Eastern Health is implementing measures in preparation for a possible COVID-19 outbreak in the province.

In an internal memo to Eastern Health staff acquired by VOCM, Eastern Health says an Emergency Operations Centre has been established, and a COVID-19 assessment clinic is being set up at the Waterford Hospital which is expected to be up and running by next week.

In the meantime, annual leave will not be approved for the next six weeks, while leave that has already been approved may go ahead. The measure was taken in preparation for an anticipated increase in demand for service in the health care system.

Eastern Health is also limiting face-to-face meetings and is taking a look at rescheduling large-scale events.

An algorithm is also being developed to screen for potential cases of COVID-19.

You can read the internal memo sent out by Eastern Health below: