N.S. reports four more deaths related to COVID-19; 73 in hospital due to virus Monday
Health officials in Nova Scotia are reporting four new deaths related to COVID-19 on Monday.
Public health says the deaths involve:
- a man in his 40s in the Central zone
- a man is his 70s in the Central zone
- a man in his 80s in the Eastern zone
- a woman in her 90s in the Central zone
"I'm saddened to learn that four more Nova Scotians lost their lives because of this virus, and I offer my deepest condolences to those grieving," said Premier Tim Houston. "We need to stay vigilant and minimize non-essential activities to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our province. We all have a part to play. We can do this by getting vaccinated as soon as possible, following public health measures and reducing activities."
According to the province's online COVID-19 dashboard, there have been 121 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.
Fifteen more people have been admitted to hospital in Nova Scotia due to COVID-19, and 12 others have been discharged since Friday.
In a news release Monday, public health says there are currently 73 people in hospital who were admitted due to COVID-19 and are receiving specialized care in a COVID-19 designated unit.
Of the 73 in hospital:
- 13 people are in intensive care
- the average age is 67
- 70 were admitted during the Omicron wave
Health officials say the average length of stay for those admitted to hospital in Nova Scotia is six days.
The vaccination status of those in hospital is as follows:
- eight (11.0 per cent) people have had a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine
- 45 (61.6 per cent) are fully vaccinated (two doses)
- five (6.8 per cent) are partially vaccinated
- 15 (20.5 per cent) are unvaccinated
Public health says there are also two other groups of people in hospital related to COVID-19, which includes:
- 64 people who were identified as positive upon arrival at hospital but were admitted for another medical reason, or were admitted for COVID-19 but no longer require specialized care
- 112 people who contracted COVID-19 after being admitted to hospital
As of Monday, less than 10 per cent of Nova Scotians are unvaccinated.
"COVID-19 is in every corner of our province. We need to work together and continue to follow the advice of public health to protect our healthcare system, long-term care homes and our most vulnerable Nova Scotians," said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health.
VACCINE UPDATE
As of Sunday, Jan. 16, 1,950,167 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered.
Of those, 90.6 per cent of Nova Scotians have received their first dose, and 83.1 per cent have received their second dose.
To date, health officials say 35.1 per cent of Nova Scotians aged 18 and older have received a booster dose and 11.6 per cent have booked a booster dose appointment.
OUTBREAKS UPDATE
Nova Scotia Health is reporting a new outbreak in a ward at Valley Regional Hospital in Kentville, where fewer than 10 patients have tested positive.
The health authority is also reporting additional cases related to outbreaks in four hospitals.
The additional cases involved are:
- one additional patient in a ward at Northside General Hospital in North Sydney; fewer than 10 patients have tested positive
- one additional patient in a separate ward at Northside General Hospital; fewer than five patients have tested positive
- one additional patient in a separate ward at Northside General Hospital; fewer than 10 patients have tested positive
- one additional patient at Colchester East Hants Health Centre; fewer than 10 patients have tested positive.
"All patients are being closely monitored and other infection prevention and control measures are being put in place. NSHA will provide a further update when more information is available," read a release from public health.
TESTING AND CASES
On Sunday, Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) labs completed 2,275 tests.
Public health also identified an additional 495 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Of the new cases:
- 227 are in the Central zone
- 89 are in the Eastern zone
- 31 are in the Northern zone
- 148 are in the Western zone
Health officials say from Jan. 15 to Jan. 16, 44 of 1,323 positive lab results were repeat positives.
The province did not provide the number of recoveries on Monday.
Nova Scotia estimates there are 5,736 active COVID-19 cases in the province as of Monday.
COVID ALERT APP
Canada’s COVID Alert app is available in Nova Scotia.
The app, which can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or Google Play, notifies users if they may have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
LIST OF SYMPTOMS
Anyone who experiences a new or worsening cough, or who has two or more of the following symptoms, needs to self-isolate and take an online COVID-19 self-assessment test, or call 811, to determine if they need to be tested for COVID-19:
- fever (chills, sweats)
- sore throat
- headache
- shortness of breath
- runny nose/nasal congestion
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.