N.L. reports 2 new cases of COVID-19 as testing reaches 70,000 people

There are twonew cases of COVID-19 being reported in Newfoundland and Labrador on Sunday, a day after the province saw its largest single-day increase since April 6.

Both new cases are travel-related and are residents of the province.

The first is a man in his 50s in the Eastern Health region who returned to the province from work in the United States..

The second is a man in the Central Health region, also in his 50s, who returned to the province from work in Alberta.

In a media release, the Department of Health said both men are self-isolating and contact tracing is underway.

There were also two new recoveries on Sunday in the Eastern Health region, holding the province's active caseload at 31.

As of Sunday,70,180people have been tested in the province, an increase of 310 in the last 24 hours.

One person is hospital due to the virus. There have been 344 recoveries since March.

On Sunday, the Department of Health alsogave an update on three cases that were under investigation a day ago.

The department said the investigation is finished and all three cases are travel-related. One person had returned to the province from work in Saskatchewan and a second returned from work in Alberta. The third case was related to international travel.

Passengers on 6 flights should seek testing

Over the weekend, the health department also issued several advisories related to air travel. The department said advisories are issued out of an abundance of caution after travel-related cases of COVID-19.

Passengers who have travelled on any of the following flights are being asked to call 811 to arrange for COVID-19 testing:

• Air Canada Flight 8862 from Halifax to Gander onDec. 7.
• Air Canada Flight 690 from Toronto to St. John's onDec.11.
• Air Canada Flight 8862 from Halifax to Gander onDec.11.
• Air Canada Flight 8862 from Halifax to Gander onDec. 15.
• Air Canada Flight 690 from Toronto to St. John's on Dec.15.
• Air Canada Flight 690 from Toronto to St. John's onDec.17.

"In order to identify cases of COVID-19 in the province, it is important for passengers who have travelled here on the identified flights to come forward for testing. Testing helps public health identify cases and starts the contact tracing process, which helps to reduce the risk of spread," reads press release from the Department of Health.

"Even if someone receives a negative test result, public health encourages all passengers to continue monitoring themselves for symptoms for a full 14 days from the time of their arrival in the province."

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