With stable hospitalization numbers, N.L. moving ahead with easing COVID-19 restrictions

As Newfoundland and Labrador slowly rolls back public health restrictions, the provinceis seeing an increase in COVID-19 activity, says the chief medical officer of health.

Dr. Janice Fitzgerald said increasing numbers are expected as the province heads toward the target date of March 14, when the Department of Health plans to remove all restrictions. Fitzgerald said masks will still be strongly recommended.

Fitzgerald said there have been 287 new cases reported since Wednesday, with 206 new recoveries, raising the province's known active caseload to 1,902.Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have dropped by one, to 17.

"Our hospitalization rate has remained relatively stable in the last few weeks and well within manageable levels," Fitzgerald said.

"We are therefore proceeding to lift more restrictions next week while we continue to closely monitor indicators."

Fitzgerald said public health restrictions were never meant to be permanent, and with Omicron the response is different. She said testing, isolation, vaccinations and personal protective measures will remain an important part of living with the virus.

"It's time to move out of crisis mode and begin a more sustainable approach to managing COVID-19 while we are able to do so," she said.

On Monday gyms and fitness facilities, restaurants and religious ceremonies wherethe province's vaccine passport is required were able to open to 75 per cent capacity. The limit on informal gatherings was raised to 25 people,and retail stores were able to open with no capacity restrictions.

More restrictions are scheduled to ease on March 7.

Watch the full Feb. 24 update:

Closecontact changes

As of Friday, asymptomatichousehold contacts of positive cases who are fully vaccinatedcan follow a modified five-day isolation protocol, which includestesting. They can attend work, school, daycare and after-school programsbut must otherwise self-isolate.

Household contacts who are not fully vaccinated must fully self-isolate for seven days, a change from the previous 10-day rule.

"If you have had a COVID infection in the last three months, you do not need testing, and only isolate if you develop symptoms," said Fitzgerald.

For asymptomatic non-household contacts, there are no self-isolation or testing requirements. However, for one week after the last contact of the person who has COVID-19, they must monitor for symptoms, wear a mask outside their home and avoid crowdedareas unless it's necessary for theirjob. If they develop symptomsthey should seek testing and self-isolate.

Symptomatic non-household contacts must fully self-isolate and follow testing instructions. If they test negative, they can leave isolation when symptoms have improved, if they've had no fever for at least 24 hours.

Health Minister John Haggie said the changes are based on "sound public health advice."

Fitzgerald said she understandspeople are concernedthat easingrestrictions increases the risk for elder family members in health-care facilities who arevulnerable to COVID-19 but said there's also a risk of them not getting the care they need if there aren't enough workers available if restrictions aren't loosened.

"We've looked at this very carefully," she said. "The people who are household contacts are getting tested. It's not without any precaution. We are checking for COVID."

Haggie said 1,030 health-care workers are in isolation as of Thursday,221 of them COVID-19 positive.

Testing and travel changes

There will also be changes to the online application to book PCR tests, which willnow be called the online self-assessment and test reporting tool.

People can use it to report their own COVID-19 rapid test results. Fitzgerald said reporting test results is voluntary.

"We have several indicators that help us gauge the level of COVID activity, and this will compliment those measures," she said.

Haggie said provincial travel restrictions will also lift on Monday, meaning travellers from within Canada are no longer required to self-isolate, complete testing or complete the province's travel form.

He said rapid test kits will no longer be distributed to travellers aboardMarine Atlantic ferries or in the province's airports. Border screeners will also be shifted back to their regular jobs.

"We know that the virus is endemic here. It's everywhere, and the biggest source is probably the people in the province rather than necessarily travellers," Haggie said.

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