As of yesterday, Thursday, May 28, Newfoundland and Labrador announced that there was one new confirmed case of COVID-19.

The one new confirmed case is a male in the Eastern Health region between 40-49 years of age.

Contact tracing by public health officials is underway.

Everyone considered a close contact will be advised to quarantine.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 261.

The regional breakdown of the 261 cases are as follows:

Eastern Health-243
Central Health-8
Labrador-Grenfell Health-6
Western Health-4

One person is in hospital due to the virus and 255 people have recovered.

There have been three deaths from COVID-19 and to date, 11, 775 people have been tested.

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are reminded to follow the public health orders and direstives issued by the Chief Medical Officer of Health.

The Hopedale Inuit Community Government are still following the COVID-19 precautions.

We spoke with Marjorie Flowers who is the AngajukKak for Hopedale.

She says the offices are still closed and non-essential travelers are prohibited.

Flowers adds that they will be having a virtual graduation for their ACMS Graduates of 2020.

She is asking for the Hopedale residents to make lots of noise for the graduates at 2:15 pm.

Click here to hear AngajukKak Flowers as she gives us an update on the community of Hopedale.

The extended tax deadline is approaching on Monday, and a national tax specialist is urging people not to delay.

Gerry Vittoratos of U-File says the deadline is June 1 for a reason.

He says many people think that just because they don’t have to pay anything until September 1 that it is not worth rushing to file.

Vittoratos says by not filing and waiting to get money, people are essentially giving the Canadian government an interest-free loan.

For those who owe money, he says they should still file for June 1, and then they have the whole summer to pay.

Story courtesy of VOCM.

How do I reach Mental Wellness Supports?

• Call toll-free at 1-833-896-5977 Monday to Friday from 10 am to 8 pm
• Send a private message to staff using the messenger option on the Nunatsiavut Mental Wellness Support Facebook page Monday to Friday 10 am to 8 pm.

Who will reach when I call or message?

• You will speak with a Nunatsiavut DHSD staff member

When should I call or send a message to Wellness Support?

• If you feel you need to talk with a support person in private about something you are struggling with
• If you are trying to reach a Mental Health and Addictions Worker in your community or another DHSD staff member and need to be connected
• If you need help finding the right supports inside or outside of your community
• If you know of someone who needs supports, and you are worried for them
• If you are looking for contact number or general information regarding other available support lines

Please reach out to Mental Health Wellness Supports if you need help with the above, and you know you are not alone!

Yesterday it was announced that Newfoundland and Labrador has no new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The total number of confirmed cases in the province remains at 260.

The regional breakdown of the 260 cases is as follows:

• Eastern Health – 242
• Central Health – 8
• Labrador-Grenfell Health – 6
• Western Health – 4

One person is in hospital due to the virus.

Two hundred and fifty-five people have recovered.

There have been three deaths from COVID-19.

The Hebron Ambassador and Restoration programs are cancelled this year.

Due to concerns related to the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, the Nunatsiavut Government will not be running the Hebron ambassador and restoration programs for the 2020 season.

Staff with the Department of Language, Culture and Tourism will continue to work towards the development of a Hebron ambassador guidebook, restoration plans and enhancements to camp operations to be prepared for when it is safe to offer the programs again.

As the province continues to move forward while living with COVID-19, the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development has begun reinstating in-person family visitation where it is in the best interest of children and youth in care.

The department recognizes the critical importance of in-person visitation for children, youth and their families to nurture and support relationships; to facilitate bonding and attachment between parents and their children; to promote cultural and community connection; and to facilitate reunification planning.

Working directly with individual families, the department’s social workers have begun developing plans specific to each family situation to prepare for reinstatement of in-person family visitation if it is physically safe to do so.

The department has reached out to community partners to advise them of this direction and is pleased with the support received.

The department will continue to rely on the expertise of the province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health to inform health decisions on this matter, recognizing that the safety of children, youth and their families and those who care for them is paramount, especially during this unprecedented time.

To reach the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development, please call 1-833-552-2368.

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

For general inquiries related to available government services, please email covid19info@gov.nl.ca.

The Nunatsiavut Government received Federal monies to help support our beneficiaries in Nunatsiavut.

Yvonne Jones is our MP for Labrador.

She says that she has been getting really good feedback about the initiatives that the federal government has provided to beneficiaries.

She would like to inform our listeners about the new benefits people are entitled to.

Click here to hear more about these new benefits.

Restrictions on childcare centres will ease up in the next alert level, but what those operations will look like and how it will work is still being determined.
If current numbers hold, Alert Level Three will come into effect June 8th.

Chief Medical Office of Health, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says Public Health has been in contact with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development who in turn have been in contact with daycare providers.

She says as more businesses are allowed to reopen, childcare centres will have to expand their operations.

Meanwhile, the crucial role that early childhood educators play in the lives of children is being recognized on this Early Childhood Educators Week.

Minister responsible for education, Brian Warr, says there are approximately 2,200 certified early childhood educators throughout the province working in child care centres, family homes, family resource centres and educational institutions.

Chairperson of the Association of Early Childhood Educators NL, Sheena Winsor, says it is important that we pause to celebrate early childhood educators as essential workers and recognize their contributions.

Schools in the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District are expected to reopen to teachers next week, according to director of education Tony Stack.

In a memo sent to staff Monday, Stack said the district expects the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to make the announcement that schools will reopen June 1 to teachers, teaching assistants and secretaries for the remainder of the school year.

Teachers and staff are expected to close out the current school year by completing transition plans for students, preparing final report cards — which will be issued the week of June 22 — and completing two professional learning courses.

Teachers are also expected to begin preparation for the next school year.

“We acknowledge that, at present, public health authorities continue to encourage working from home where possible. I am also aware that some of you have geographical limitations, health concerns, or issues regarding the care of family members that may, wholly or partially, prevent you going into your school,” Stack said.

Stack said staff can continue to work from home, providing they complete the work to close out the school year.

Home-learning plans will be suspended June 5 to allow teachers time to complete their final tasks and focus on preparing for 2020-21, Stack said.

Stack said in the memo the school district has been expecting the announcement for some time, adding that custodial staff will play a key role in preparation for next year.