N.L. reports 431 new COVID-19 cases, 19th COVID-related death to end 2021
CBC
Newfoundland and Labrador is reporting 431 new cases of COVID-19 and its 19th COVID-19 death as the year comes to a close.
The province's latest death related to the virus is a man in the Eastern Health region in his 60s, according to the Department of Health.
Friday marks the first COVID-related death in Newfoundland and Labrador since late November.
There are 272 new cases in the Eastern Health region, including 98 people in their 20s or 30s. There are 92 new cases in the Labrador-Grenfell region, 37 in the Central Health region and 25 in the Western Health region.
There are also five cases reported from a private testing lab outside the regional health authorities.
All cases are under investigation.
In all, there are 1,746 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, as 113 recoveries were also reported. A total of 392,605 COVID tests have now been completed, up 3,705 from Thursday.
One person is in hospital with the virus.
Public health also announced Friday it will no longer issue possible COVID-19 exposure notices on a regular basis. They will only be shared in "exceptional circumstances," such as a high-risk exposure that could create a superspreader event.
As the level of transmission rises, public health said testing resources need to focus on those who are showing symptoms or their close contacts.
Meanwhile, COVID-19 testing challenges are still plaguing parts of Labrador.
Labrador-Grenfell Health said it's is aware of long lines and extended wait times at the drive-thru COVID-19 testing clinic in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The health authority said only those who are close contacts of an infected person and those who have been notified by public health will be swabbed on Friday.
Starting Jan. 1, testing will be done by appointment only.
"If you were in the line-up on Thursday, Dec. 30 and were asked to return on Friday, only return if you were contacted by public health," the health authority said in a media release.
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