ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – Public health officials in Newfoundland and Labrador have concluded there was an undetected positive case of COVID-19 in the province.
Officials said Wednesday the source of an infection announced over the weekend still cannot be traced, and it’s now considered non-epidemiologically linked.
Chief medical officer of health Dr. Janice Fitzgerald says that means someone was sick and didn’t know it, or that they perhaps left the province.
The tiny town of Harbour Breton has been in a state of partial lockdown since Sunday as officials tried to chase down the source of the infection, and Fitzgerald says it will stay that way until the risk of transmission abates.
The province reported one new case of COVID-19 Wednesday, and officials say the infection is related to travel.
Public health officials also announced that beginning Thursday, informal gatherings with family and friends will be limited a maximum of 20 people, down from 50.
Newfoundland and Labrador is set to receive a shipment of 1,950 doses of the Pfizer vaccine next week and officials say they’re working to identify who will get the shots.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 9, 2020.