The world is awaiting a reliable vaccine for the novel Corona virus.

Both Ontario and Quebec reported more than one thousand new cases of COVID-19 3 days ago and a total of 39 deaths.

There were no new cases in Newfoundland and Labrador on November 6, with 5 active cases.

Dr. Natalie Bridger is a clinical chief of infection prevention and control for Eastern Health and an associate professor in pediatrics at the faculty of medicine at MUN.

She says ten different vaccines are currently in phase three trials, with hundreds of others in various levels of development.

While things are developing at a rapid pace, Dr. Bridger says its hard to know when a vaccine will be widely available for distribution.

She’s hopeful it will be soon, but doubts it will be the end of the year.

Courtesy VOCM News.

A local company wants to rake a deeper dive into the issue of bullying by providing a clearer picture of just how rampant the problem is in the province.

Samantha Gerbeau, the Founder of Newfoundcare, says the most up to date statistics on a federal government website date back to 2012. But she says its widely believed the problem has gotten much worse since then, particularly amongst seniors and in the workplace.

She says the challenge is getting people to open up and share their stories of bullying and harassment, possibly through a 1-800 number along the lines of the Kids Help Phone.

Gerbeau says community leaders are telling her that the incidents of bullying are growing exponentially, so the goal is to update those numbers and concentrate on prevention.

She says that there are anti-bullying programs through WorkplaceNL, but she believes a task force is needed toward providing immediate help for those in need now.

Meanwhile, Gerbeau says people can share their stories anonymously by contacting Newfoundcare, adding the info can be contained without naming names.

We contacted the communities to see what each community freezer have to offer and here is what they have.

In Postville, they have corn cod, char, salmon, and two ducks.

In Hopedale, they have mattak, smoke char fillets, natural char fillets from Nain, turbot, cod fish and essential foods.

In Nain, they have char, couple of mattak, cod and corn cod.

In Makkovik, they have char and cod fish only for the seniors.

We weren’t able to reach the community of Rigolet.

Today, Monday, November 9, Newfoundland and Labrador has no new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The province has seven active cases.

286 people have recovered from the virus. To date, 54,965 people have been tested.

The Department of Health and Community Services is providing an update on the one new confirmed case in the Western Health region announced yesterday, Sunday, November 8.

The source of the infection continues to be investigated by Public Health.

Public Health is working to identify potential sources of transmission. They have identified the close contacts of this case. Anyone considered a close contact will be notified by Public Health and advised to quarantine.

People should know that they will only be contacted by Public Health if they are deemed a close contact.

Investigations of this nature can take time and Public Health is asking people to remain patient as the investigation continues. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Public Health is taking the opportunity to remind people, in light of yesterday’s case, to strictly adhere to the orders from 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.

People entering Newfoundland and Labrador are reminded to self-isolate in accordance with the province’s Public Health requirements.

In Alert Level 2, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians should continue to practice good infection prevention and control practices. Daily preventative actions can help to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

People are reminded that COVID Alert is available for download free through the Apple or Google Play app stores. Public Health is encouraging people to download the app to help reduce the spread of the virus.

For the most up-to-date information related to COVID-19, please visit www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19.

The Public Health Agency of Canada is now recommending Canadians choose a 3 layer non-medical mask with a filter layer to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as they prepare to spend more time indoors over the winter.

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam made the recommendation during her bi-weekly pandemic briefing in Ottawa last Tuesday, November 3.

She said its to improve the level of protection that can be provided by nonmedical masks or face coverings, we are recommending that you reconsider a 3-layer nonmedical mask.

According to recently updated guidelines, two layers of the mask should be made with tightly woven fabric, such as linen or cotton, and the middle layer should be a filter-type fabric, such as fabric like canvas.

“We’re not necessarily saying just throw out everything that you have” Tam told reporters, suggesting adding a filter can help protection.

“This is an additional recommendation just to add another layer of protection. The science of masks has really accelerated during this particular pandemic. So we’re just learning again as we go.”

She says “I do think that because it’s winter, and because we’re all inside, we’re learning more about droplets and aerosols.”

She also urged Canadians to wear well fitted masks that cover the nose, mouth and chin without leaving gaps.

The 44th Annual Creative Arts Festival will be different this year due to COVID-19.

Sandra Broomfield is the Coordinator of the festival.

She says that they are looking to make it go ahead virtually.

Right now, they are in the process of planning and organizing.

They are looking to get Musicians, Performers, Story Tellers and Artists to visit the schools along the coast.

Students would be able to take pictures with the artists and be able to share online.

Broomfield is thinking that the virtual festival will start sometime in January, 2021.

We will have further updates sometime in Mid-December to see what will be going on in the 44th Annual Creative Arts Festival.

One of the faces of the COVID-19 pandemic in Newfoundland and Labrador has been honoured as the Family Physician of the Year by the Foundation for Advancing Family of Medicine.

Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald became a household name in March on the onset of the pandemic.

Fitzgerald and Health Minister, John Haggie approach to dealing with the pandemic received National and International attention, as Newfoundland and Labrador flattened the curve heading into summer, and continues to keep case numbers low while many areas of the country are being hit hard by a second wave.

Fitzgerald’s approach has garnered position attention here at home as well, with many thanking the doctor for her efforts as the province entered into one of the most uncertain times in its history.

“Congratulations to Dr. Janice Fitzgerald on being recognized by the College of Family Physicians of Canada as one of their 2020 Family Physicians of the Year! Please join in sending best wishes to our superstar Chief Medical Officer of Health. Dr. Janice Fitzgerald has kept our province safe throughout the pandemic thus far. This is a very well-deserved honour!”.

The Nain Department of Health and Social Development began their yearly Flu clinics last month in October.

Megan Hudson is the Public Health Nurse for the Nain DHSD.

She says they began the flu shots on October 16th, 2020.

She encourages individuals to get their flu shot this year.

If you or your family members did not get the chance to have your flu shot, you still can book an appointment by calling the Nain DHSD.

Hudson says they will continue to book appointments until winter.

You can book an appointment from Monday to Fridays by calling the public health office at 922-2962.

The Rigolet Inuit Community Government is pleased to announce the re-opening of the gas station with the following rules:

• Residents whose main source of heat is stove oil will be served first, limit of one (1) drum per household.
• Once residents who need stove oil for heating is served, gasoline sale started as of Friday, November 6. Limit of ten (10) gallons per household.

If you already have oil or gas and can wait, please allow residents who are really low to be served first.

These rules are set in place to give all residents equal opportunity to get the gas and oil they need.

The limit per household will be removed once everyone has a chance to get their gas/oil.

RICG would like to thank the community for their patience and understanding. Please practice social distancing and wear a mask when entering the gas station.

Please note that there are to be no self service; no touching the pumps.

MP Yvonne Jones would like to announce a few new benefit programs provided by the Federal Government of Canada.

The new programs provided are: the Disability Tax benefit, Funds for the SMARTICE imitative, the COVID emergency support benefits, the Inuit housing agreement along with much more.

Stay tuned to our AtjiKangitut show today to find out more about these new benefit programs.