Interprovincial workers allowed out of house while isolating
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says mental health played a part in her decision to allow workers who have to perpetually isolate while moving in and out of Newfoundland and Labrador to get out of the house and get some fresh air.
However, they’re still not allowed to enter retail establishments or public buildings.
“We feel this measure strikes a balance between personal health and public safety,” she said during Friday’s COVID-19 video update.
Some exceptions still apply. Workers are required to remain indoors if they have any COVID-19-LIKE symptoms, and those coming back from designated high-risk facilities in Canada still have to quarantine.
Much of Friday’s briefing was devoted to two slide shows, one each from Fitzgerald and core analytics leader Dr. Proton Rahman.
Fitzgerald revisited what everyone should know about preventing the spread of the disease. She said it’s important to keep informing the public as restrictions are gradually lifted.
“When it comes to COVID19, the proverb that knowledge is power most certainly rings true,” she said.
The main points are as follows:
• The coronavirus is mostly spread through respiratory droplets and can travel in the air for up to two metres, hence the need to keep two metres apart from others not in your bubble or household.
• If you can’t stay two metres apart, wear a non-medical mask.
• You must stay home if you have any symptoms resembling a respiratory virus.
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue.
• Wash your hands for 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer, and avoid touching your face.
• Indoors is a more risky space for infection than outdoors.
POP-UP CASE
The panel offered some new information Friday about the one new case of COVID-19 that was announced Thursday.
The man arrived on Air Canada Flight 8018 from Montreal on May 22, and public health issued an advisory Friday for anyone on that flight to monitor for symptoms and consider calling 811 for advice.
. “While the risk of exposure to COVID-19 on this flight is very low, out of an abundance of caution, we are making this recommendation,” Fitzgerald said.
The person went into isolation immediately upon return, and Fitzgerald said he might have been in contact with two people at the most upon arrival, and they are in quarantine.
The person had originally travelled from Africa.
CRYSTAL BALL
Rahman, a clinical researcher in St. John’s, spoke mostly about the importance of contact tracing in his presentation.
His team involves experts in and outside the province from the fields of biology, math, statistics and medicine.
Among his charts was one showing a scenario in which infection rates of one per cent or more of the population can become a problem in terms of hospital capacity.
However, he added that the current rate in Newfoundland and Labrador is one-tenth of that.
He also showed data that demonstrated how even a small increase in the number of contacts outside of one’s bubble, from six to 10 people, can have a dramatic effect on the spread of the coronavirus.
“You might not think there’s that much of a difference between six contacts per day … as compared to eight or 10. These numbers seem similar. But it makes a very big difference in terms of the population that could be infected with COVID-19,” he said.
IN OTHER DEVELOPMENTS FRIDAY:
• The premier announced that the compensation grant program for child care operators will continue until June 26. It was due to expire at the end of May.
• Ball also said the COVID19 business response team has received 1,000 inquiries. Of those, 917 have received responses and the rest are being addressed.
• The premier said he’s still in discussions with other Atlantic premiers about the possibility of creating a region-wide bubble.
“That’s a decision that will be made with public health officials and the other premiers.”