation into the suspected cyberattack on Newfoundland and Labrador’s health-care system.

The provincewide disruption of health-care services started Saturday, and continues to affect thousands of appointments and procedures, including those involving COVID-19 testing.

It has forced the province’s largest health authority, Eastern Health, to resort to using paper-based backups.

The province hasn’t provided much detail on what’s happening, and hasn’t confirmed it’s a ransomware attack, with Health Minister John Haggie calling it
Monday a “possible cyberattack.”

But in its investigation, RCMP said it would use specialized units within the force with expertise in cyber threats.

Ransomware attacks use malicious software to block or encrypt files, with a ransom payment demanded in order to restore access.

Service provider Bell Aliant hasn’t responded to multiple calls and emails from CBC News.

No other information about the investigation was provided by the police force.

The NDP MHA for Labrador West is pushing to have Labradorians who travel for treatment accommodated as the health care system deals with mass cancellations in the wake of a major system failure.

Currently, Eastern Health is only accepting emergencies due to the situation, meaning thousands of appointments have been cancelled. That’s causing a headache for people who live in Labrador and travel to the region to undergo treatment.

Labrador West MHA Jordan Brown states that Labradorians should receive priority for rebooking.

As well, Brown states that currently the costs covered by the medical transportation program decrease with each trip made.

He says for one trip the patient will receive a full reimbursement, but for each additional trip made that amount decreases by 50 per cent.

He is asking the minister to lift that penalty so that those who have to rebook aren’t out additional money for doing so.

First Minister of Nunatsiavut Government, Tyler Edmunds, announced yesterday that effective immediately Finance, Human Resources and Information Technology Minister Tony Andersen will assume the duties of Minister of Education and Economic Development on an interim basis. The move is in response to the resignation last Friday of the Ordinary Member for Rigolet, Carlene Palliser.

“Although I am disappointed, I respect Ms. Palliser’s decision in pursuing other opportunities, says President Johannes Lampe. “I want to thank her for the tremendous contribution she has made as Ordinary Member of the Nunatsiavut Assembly and as Minister of Education and Economic Development. I wish her the best of luck in her future endeavours”.

A date has yet to be determined for a bi-election.

There have been some elder’s conferences being held in the Nunatsiavut communities.

Beverly Hunter is the Elders Coordinator for DHSD in Hopedale.

She says due to COVID-19, she will be going from community to community to do different seniors gathering.

She did hold some gatherings in Hopedale and Goose Bay and will be traveling to the other communities in the near future.

Stay tuned to AtjiKangitut today to hear more from Hunter on these gatherings.

Today, Monday, November 1, Newfoundland and Labrador has two new confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the last public advisory. Contact tracing by Public Health is underway and anyone considered a close contact has been advised regarding quarantine according to current guidelines.

In the Eastern Health region:
· One under 20 years of age.

The case is a female and is a contact of a previously known case.

In the Western Health region:
· One between 50-59 years of age.

The case is a male and is related to travel within Canada.

As of Saturday, October 30, there have been 10 new recoveries, six in the Eastern Health region, two in the Central Health region and two in the Western Health region and 1,880 people have recovered. There is one person in hospital because of COVID-19.

There are currently 91 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. The regional breakdown of the active cases is as follows:
· Eastern Health – 79
· Central Health – 10
· Labrador-Grenfell Health – 0
· Western Health – 2

The number of tests that have been administered is not available at this time.

The 25th Annual Jobe J Tournament in Hopedale will be from November 12th to November 14th, 2021.

People still got time to register their team until November 10th.

There is a minimum of five players and a maximum of seven players with an admission fee of $20 per player.

Here are the following prizes that will be awarded:

Most Valuable Player, Most Sportsmanlike Trophies and there will be hoodies for the champions.

The IlinniaKatigennik Program is a radio contest that airs every Tuesday afternoon from 3-4pm.

We are looking to record Inuktitut any stories that you remember of growing up in the November months; for example, stories about Advent or the first snow fall.

We are also interested in hearing different traditional recipes if anyone has any to share.

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

You will be compensated for your time of $50 for adults and promo for children.

This is for anyone along the North Coast and in the Canadian constituency.

For more information you can contact Robyn Martin at 709-922-2051 or email her at robyn.martin@nunatsiavut.com.

The province’s new restrictions for K-6 schools come into effect today.

All students in kindergarten to Grade 3 will be required to wear a mask, while staff at regulated child care centres will also be required to wear a mask.

Class cohorting will also be required indoors and, to the greatest extent possible, outdoors as well.

The Minister of Health and the President and CEO of Eastern Health will today provide an update on the internet outage that has disrupted service across multiple health authorities early this morning at 5:56 am.

Minister of Health, John Haggie and David Diamond will speak to media at 11am.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health information is assessing the matter and is working with Bell Aliant.

Affected services include the Provinces COVID-19 Travel Form and Assessment and Referral form and the COVID-19 Out-of–Province proof of vaccination and the COVID-19 Results Portal.

There is still no word on what is causing the outage, but the department says that further information will be released once it become available.

The Torngat Fish Producers Co-operative overall fishery went quite well this past summer.

Keith Watts is the General Manager.

He says it was a good fishery in the turbot fishery in Makkovik and the char and scallop in Nain. They hit some difficulties for the crab in Makkovik, but they managed to land a total 323,000 lbs out of their 445,000 tons of crab.

Watts says the Torngat Fisheries Board of Directors are scheduled to meet the last week of November.

Stay tuned to AtjiKangitut today when Watts give you details of the overall fishery.