HALIFAX -- The Nova Scotia Health Authority is warning the public about potential exposures to COVID-19 at a funeral home and fire hall in Pictou County.
The NSHA says anyone who visited the Eagles Funeral Home in Westville, N.S., or the Alma Fire Hall in Alma, N.S., on March 15 may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus.
Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, also discussed the case during a news conference Thursday afternoon.
“There was an individual who attended that event that was not symptomatic but subsequently became ill and tested positive,” said Strang.
“We now start contact-tracing people for the 48 hours before they became symptomatic and this individual was at this event in that 48-hour period before becoming ill.”
At this point, anyone who was exposed to COVID-19 would be past the 14-day period where they should self-monitor for symptoms of the virus.
However, anyone who was at those locations on March 15 and developed COVID-19 symptoms, such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing, after that date should still call 811.
The NSHA says that will help Public Health identify any connected cases and aid with containment efforts.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms you should:
- Take the COVID-19 online self-assessment questionnaire to determine if you need to call 811.
- If needed, call 811 for assessment. Please self-isolate until you receive 811 advice on next steps.
- Do not go directly to a COVID-19 assessment centre without being directed to do so by a family physician or 811.
All Nova Scotians are advised to continue monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms and are urged to follow Public Health guidelines on how to access care.
