N.L. reports 9 new COVID-19 cases as hospitalizations jump

There are nine new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Newfoundland and Labrador on Saturday, as the number of people in hospital with the virus rises to levels not seen since early in the pandemic.

Six are located in the Central Health region, and range in ages from under 20 to over 70, according to Saturday's unexpected news release from Public Health.

There are now 87 cases confirmed cases connected to a cluster in Baie Verte, 59 cases connected to a cluster the Twillingate/New World Island area and 45 cases are part of a cluster in the area of Botwood and Bishop's Falls.

The cluster in Botwood and Bishops Falls is among a group of "closely socially connected" people, and as such, public health won't be increasing public health restrictions.  

"Given the cases in this cluster are epidemiologically linked, there is no need for a change in alert level at this time," Saturday's release reads.

"The public health investigation will continue to explore the possibility of community spread and make adjustments as necessary."

There are also three new cases in the Eastern Health region on Saturday.