48 new cases of COVID-19 in N.L. as testing numbers hit another high

Newfoundland and Labrador is reporting 48 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday as the province's regional health authorities continue to ramp up testing after the coronavirus variant B117 was discovered inthe metro area.

All of the new cases are in the Eastern Health region.

There are also sixnew presumptive positive cases in the Eastern Health and Labrador-Grenfell Health regions since Wednesday. This is in addition to the 21 presumptive positive cases reported a day ago, and there are now46 presumptive positive cases awaiting confirmation, according to a Department of Health media release.

Presumptive positive cases are not added to the province's total active case count until they are confirmed by the public health laboratory. The Health Department said 17 of Thursday's new cases were previously presumptive cases.

There have been five new recoveries in the Eastern Health region and onein the Central Health region. The province has380 active cases, and there are two people in hospital, up from one on Wednesday.

In total, 3,122 peoplehave been tested for the fourth straight day, a new testing record in the last 24 hours. The total since March is now100,639.

By age, Thursday's cases look like this:

• 12 under 20 years old.
• 11 between 20 and 39 years old.
• 10 between 40 and 49 years old.
• 12 between 50 and 59 years old.
• Three over 70 years old.

As of Wednesday 16,458 doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered in the province. Of those,6,112 were second doses.

The province had received13,650 Pfizer-BioNTechdoses and7,300 Moderna doses as of Wednesday.

Mobile testing sites

Eastern Health has shut down itstemporary drive-thrutesting site at Mount Pearl SeniorHigh and moved it to the Reid Community Centre on Smallwood Drive in Mount Pearl.

In a media release thehealth authority said ithas successfully addressed the backlog of tests that resulted from the recentsurge.Because there is new testing capacity atthe Reid Centre, combined with capacity at the other testing sites such as the Janeway and Waterford hospitals, said the release,there is no longer a need for the site at Mount Pearl Senior High.

"If there is another surge, the school testing site can be ramped up quickly, if needed. This consolidated approach also allows us to redeploy staff to other areas of the organization to best meet patient needs," says the media release.

Testing is doneby appointment only. For anyonewho does not have access to a vehicle, Eastern Health said walkup appointments are available.

Western Health isholding a rapid testing clinic at the Valley Mall in Corner Brook from Thursday toMonday, and appointments are not required. Clinic hours are12 p.m. to8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday through to Monday.

In a media release, Western Health said anyonetested at the rapid testing clinic will receive notification of their test results by text or telephone within four hours. Anyone who istested at the rapid testing clinic is not required to self-isolate while waiting for their results.

Given the recent outbreak in the St. John's metro area, Western Health said it isparticularly interested in testing anyone who has travelled to the St. John's areasince Feb.3, and anyone who attends high school.

Western Health is asking anyone who has a single symptom of COVID-19, visited a location announced in a public health advisory or hasbeen in contact with someone who is positive for COVID 19 to stay clear of the rapid testing clinic, immediately self-isolate andcomplete self-assessment onlineor contact 811.

Central Health opened a rapid testing clinic in Grand Falls-Windsor on Wednesday for asymptomatic residents who have travelled from the region to the St. John's area since Feb. 1, as well as anyone who works at or attends Sprucewood Academy, Exploits Valley Highor Exploits Valley Intermediate.

Labrador-Grenfell Health opened a new testing site at the Makkovik Community Clinic for Thursday and Friday in collaboration with the Nunatsiavut government's Department of Health.

Appointments are not needed and residentscan get a test even if they have not travelled and do not show COVID-19 symptoms.

Labrador-Grenfell Health had three other testing sites operatinguntil 3 p.m. on Thursday in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador City and St. Anthony.

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