As of yesterday, April 21, 2020, Dr. Fitzgerald posts announced that there was 3rd consecutive day in a row that there are no new positive cases in NL.
256 total cases; 238 Eastern Health 8 Central Health
4 Western Health 6 Labrador Grenfell Health
52 percent females 48 percent males
6 people in hospital 2 in ICU 3 death in eastern health previously.
194 people have recovered and 6662 tested.
Dr. Haggie says measures will be relaxed in the next few weeks.
The Nunatsiavut Government wishes to remind Beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement that under the Provincial Public Health (COVID-19) Protection Order issued March 31, public funerals, visitations and wakes are prohibited, and burials are restricted to no more than five people (including the officiant).
All those attending burials must remain at least two metres (six feet) apart at all times. No more than five people are allowed to dig the grave, and social distancing protocols must be followed. Pallbearers (up to four) are required to place the deceased at gravesites and vacate the area prior to burial. Following graveside services, the five participants (which includes the officiant) must vacate the area so that the body can be buried.
Click here to hear President Lampe on the Press Release from the Nunatsiavut Government.
The Voisey’s Bay mine will only allow 200 workers on site who are considered essential workers.
It’s been a month since Vale’s Voisey’s Bay in Northern Labrador was slowed down, but it could several months more before operations can begin to get back to normal.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, operations were ramped down in March to protect workers.
The mine went down from 900 workers last month to only about 200.
Heavy equipment operators, catering services and operators are among the couple hundred workers at the site making sure its maintained.
Employees who are not working are still getting paid, but wages might lower then what they’re used to.
Matthew Pike, Aboriginal Affairs Superintendant with Voisey’s Bay says the Canadian Emergency wage subsidy is being used to help pay employees.
“For the next 4 weeks (for) employees of Vale and those of our contractors, we’ll provide 90% of base wages, the next 4 weeks after that 80% base wages and 4 weeks after that 70% of base wages, Pike says.
Despite lower wages Pike adds that most employees understand, but many just want things to go back to normal.
“People want to come back to work; people want some kind of normalcy in their lives, but understanding that were not in the position to do that right now. Certainly a reduction of wages is not something anybody want to do, but its where we find ourselves in right now, he said.
Normalcy may not come till the summer but with things changing so rapidly, Pike said a lot is up in the air.
“Every day was re-evaluating that, we’re confident that we’ll have a lot more information before July 1, but there’s no guarantee with all of this, he said.
“As everybody knows you look at where were a month ago in terms of COVID-19, and July 1 in the grand scheme of things is far out there.
Pike adds that Vale will hold off any construction or work until things are able to safely resume.
Courtesy CBC,NL.
The province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health says the low number of new COVID-19 cases in the province is “encouraging” but we must not let our collective guard down.
For the second day in a row no new cases have been reported in Newfoundland and Labrador. 6,249 people have been tested and of the 257 positive cases in the province, 191 have recovered.
Dr. Janice Fitzgerald warns however that as long as the virus is in the community, the possibility that it can spread is still there.
She says an outbreak can occur at any time as long as the virus is still in circulation.
Premier Dwight Ball reminds the public that in the last week there have been 13 new active cases.
There are a lot of worries and concerns amongst our elders on the COVID-19.
Please listen to what you hear from Medical health, the province and Nunatsiavut, stay safe, social distance and stay home.
The OK Radio was fortunate to be able to speak with an elder of Makkovik to find out what she what her thoughts are about this pandemic.
Click here to hear Nellie Winters speak about her thoughts.
We are also asking if any elders who would like to call in to say their thoughts can contact the office at 922-2955.
Any elders out of town can call our toll free number at 1-855-922-2955.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says there have been cases when someone has initially tested negative for COVID-19 before testing positive.
Dr. Fitzgerald says it may have been too early in the course of the disease to actually pick up enough of the virus to result in a positive test.
That’s why, with a high degree of clinical suspicion, they would re-test.
She says that’s also why it’s so important to ensure that when they are doing testing; they’re doing it at a time they feel they will get the most reliable results.
Dr. Fitzgerald says that’s why they have recommended testing people with symptoms only.
The Youth and Family Online Activities are doing a Family Lip Syncing Challenge for Nunatsiavummiut.
Today, April 20th is the last day to submit your family’s lip syncing challenge to win.
Post your video on the “Youth & Family Online Activities for Nunatsiavummiut” Facebook page.
You have your own choice of song but please, no explicit language, and make sure the songs are family friendly.
You can also make your own music video/dance moves while lip syncing. Be creative.
Each family who participants in the challenge will have their name submitted to have a chance to win a gift card valued at $50 each.
Please be sure you continue to practice safe physical distancing.
Videos should only include members of the same household.
The Craft Centre in Makkovik is re-opening today, Monday, April 20th.
Service NL informed them that they can carry on with the phone-in or email orders and accept online payments, with ‘curb-side’ pick-up, one at a time.
Caroline Rideout will be working from 1-4 pm Monday to Friday.
She will be putting some photos of inventory on our Facebook page to assist shoppers.
You can call 923-2273 or email makkovikcraftcentre@gmail.com.
For out-of-town customers, please note that they will not be making trips to the airstrip or post office to ship orders.
However, if you have someone in town to pick up your order, that is okay.
Craft buying times will be discontinued for now, since that involves getting together a quality control group.
However, if the Craft Centre runs low, they may request an item or items from regular producers.
Yesterday, April 19, Newfoundland and Labrador announced that there were no new confirmed cases of COVID-19. The total number of confirmed cases in the province remains at 257.
Today they announced the regional breakdown of the 257 cases is as follows:
• Eastern Health – 239
• Central Health – 8
• Labrador-Grenfell Health – 6
• Western Health – 4
Fifty-two per cent of cases are female and forty-eight per cent are male.
By age, there are 22 people 19 years old and under, 37 between 20-39, 37 between 40-49, 56 between 50-59, 58 between 60-69, and 47 who are 70 years old and above.
Six people are in hospital due to the virus. Of these patients, three are in intensive care.
One hundred and ninety one people have recovered.
There have been three deaths from COVID-19.
To date, 6,144 people have been tested.
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are reminded to strictly adhere to the public health orders and directives issued by the Chief Medical Officer of Health.
Individuals should practice good infection prevention and control practices. Daily preventative actions can help to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Some examples include:
• Wash your hands often with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds;
• Use an alcohol based hand sanitizer in the absence of warm water and soap;
• Avoid touching your face;
• Practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette;
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces;
• Maintain a distance of 6 feet (2 metres) between you and others;
• Wear a properly fitted, homemade or non-medical mask when going out for essentials to protect others; and,
• Stay home if you are sick.
For the most up-to-date information related to COVID-19, please visit www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19.
For questions related to COVID-19, please email covid19info@gov.nl.ca.
The Nunatsiavut Government today announced that assistance will be provided to ensure Beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement residing in the Constituency of Upper Lake Melville have sufficient nutritious food to support health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Many Labrador Inuit in Upper Lake Melville face food-insecurity issues at the best of times,” says Nunatsiavut President Johannes Lampe. “This program will help those who are most in need during these trying times.”
The Emergency Food Supplement Program is geared towards helping individuals and families impacted by COVID-19 and those most vulnerable to the virus. Priority will be given to seniors (60 years and older and on fixed incomes, persons with disabilities, single parents, low-income families (receiving income support, living on fixed-pension incomes or employment insurance), and individuals and families who have had their employment hours cut or have been laid off because of the pandemic.
How to apply Beneficiaries in the Upper Lake Melville area wishing to apply for the Emergency Food Supplement Program are asked to call the following numbers in their respective communities during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday):
Happy Valley-Goose Bay/Mud Lake (709) 896-3396
North West River (709) 497-8807 or 497-8808
Plans are in the works to provide assistance to Labrador Inuit residing Constituency of Canada. Details will be announced soon.