Premier Andrew Furey announced yesterday that changes to the Atlantic Bubble announced last month will be extended for another month.

That means anyone entering Newfoundland and Labrador, including those in the other Atlantic provinces, must isolate for 14 days on arrival.

While two weeks have passed since Tibb’s Eve with no new cases reported yesterday, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald is concerned that some people may be experiencing symptoms, but not getting tested.

Fitzgerald says that may be because a person might not believe they’ve come into contact with COVID-19, they are afraid of public reaction, or fear confirmation they have COVID-19. She’s urging anyone who is experiencing a fever or new cough to contact 811 for testing.

Dr. Fitzgerald says if a person is experiencing two of any of the following symptoms, she asked them to arrange for testing:

– Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
– Runny, stuffy or congested nose (not related to seasonal allergies or other known causes/conditions)
– Sore throat or difficulty swallowing
– Headache
– Acute loss of sense of smell or taste
– Unusual fatigue, lack of energy
– New onset of muscle aches
– Loss of appetite
– Vomiting or diarrhea for more than 24 hours

The severity of symptoms can range from mild to severe. Current information suggests that most cases are not severe nor do they require hospitalization.

Labrador-Grenfell Health wishes to update the public on the diligent planning for distribution of COVID-19 vaccines throughout the region.

Currently, there are two vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech) that have been approved for emergency use by Health Canada to minimize the spread of COVID-19. These vaccines are safe and effective and have undergone a full review and approval process.

Labrador-Grenfell Health has received an initial shipment of Moderna vaccine, which has been prioritized for residents living in remote and isolated (fly-in) Indigenous communities. Labrador-Grenfell Health is collaborating with Indigenous Governments in the roll out of the campaign.

Availability of the vaccine for these communities will begin as follows:

· January 11-15 – Nain, Hopedale, Postville, Makkovik and Rigolet
· January 18-22 – Natuashish

For information on times and locations within Black Tickle and Norman’s Bay, please contact the Black Tickle Community Clinic at (709) 471-8872.

Details around times and locations within Natuashish and Nunatsiavut communities will be released through Mushuau Innu First Nation and Nunatsiavut Government, respectively.

Today, Thursday, January 7, Newfoundland and Labrador has no new confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The province has nine active cases; there have been no new recoveries since yesterday.

366 people have recovered from the virus, one person is in hospital due to the virus, and to date, 74,033 people have been tested.

Public Health is reminding people to strictly adhere to the orders of the Chief Medical Officer of Health.

People must remain vigilant and follow all Public Health measures to protect themselves, their families, and their communities from the spread of COVID-19.

Public Health is reminding people about the phrase People, Space, Time, and Place. People should always consider these four important reminders.

Here is the year-end review for February 2020:

Widow’s Day festival was held on February 2nd with 7 people who had their day including Mary Andersen.

The Jens Haven Memorial Huskies represented Labrador region at the table tennis regionals in Sheshatshiu.

The Huskies also got both male and female MVP awards.

An earthquake was announced on February 3rd about 17 km East of Postville with a magnitude of 4.3.

The 17th Annual Inuttitut Speak off was held on the evening of February 4th with students that participated from each of the communities along the coast.

There were 12 polar bear licenses available for Nunatsiavut Beneficiaries on February 6th.

The Winter Sportsmeet was held in Postville on February 6th.

On February 10, Patty Dicker became the new owner of Atsanik Inn and renovations began in summer of 2019.

Also on February 10, there were 3 polar bears harvested ; two in Nain and one in Makkovik.

The Nunatsiavut Assembly’s first sitting of the New Year was held the week of January 20th in Hopedale and on February 10th, the Nunatsiavut Government Assembly did a shuffle and elected New Ministers and Ordinary Member.

The Jens Haven Memorial School celebrated their 100th day of school.

The NICG announced a ticket draw on a 2019 Skandic WT 900 Ace snowmobile with a total of 1,444 tickets sold and the winner was Amber Kohlmeister.

The Combined Councils of Labrador held their 48th annual meeting in Lans Au Claire, Labrador South from February 20th to the 22nd.

The agenda items included transportation, Nain Airstrip, road link to Trans Labrador Highway, Hydro increases.

The 19th Annual B & J Memorial Hockey Tournament was scheduled to go ahead from February 21st to 23rd.

Residents in Labrador were experiencing issues with Bell Aliant Internet services on Saturday, February 22nd, 2020.

On February 24, the Member Services Committee (MSC) of the Nunatsiavut Assembly was expected to consult and seek feedback from the Inuit before the Nunatsiavut Assembly agree to salary and benefits for its Members.

The Grade 8 students Heritage Fair took place on February 25th and the theme was “Our Environment; Past and Present”.

On February 26, trail markers were completed from Tinitjivik to Tâktok and Kikkertavak and to the rest of Labrador.

Also on February 26th, the Caribou Information Session was held in Nain with Jason Dicker. He says there was an increase in the Torngat Mountains caribou herd since 2014.

On February 28, all 5 licenses for Nain out of 12 polar bear licenses for the North Coast were filled.

Also on February 28, there were five people charged with breaches of court orders in connection with the protests at the Muskrat Falls site in October of 2016 and were free of the court process. The charges were laid after Nalcor sought a court injunction to prevent people from entering or blocking the construction site.

Here’s the Year End Review for January 2020:

The Enhancements Employment programs helped people who needed more hours to qualify for their Employment Insurance last fall to 2020.

The 2020 Polar Bear Licences were issued on Jan 7 for beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement, they opened on February 3.

On Jan 10 flags were lowered in Goose Bay for John Crosbie former Provincial Government Minister and Federal Cabinet Minister who passed away.

On Jan 10 the 16th annual Bantams Minor Hockey Tournament went ahead in Goose Bay.

On Jan 21, the Master Apprentice Program through the Dept of Language, Culture and Tourism was going well, and made a few more plans for the program until March.

The 1st Nunatsiavut Assembly Sitting took place in Hopedale of the New Year on Jan 21. On that day Tyler Edmunds of Postville was also elected the First Minister of NG.

On Jan 22, John Andersen of Makkovik was the lone candidate to file nomination for the Ordinary Member in his town.

On Jan 24, Sarah Townley a Labrador Inuk, originally from Hebron and lives in North West River was selected as moderator to oversee the upcoming Nunatsiavut Government Presidential Election on May 5, nominations closed on March 31.

On Jan 27, Beneficiaries were urged to abide the ban of the George River Caribou herd by Nunatsiavut Government as it remains in effect.

On Jan 27, The Family Literacy Day was celebrated in the schools all across Canada.

On Jan 28 the first case of Corona Virus was reported by CBC in Ontario.

On Jan 29, senior Simeon Nochasak, an organist living in Makkovik and is originally from Hebron, retired from playing the organ.

Stay tuned to AtjiKangitut today as we will re air the 1st Nunatsiavut Assembly Sitting that took place in Hopedale on Thursday, January 21st, 2020 of last year.

Memorial University will confer honorary degrees upon Inuit Elder and respected healer, artist and educator G. Jean Crane and upon Inuit and renowned artist, author and educator Nellie May Winters in a special convocation to be held in Happy Valley, Goose Bay on Thursday, January 21st.

The Graduation ceremony will be happening at 1pm and will be live streamed.

For her extraordinary contributions to Inuit art, and cultural life, Elder Nellie Winters is receiving the degree of doctor of laws.

Again the Graduation ceremony will be on Thursday, January 21st, 2021.

The province is reporting ONE new case of COVID-19 today.

The one new confirmed case is a male in the Eastern Health region between 20-39 years of age.

The case is related to international travel and the individual is not a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The individual is self-isolating and contact tracing is finished. Anyone considered a close contact has been advised to quarantine.

The province has 11 active cases of COVID-19.

There have been no new recoveries since yesterday meaning 374 people have recovered from the virus.

One person is in hospital due to the virus.

To date, 73,508 people have been tested.

Beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement are advised that the 2021 polar bear licenses for the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area will be issued under a draw system.

Beneficiaries who are interested in having their name entered into the draw must be present and fill out an application at the Nunatsiavut Government office in their respective communities.

The application form must be filled out and submitted to local Nunatsiavut Government conservation officers by 12 noon on January 29 in order to be entered into the draw. The 2021 hunting season will open on February 2.

If you require further information, contact your local conservation officer or Wildlife Manager, Jason Dicker at 709-922-2942 ext. 249.

The Department of Language, Culture and Tourism with the Nunatsiavut Government will be giving away an iPhone.

For every person who does an Inuktitut recording for the IlinniaKatigennik Contest will have their name put into a draw until January 26th, 2021.

Any recordings are done over the phone due to COVID-19 restrictions and will be aired on OKâlaKatiget Society.

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

Please note that it must be your own Inuttitut story to get the $50 and if you are reading someone else’s story or reading a book you will get $25.

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.

More shipments of COVID-19 vaccines and the ultra-low freezers used to store Pfizer vaccine are on the way to the province.

Health Minister Dr. John Haggie says 2,400 doses of the Moderna vaccine have already been delivered to the province, to be used in high-risk communities in Northern Labrador.

Haggie says two more shipments of vaccines will arrive on January 6 and January 10 with two additional shipments arriving by the end of January. The amount of vaccine in each shipment will vary.

The Pfizer vaccine must be stored in ultra-low temperature freezers.

Haggie says there are currently five of these freezers in the province: two at Memorial University, one at Eastern Health, one in Central Health and one in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

He says two are on the way from the Federal Government, and five more ultra-low freezers are on order.

Haggie says as of Monday morning, 1,785 people had been vaccinated in the province.

There was a freezer donated to Western Health by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, but it will need some servicing before it can be used.