N.L. reports 14 new COVID-19 cases, all in Central Health region

Newfoundland and Labrador is reporting 14new cases of COVID-19 onSaturday, all in the Central Health region.

Seven of the new cases are people under the age of 20. There is also one casebetween 20 and 39, two people in their 40s, one in their 50s, two in their 60s, and one age70 or older.

The sources of all 14 cases areunder investigation. There are also 18 new presumptive positive cases.

With seven new recoveries, there are now 116active cases in the province.Twopeople are in hospital due to COVID-19.

There are 71 cases connected to a cluster in the Central Health region, an area now facing the latest outbreak of the virus in the province.

Saturday's update came via media release from the Health Departmentfollowing Friday's update, which pushed the province's active case count to levels not seen in more than six months.

A media release will also be issuedSunday, according to Health Minister John Haggie.

Haggie tweeted Saturday afternoon that more than 80 per cent of Newfoundland and Labrador'seligible population is now fully vaccinated. Over 88 per cent of those eligible have received at least one dose.

Testing continues

A total of 297,905tests have been done in Newfoundland and Labrador, up more than 3,600since Friday, as the push to identify new cases continues across the province.

Testing clinics are continuing in the Central Health region over the weekend, available atFraser Road United Church in Gander on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Testing is also available at the George Hawkins Memorial Arena in Twillingate on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

An appointment is not required at either testing site.

According to Western Health, people in Woody Point who require testing will be offered an appointment at the Woody Point medical clinic.

Rising cases havehad 'major impact': Twillingate mayor

Several Newfoundland communities are in Alert Level 3 as of Saturday, including Twillingate, New World Island and communities along Route 340, starting at and including Boyd's Cove.

Communities along routes 410 to 419 on the Baie VertePeninsularemain in Alert Level 3.

"It's not the kind of news we wanted here," Twillingate Deputy Mayor Wayne Greenham told CBC News on Saturday. "It's had a major impact this week on so many people."

While the rise in cases and increased public health restrictions can be frightening, Greenham said, he applauded residents for doing their part to limit further community spread.

He thanked the town's health-care and nursing staffin particular, who he said havetested at least600 people for COVID-19in the past 72 hours.

"That takes a toll on people. Emotionally, physically, mentally,you name it."

Greenham said schools in the community are open for the time being, but that could change by Monday. Nearby New World Island Academy in Summerfordsuspended in-person classes earlier this week following a positive COVID-19 case.

In the meantime, he encouraged residents to continue to follow public health guidelines, check in on family in the community and tocontact the townif they have questions or concerns.

"Hopefully there soon, we'll get this under control," Greenham said.

Exposure notices

Saturday's update also came with six new potential COVID-19 exposure sites. Anyone who visited these locations at the following dates and times should arrange for a COVID-19 test:

• Xheight Zone, 35 Catalina Dr., Gander onSept.11 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• McDonald's, 320 Airport Blvd., Gander onSept.11 from 4p.m.to 5:30 p.m. This does not apply to people who only used the drive-thru.
• The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 45, 7 Water St., Woody PointonSept.18 from 10p.m. to 10:45 p.m.
• Lomond River Lodge, Bonne Bay Road, Birchy Head on Sept.18 from 11 p.m.to 2:30 a.m. on Sept. 19.
• The Old Loft Restaurant, 8 Water St., Woody Pointon Sunday from 6:30 p.m. to 8p.m.
• Bonne Bay Health Centre cafeteria, 212 Main St., Norris Point on Tuesdayfrom noonto 1:15 p.m.

Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador