N.L. marks end of 2020 with no new cases of COVID-19 — and a new vaccine
Active caseload is now 17
This year brought anxiety, uncertainty and economic turmoil, but its tail end is supplying a glimmer of hope as the province continues to receive shipments of COVID-19 vaccines.
The latest of those landed in Happy Valley-Goose Bay on Thursday afternoon, according to federal Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regan, who announced it on Twitter.
The Moderna vaccine has landed in Labrador. <br><br>From Happy Valley-Goose Bay, they’ll be shipped out to communities along the Coast. <br><br>Not a bad way to start 2021.<br><br>Photos to follow 👇
—@SeamusOReganThese vaccines, the first to arrive in the province from Moderna, will be administered to isolated Indigenous communities throughout Labrador's north coast.
Another shipment is expected during the week of Jan. 11, for a total of 2,400 doses to be spread between Nain, Hopedale, Postville, Rigolet and Makkovik.
Makkovik will be the first community to receive the vaccination, Gerald Asivak, the Nunatsiavut government's health minister, told CBC News on Wednesday.
"Our plan right now is the health-care workers and the elderly within each community, aged 18 and up," Asivak said, with a vaccination rate of about 90 per cent.
More vaccinations are expected throughout the first quarter of 2021.
No new cases Thursday
Newfoundland and Labrador also reported no new cases of COVID-19, for the second straight day, to mark the end of 2020.
There has also been a new recovery, in the Eastern Health region, lowering the province's active caseload to 17, according to a press release.
One person is in hospital due to the virus. In total, 72,527 people had been tested as of Thursday's update, 380 more since Wednesday.
There will be no update from the province's Department of Health on Friday, because of the statutory holiday. COVID-19 updates will resume on Saturday.