ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Dr. Janice Fitzgerald reported three new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Monday, March 8, 2021.
All the cases are in Eastern Health's region and all three are contacts of previously confirmed cases.
During Monday's update, the Chief Medical Officer of Health said despite the best efforts of public health officials, a source for a confirmed case in the Labrador-Grenfell region has not identified. Fitzgerald confirmed that all the individual's close contacts have been identified, testing is ongoing and there's been no evidence of community spread.
On the subject of testing, Fitzgerald said more than 2,000 COVID-19 tests have been performed since Friday night, many of them on asymptomatic people taking advantage of the voluntary testing clinics established late last week in St. John's, Mount Pearl, Burin, Harbour Grace and Clarenville. More clinics are set to open this week in Trepassey, Bonavista and Placentia.
People wishing to get tested can complete an online assessment or call 811. People using the online tool who are asymptomatic need to specify they are not symptomatic, but also that they are requesting a test due to a public health advisory.
"I encourage people of all ages to book a test, even if you are young and don't feel you are at risk," Fitzgerald said. "We know that many individuals tested during the outbreak were asymptomatic and yet were still able to transmit the virus.
"This surveillance testing is important. We need to have confidence that the risk of community spread is reduced before we can ease restrictions."
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