N.L. marks end of 2020 with no new cases of COVID-19 and a new vaccine - Action News
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N.L. marks end of 2020 with no new cases of COVID-19 and a new vaccine

As a federal MP announced the arrival of the Moderna vaccine in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, the province reported nonew cases of COVID-19 for the second day in a row.

Active caseload is now 17

The first doses of the Moderna vaccine arrived in Labrador on Thursday afternoon. (PAL Airlines)

This year brought anxiety, uncertainty and economic turmoil, but its tail end is supplying a glimmer of hope as theprovince continues to receive shipments ofCOVID-19 vaccines.

The latest of those landed in Happy Valley-Goose Bay on Thursday afternoon, according to federal Natural Resources MinisterSeamus O'Regan, who announced it onTwitter.

These 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 betweenNain, Hopedale, Postville,Rigolet and Makkovik.

Makkovikwill 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 nonew cases of COVID-19, for the second straight day,to mark the end of2020.

There has also been a new recovery, in the Eastern Health region, lowering the province's active caseload to 17, according to a pressrelease.

One person is in hospital due to the virus. In total, 72,527people had been tested as of Thursday's update,380more 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.

Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador