HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia reported three new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday.

The new cases are in the Central Zone, which includes the Halifax Regional Municipality. All three cases are under investigation.

"I am concerned about the recent increase in both the number of cases and public exposure notices," said Premier Stephen McNeil in a news release. "We cannot become complacent about this virus. That means we all must continue to follow public health protocols, including social distancing, wearing a mask, proper hand hygiene and limiting social contacts."

"Contact tracing and testing are important components of public health during a pandemic," said Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health for Nova Scotia. "As positive cases are investigated public health may learn a person spent time in community settings, like a restaurant, while infectious or potentially infectious. If they are unsure that all contacts have been found, they use a public exposure notice to ensure everyone that may have been a close contact is aware and monitoring their health or getting tested if directed." 

Three previously reported cases are now considered recovered, as the active number of cases in the province remains at 20.

According to the dashboard, Nova Scotia Health Authority’s lab completed 722 Nova Scotia tests on Saturday.

CASE BREAKDOWN

To date, Nova Scotia has had 116,870 negative test results, 1,128 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and 1,043 cases are now considered resolved. Sixty-five people have died as a result of the virus.

There is no one in hospital due to COVID-19.

The province's confirmed cases range in age from under 10 to over 90.

Sixty per cent of cases are female and 40 per cent are male.

There are cases confirmed across the province, but most have been identified in the Central Zone, which contains the Halifax Regional Municipality.

The provincial government says cumulative cases by zone may change as data is updated in Panorama, the province’s electronic information system.

The numbers reflect where a person lives and not where their sample was collected.

  • Western Zone: 58 cases
  • Central Zone: 939 cases
  • Northern Zone: 76 cases
  • Eastern Zone: 55 cases

POTENTIAL EXPOSURE ADVISORIES

Nova Scotia health has issued several advisories of potential COVID-19 exposure and are asking people who may have been exposed to arrange for testing.

  • Oct. 25: All Nations Full Gospel Church (Worshiping at Saint Andrew's United Church, 6036 Coburg Rd.) on Oct. 25 at 6:00 p.m.
    Montana's BBQ and Bar (196B Chain Lake Dr.) Oct. 25 from 6:00 p.m. to close. 
    Anyone present at these location during these times is asked to call 811 to arrange for COVID-19 testing whether they are symptomatic or not.
  • Nov. 1: BMO Soccer Centre (6 p.m. – 9 p.m.)
  • Nov. 2: Canada Games Centre (9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.),
    The Bitter End Martini Bar (9 p.m. – close)
    Public health is advising anyone who attended the Bitter End Martini Bar on Monday, Nov 2, from 9 p.m. to close, to immediately contact 811 to arrange testing, “regardless of whether they are symptomatic or not.”
  • Nov. 3: Braemar Drive Superstore (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.),
    Fit4Less Bedford (7:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.)
  • Nov. 4: Gahan House (7.45 p.m. – 11:45 p.m.),
    Halifax Transit Route 59 (1 p.m. – 2 p.m.)

Also on Sunday, N.S. health issued a correction for the seat numbers that may have been exposed on a Oct. 30 flight from Toronto to Halifax.

WestJet flight WJ 254 flew from Toronto to Halifax on Oct 30., departing from Toronto at 9:45 p.m., and landing in Halifax at 1 a.m. on Oct. 31.

N.S. health says passengers in rows 15-21, seats A, B, C are asked to call 811 for advice.

All other passengers on this flight should continue to self-isolate as required and self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus on this flight may develop symptoms up to, and including, Nov. 13. 

“The reason we really, really are interested in people without symptoms as well is that most people with COVID-19 don’t have symptoms at the beginning of their infection,” says Dr. Lisa Barrett.

Despite the recent rise in cases and potential exposure, most locals and visitors say they feel fairly comfortable in the Atlantic bubble.

“I’m feeling quite comfortable still, but I think definitely more on edge with the new cases, so I think it’s time to start being a lot more careful,” says Halifax resident Islay Wright.

“I’m actually from Newfoundland, just here for four days, and we have very few cases as well,” adds Danielle Aubut. “The Atlantic provinces as a whole have been handling it quite well, and everybody that’s coming in, they’re doing really well with contact tracing.”

“I would say that I’m still feeling pretty comfortable, but obviously when you look at the case rates and how rapidly they’re going up in some other jurisdictions, you have to stay concerned,” says Cyril Johnston, a New Brunswick resident visiting Halifax.

Dr. Barrett says she expects to see more cases of the virus.

“This is the exact time for us to be a little more diligent,” adds Dr. Lisa Barrett. “Not locked down, but to be super careful on what we’re doing, who we’re seeing, and remember, this virus is different from other viruses, you could be infected and not know it.”

She also adds that now is a good time to download Canada’s COVID-19 Alert App, which helps track potential exposures to the virus.

LIST OF SYMPTOMS

Anyone who experiences a fever or new or worsening cough, or two or more of the following new or worsening symptoms, is encouraged to take an online test or call 811 to determine if they need to be tested for COVID-19:

  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • Shortness of breath
  • Runny nose/nasal congestion

SELF-ISOLATION AND MANDATORY MASKS

Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 is required to self-isolate at home, away from the public, for 14 days.

Anyone who travels to Nova Scotia from outside the Atlantic region is required to self-isolate for 14 days and must fill out a self-declaration form before coming to the province.

However, the province has eased some self-isolation requirements for out-of-province rotational workers.

Residents of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador are not required to self-isolate when travelling to Nova Scotia, but they must be prepared to provide proof of their place of residency at provincial borders.

On Oct. 22, New Brunswick announced further restrictions related to a COVID-19 outbreak in the Campbellton-Restigouche region of northern New Brunswick. Nova Scotians are being advised to avoid unnecessary travel to that area.

Visitors from outside the Atlantic region who have already self-isolated in another Atlantic province for 14 days may travel to Nova Scotia without having to self-isolate again.

It is mandatory to wear a non-medical mask in most indoor public places in Nova Scotia.