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

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

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

There are now 87 ccases connected to a cluster in Baie Verte, 59 cases connected to a cluster in the Twillingate/New World Island area and 45 cases in 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, says the provincial government.

"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.

With 19 new recoveries and a previous case deemed to be afalse positive in the Eastern Health region,the province's active caseload has dropped to 169.

Twelve people arein hospital due to COVID-19, including five in critical care. The number of hospitalizations is the province's highest since April 2020.

Four new presumptive positive cases were also reported Saturday.

A total of 309,457 COVID tests have now been completed across Newfoundland and Labrador, including1,444 since Friday.

Exposure notices

Public health also shared two potential COVID-19 exposure sites in Springdaleon Saturday, asking anyone who visited the following locations at the dates and times listed to book a COVID-19 test:

• Robin's Donuts, 13 Little Bay Rd. on Sept.21 from 11:30 a.m. to 12p.m.
• Marie's Restaurant, 63 Little Bay Rd.on Sept.25 from 12p.m. to 1p.m

People who visited these locations and have symptoms of COVID-19 are required to self-isolate until 24 hours after their symptoms resolve and they receive a negative test result.

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