Hospital testing expands
Chief medical officer counts down to not-so-grand opening of most businesses
Despite no sign of viral life in daily COVID-19 testing in Newfoundland and Labrador, health authorities are going to test patients who visit hospitals for certain procedures.
Regional health authorities announced Tuesday that anyone admitted to hospital will be tested for COVID-19. That now extends to outpatients undergoing procedures that can generate aerosols, such as nose and throat scopes.
The extra measures reflect a theme of increased vigilance as the province approaches a significant reopening of businesses and recreational activities on Monday.
“We must remain vigilant as we gradually resume additional activities and business operations in the next phase of our COVID-19 plan,” Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald said Wednesday.
Fitzgerald did a quick outline of what will happen under Alert Level 3 on Monday when businesses and activities reopen on a wider scale, but with health restrictions still in place, the main one being physical distancing. Here’s her summary:
• Gatherings at funerals, burials and weddings expanded to 20 people;
• Campsites will be open for limited overnight stays;
• Summer day camps can go ahead;
• Medium-risk outdoor sports allowed, with spectators spaced apart;
• Outdoor pools can operate with limited capacity;
• Public playground equipment cannot be used;
• Indoor facilities such as gyms, tennis and squash courts, and yoga and dance studios must remain closed; • Private clinics can open; • Long-term and personal care home orders remain in place;
• Retail stores can open, and lotto and scratch tickets can be sold;
• Personal services such as hair salons, tattoo parlours and tanning salons can reopen;
• Daycare operations are further expanded;
• Restaurants can open at reduced capacity;
• Bars, lounges and cinemas remain closed.
ELDER VISITS
Fitzgerald has hinted for at least a week that some changes may be coming for long-term and personal care homes in the province. Those changes may involve rules about visitations.
“We know that this is something of great concern to a lot of people, including residents of these homes and their families, and we realize the importance of visits to the mental health of all people involved,” she said.
Expect an announcement “within the next couple of days,” she said.
Seniors facilities have been closed to all visitors since late March, and Fitzgerald and others have stressed the move is necessary to prevent tragic outbreaks like those experienced in Quebec and Ontario.’
RAMPING UP
Health Minister Dr. John Haggie said surgeries and other procedures continue to be ramped up at the province’s hospitals. They are now doing about half of what they did on average before the pandemic.
Haggie said personal protective equipment continues to be a challenge, but supplies are still sufficient for the most part. They hope to be able to start stockpiling for future pandemics once supply chains stabilize.
IN OTHER DEVELOPMENTS WEDNESDAY:
• Premier Dwight Ball touted a new $30-million home construction and renovation rebate. Rebates of 25 per cent are available, up to a maximum of $10,000, for work done by a registered contractor.
• Ball acknowledged the anniversary of the report on Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls, thanking all who “shared their insights and their lived experiences.” Peter Jackson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering health for The Telegram.