No new COVID-19 cases in N.L. for 6th time in a week

There are nonew cases of COVID-19 in Newfoundland and Labrador Saturday.

It is the second consecutive daywith no new cases in the province, with just two cases in the past week.

According to a news release from the provincial government,the total number of cases in the province remainsat 261. By region, there are 243cases in the Eastern Health region, eightcases in the Central Health region, fourcases in the Western Health region and sixcases in the Labrador-Grenfellhealth region.

There are 14active cases of COVID-19 in the province, as 244people have recovered from the virus.Active cases are the total cases minus recovered cases and deaths.

By age, there are:

• 22 people with the virus 19 and under.
• 38 people between 20 and 39.
• 39 people between 40 and 49.
• 58 people between 50 and 59.
• 57 people between 60 and 69.
• 47 aged 70 and above.

Fourpeople are in hospital,with twoin intensive care. In all, 9,700people have been tested, up 108from the previous day.

The total number of COVID-19-related deaths in the province remains at three.

The province's daily briefings will resume Monday.

FaceTime, calls can go a long way over Mother's Day

Ahead of Mother's Day on Sunday, the province's health officials are asking the public the continue to observe health orders in placeand practise physical distancing.

Premier Dwight Ball encouraged everyone to talk to their mothers through methods like FaceTime or a phone call, adding that these kinds of conversations can go a long way in helping people feel connected during the pandemic.

During Friday's daily briefing, Ball also took the time to wish mothers across the province a happy Mother's Day, including his own mother Evelyn.

"I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day, and I look forward to speaking with you over the weekend," he said.

Ball also singled out another mother joining him at the table, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, the province's chief medical officer of health.

"She is one of the strongest individuals that I've come to know," he said.

"It's in times like [this], it takes her away from her family. So on behalf of all Newfoundlanders andLabradorians, I want to say thank you to Dr. Fitzgerald and to wish her a very happy and a healthy Mother's Day."

Fitzgerald ended her briefing remarks by sending a tearful happy Mother's Day message to moms across the province.

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