N.L. reports three more deaths from COVID-19, hospitalizations hold steady at 20

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Three more people in Newfoundland and Labrador have died from COVID-19, bringing the total number of fatalities from the disease in the province to 34.

Fifteen of the province's 34 COVID-19-related deaths have occurred in the past three and a half weeks.

Health Minister John Haggie told reporters today the latest modelling indicates about 60 per cent of deaths assumed to be linked to the Omicron variant involved people who had received at least one dose of vaccine.

He says the oral antiviral COVID-19 medication recently approved by Health Canada has been prescribed once so far in the province.

Haggie adds that officials are working to make Paxlovid more widely available — perhaps through pharmacies — in the coming weeks.

He says the drug made by Pfizer isn't for everyone, as it must be used five days after the onset of symptoms and can react negatively with a host of other medications.

Officials say there are 20 people hospitalized in the province because of COVID-19, unchanged from Tuesday, though 60 more patients have been admitted to hospital for other reasons and since tested positive for the disease.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 26, 2022.

The Canadian Press