Newfoundland and Labrador reports third death from COVID-19

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Three people in Newfoundland and Labrador have now died due to complications of COVID-19.

The latest is a 65-year-old man in the Eastern Health region. He had been admitted to hospital from his home, and had pre-existing medical conditions.

“With heavy hearts, we acknowledge the passing of a third person due to complications resulting from COVID-19, Premier Dwight Ball said in a statement late Thursday afternoon. “I extend my sincere condolences to the family and friends of this individual. We must continue to have an unflinching resolve to stop this virus before it can harm others.”

Chief Medical Officer Janice Fitzgerald and Health Minister John Haggie also offered their sympathy to the family.

Earlier in the afternoon, the tired-looking trio fielded their last round of reporter questions before the Easter Break. The Department of Health will still issue news releases to update COVID-19 numbers for the next three days.

Four new positive cases were reported Thursday, all in the Eastern and Central health regions. The total in the province is now 236.

Six people are still in hospital, two in ICU, while 96 have recovered from the illness.

Public health workers have tested 4,390 people so far, but the rate of testing may go up under new criteria that have yet to be finalized.

“We know there are many people who have the virus but have mild symptoms for which they would not normally seek medical attention,” Fitzgerald said. “Broadening testing criteria will allow more of these people to be identified.”

In the wake of wide varied outlooks released Wednesday, Fitzgerald and the others continued to emphasize the need for emergency health measures to stay in place.

“Our data shows that if we reach the peak of this virus too quickly, the result will be catastrophic for our province,” Fitzgerald said. ‘This is a stark but important message. The slower the curve rises, the better prepared we will be to respond.”

Haggie echoed those sentiments, but added the long-term scenarios provided Wednesday should not be taken as gospel. They are mostly useful for health authorities in their efforts to plan ahead.

“The problem with models is that they are educated guesses. It’s a crystal ball that is really not all that crystal clear,” he said.

Meanwhile, perhaps taking a cue from New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern, Ball talked directly to the province’s children at one point during the afternoon briefing.

“I can tell you indeed the Easter Bunny is an essential worker. A very important essential worker,” he assured them.

He said the Easter Bunny might “change things up” a bit this year, and do something other than bringing candy.

. “You can get some sweets sure almost any time during the year, but … getting a letter from the Easter Bunny — that is something very special. One for the memory bank.”