Newfoundland and Labrador’s four regional health authorities said Wednesday they are starting to roll out plans to revive procedures and services that were suspended two months ago by the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, patients waiting to see specialists or who have had procedures cancelled should not expect a full return to how the health system had been operating before the pandemic.

In four separate but quite similar news releases, the authorities indicated services will be restored gradually.

“Medical imaging, endoscopy, cardiac diagnostic and surgical services have been identified as areas within the health-care system that can gradually and safely begin to resume service at this time,” Eastern Health, the province’s largest regional health authority, said in a statement.

Central Health, Western Health and Labrador-Grenfell Health also said work is now underway to set priorities for which cases are handled first.

Newfoundland and Labrador moved to what’s called Alert Level 4 on Monday, triggering some small changes in public health emergency orders.

The transition also allows regional health authorities to start bringing patients back into institutions, although in a very controlled manner.

“The resumption of services will be a gradual process,” Dr. Martin Vogel, vice-president of medical services at Central Health.

“Our focus will be on reopening the most urgent surgeries and procedures while ensuring patients and staff are appropriately equipped with personal protective equipment.”

The authorities said patients will be contacted directly about rescheduled appointments by physicians’ offices.

The provincial government is directing the Public Utilities Board to provide a one-time credit for customers whose electricity is affected by the price of oil.

Electricity customers who are not a part of the Labrador interconnected system, including those using diesel on the north coast of Labrador, will receive the credit.

The credit, announced Thursday morning which has an estimated surplus of about $50 million because low oil prices mean NL Hydro has spent less on fuel for the Holyrood thermal generating station.

Normally a surplus would be paid out over a year, but customers this year will get the credit in a lump sum, as early as July, with the amount varying based on electricity usage.

The provincial government estimates someone whose power costs an average of $200 a month would get a one-time credit of about $130. Details of the plan will be left to the PUB.

Both businesses and residential customers will also be able to defer payments, with up to $2.5 million in interest being waived on overdue accounts.

Customers will be required to make agreed-upon monthly payments to their account, and there will be interest assistance for 15 months, beginning June 1st.
Labrador’s interconnected grid isn’t affected by the price of oil, but those customers can take advantage of the interest relief.

Relief policies already put in place during the pandemic, like not disconnecting customers and providing options for more flexible bill payments, will continue.

The Nunatsiavut Government has received numerous reports of possible abuse of programs and initiatives aimed at assisting Beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement deal with impacts associated with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

There have been reports of some individuals selling fuel and goods such as diapers, formula, etc. to purchase alcohol and/or drugs, or other non-essential items. As well, the Nunatsiavut Government has learned of individuals and/or families providing false information regarding income levels when applying for assistance.

Such activity will not be tolerated. Those determined to be abusing any of the COVID-19 response programs will be denied further assistance.

Update for Wednesday, May 13th, 2020 from Dr. Fitzgerald:

11 active cases total in NL
0 New positive cases in NL today (the 5th day in a row)
261 Total cases
243 Eastern Health
8 Central Health
4 Western Health
6 Labrador Grenfell Health
52 percent females
48 percent males
4 people in hospital
1 in ICU
3 deaths in Eastern Health previously. Not today.
247 people have recovered
10,052 people tested

The Federal Government provided financial support to all regions in Canada.

We spoke with MP Yvonne Jones.

She says the Federal Government are providing support programs to help support people who are struggling during this COVID-19 Pandemic.

The Federal Government would like to announce that they have made some changes and would like to inform people about what support programs are available.

Click here to hear part 1 of the support programs provided from the Federal Government with MP Yvonne Jones.

This week across Canada is National Nurses Week from May 11th to the 17th, 2020.

Awareness is shared on importance and value of our countries most significant frontline heroes, Nurses.

This sentiment has always been true during normal circumstances, but now more than ever during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Nurses are rising to the challenge in extraordinary times to keep us all safe.

The Theme of National Nursing Week 2020 is:

Nurses: A voice to lead- Nursing the World to Health.

Mayor Wilson (Wally) Andersen, the 12th Council, Management and Staff of the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay sincerely thanks Nurses in our community for all that they do.

Show your gratitude to our nurses by posting a sincere message to social media using these tags:

#CNA2020
#IND2020
#Nurses2020
#NationalNursingWeek2020
#SupportNursesandMidwives
#YearoftheNursesandMidwife
#YearoftheNurse

COVID-19 update Tuesday, May 12th, 2020 from Dr. Fitzgerald:

11 active cases total in NL
0 New positive cases in NL today
261 Total cases
243 Eastern Health
8 Central Health
4 Western Health
6 Labrador Grenfell Health
52 percent females
48 percent males
4 people in hospital
1 in icu
3 deaths in Eastern Health previously. Not today.
247 people have recovered
10,052 people tested

The provincial government is now at Alert Level 4 for the COVID-19 pandemic.

We spoke with the AngajukKâk Joe Dicker from the Nain Inuit Community Government.

He says that there is less restrictions now and we now can Double Bubble but he would like to remind the community to still practice good health practices.

Click here to hear AngajukKâk Dicker tell you more about Alert level 4.

There is a new group in Happy Valley Goose Bay called “clothmasks4labrador Sewing Group”.

This group is providing free materials to the north coast communities to make face masks.

We spoke with Elsie Russell, the Mental Health and Addictions worker at the Nain DHSD.

She says about 2 to 3 hundred face masks will be given out to the public today at the Nain Post office.

Face masks are available in adults and children sizes.

If you would like to get a free face mask, you can go down to the Nain Post office at the front counter to get your free mask.

Russell says their aim is to have every person in Nain wear a face mask and to use face masks if need be.

She also added that they are still looking for volunteers to help make the home made masks.

If you’re interested you can contact Elsie and Sandra for materials.
Through email: elsie.russell@nunatsiavut.com or inbox Nain DHSD for more information.

The provincial government is easing some restrictions as the province now entered Alert Level 4 yesterday.

Your responsibilities for all Levels;
-Follow Public Health Guidelines for All Alert Levels.
-If you have COVID-19 systems, contact 811.
-Outdoor activities, including walking, hiking, or riding your bike, are encouraged as long as physical distancing can be maintained and you are not required to self-isolate for any reason.

Your responsibilities for Alert Level 4;
-Stay at home as much as possible, except to get essentials like groceries and medications.
-You can expand your household bubble to include one other household (effective April 30).

Public Health Measures for Alert Level 4…
-Official gatherings expanded to 10 people.
-Visitations and wakes remain prohibited.
-Recreational angling and hunting permitted.
-Golf courses can open with restrictions in place.
-Municipals Parks open.
-Playground equipment in municipal parks is not to be used.
-Campsites remain closed.
-Gym and fitness facilities, yoga studios, tennis and squash facilities, arenas, dance studios and performance spaces remain closed.
-Regional Health Authorities will begin to allow some healthcare services to resume.
-Private health care clinic remain closed, except for urgent and emergent care, with virtual care options available for non-urgent care.
-All visitor restrictions in health care remain in place.

-Orders for Long term care, personal care homes, and assisted living facilities remain in place.
-Expansion of daycare operations.

-Professional services such as accounting firms, law firms, and financial services can offer in-person services. Work from home policies is encouraged, where possible.
-In-person worker and workplace safety training will be permitted (e.g. Standard First Aid, Basic Safety Training, food safety, etc.).
-Gardening Centres can open for in-person sales and service.
-Landscaping and lawn care services can operate.
-Animal daycares can resume operations.
-Retail stores that do not offer essential services, bars and lounges, cinemas, and personal service establishments remain closed.
-Restaurants remain closed for in-person dining.