News Release – September 30, 2020
Labrador-Grenfell Health is reassuring the public that it has quickly enacted its emergency preparedness plans for COVID-19 following confirmation of a new case of an Essential Health Care Employee in the region on September 30.
The Labrador-Grenfell Health team immediately responded to the test result and began contact tracing procedures. Individuals at risk were immediately identified, received COVID-19 testing and began quarantine.
It was confirmed that the individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 had recently visited the following two public stores in Happy Valley-Goose Bay:
Terrington Co-Op The Bargain Store
September 22, 2020 September 23, 2020
4:30 – 6:30 p.m. 3:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Individuals who have visited the above locations during the times identified may receive COVID-19 testing at a drive-through clinic beginning October 1, 2020. The testing clinic will be located behind the Labrador Health Centre with signage directing traffic. Delays in traffic flow may be experienced. The drive-through clinic will operate daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. until further notice. Individuals seeking testing are reminded to please bring their MCP card and an identification card to the drive-through clinic.
No appointment is required to be tested at the drive-through clinic from October 1 to October 3. Individuals seeking testing on or after October 4 must call 811 to determine if an appointment is needed. Anyone who is unable to receive testing via the drive-through clinic should contact 811 to make other arrangements for testing. Those who are tested will be provided with instructions on isolating while waiting for test results.
Labrador-Grenfell Health has internal processes in place for employees who report symptoms of COVID-19. The health authority has contacted staff who potentially had contact with the positive case and are taking necessary measures to prevent the spread of the illness.
The Labrador-Grenfell Health Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Thomas Piggott reassures the public that the risk of transmission around the newly confirmed case is low and has implemented these measures as further precautions in the prevention of COVID-19 in our region.
As a health authority which serves a rural and remote population, Labrador-Grenfell Health relies on locum support of health professionals from outside our region. Sometimes those professionals come from outside of the province. Labrador-Grenfell Health follows guidelines outlined by the Department of Health and Community Services and the Chief Medical Officer of Health around essential healthcare workers to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This process has been successful, and we continue to take great care in ensuring we protect the health and safety of our communities.
Labrador-Grenfell Health confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on March 14, 2020. The region has now had a total of seven confirmed cases, with the last case being confirmed on April 3, 2020. Current COVID-19 restrictions at Labrador-Grenfell Health facilities are available at www.lghealth.ca/covid-19. For up-to-date information around the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19.
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Media Contact:
Amanda MacNeil, Regional Director of Communications
Labrador-Grenfell Health
Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL
Tel: (709) 897-3102
E-mail: amanda.macneil@lghealth.ca