Negative COVID-19 test a relief for Lennox Island man
Clinic set up in Indigenous community out of precaution
Leslie Labobe said he had a "bit of a cough" a couple weeks ago, so he was relieved Saturday when he called the Lennox Island Health Centre and received his COVID-19 test result — negative.
The centre held a one-day testing clinic on Friday. On its Facebook page, it said there are no known cases of COVID-19 on Lennox Island, but encouraged residents to get tested out of precaution.
"It's a reassurance," Labobe said.
He said he went "just for security reasons" because of the "devastation that's happening across the country" and around the world.
77 active cases in N.B.
New Brunswick reported 23 new cases on Saturday and six more on Sunday, bringing its active total to 77. Nova Scotia reported 11 on Sunday and eight Saturday and now has 44 active cases.
P.E.I. has one known active case.
All of the test results from Lennox Island came back negative, said Chief Darlene Bernard.
Labobe said people in the community have been diligent about wearing masks and following other health measures requested by P.E.I.'s Chief Public Health Office.
Concerned about mental health
He said he is concerned, however, about the effect the pandemic has on mental health, especially with Christmas approaching and people not able to socialize as they normally would.
"I have a lot of friends that are going through a lot of mental health issues with anxiety and depression," he said. "And …we're social people and being isolated, especially if you live alone, you don't get that interaction with friends or family or the public."
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With files from Travis Kingdon