ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — A 78-year-old man in eastern Newfoundland and Labrador is the province’s first victim of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chief medical officer Dr. Janice Fitzgerald confirmed the man had underlying medical conditions.
“They were admitted to hospital from their home. The individual was linked to the Caul’s Funeral Home cluster,” Fitzgerald said Monday.
“We offer our most heartfelt condolences to the family at this difficult time.”
The man was a retired police officer.
Fitzgerald did not specify what ailments the man had before being infected with the coronavirus, but she said those with heart conditions, diabetes and lung disease are most at risk of severe complications from the virus.
The man was one of 111 cases of COVID-19 in Newfoundland and Labrador connected to the Cauls Funeral Home cluster — the largest cluster of cases anywhere in the country. Of the 145 cases of COVID-19 in Newfoundland and Labrador, 75 per cent are linked to the two wakes held between March 15 and 17 in St. John’s.
Fitzgerald announced additional orders meant to protect the public from the spread of COVID-19.
“Until further notice, funeral services, visitation and wakes are prohibited. Burials and weddings will be limited to no more than five people, including the officiant,” she said.
“Retail outlets that remain open for essentials are to stop the sale of lottos, scratch tickets and break-open tickets in-store.”
Premier Dwight Ball says he spoke with the man’s son on Monday morning and passed condolences to the family.
“As we see the first death of a resident of our province due to complications of the COVID-19 virus, we now have a family in our province who is grieving and impacted at the greatest extent due to this virus,” Ball said.
“This is never where we want to be. Not today, not tomorrow, not into the future.”
COVID-19 DEMOGRAPHICS IN N.L.
Female: 55 per cent | Male: 45 per cent
Under 20: 13
20-39: 22
40-49: 23
50-59: 32
60-69: 29
70+: 29
Ball said now is the time for the entire province to adhere to the guidelines of the public health emergency, which was announced on March 18.
“Only travel within the province when it's essential. Don’t just drive around to get out of the house – stay inside, stay home,” said Ball.
“If you go out for essentials, like groceries, limit your visits to once a week. Don’t take the entire family with you – one person per family.”
Health Minister John Haggie said now is not the time to find loopholes around the public-health orders.
COVID-19 cases per region
Eastern Health: 139
Central Health: 3
Western Health: 1
Labrador-Grenfell Health: 5
“We have seen stories of people trying hard to circumvent the arrangements around visiting, for example, at acute care facilities. They take their elderly relative out on a day pass and then sit them in someone’s parlour and have 20 or 30 people troop through the house,” Haggie said.
“And then the patient goes back to the hospital. This is not sensible. In what world does it make sense?”
The public-health emergency in Newfoundland and Labrador is estimated to last until July.
Twitter @DavidMaherNL
