N.S. moves testing to western region of the province
Rapid COVID-19 testing is on the move in Nova Scotia.
Monday's target was Yarmouth as that region is seeing cases climb.
"We do know Delta moves very easily, very quickly," infectious disease expert Dr. Lisa Barrett said.
Nearly 100 new cases have been reported since Friday and three more Nova Scotians have died.
Barrett calls the situation precarious.
"If we don't keep a lid on our cases, so to speak, and keep cases low, we will end up before Christmas running out of medication that we use to treat COVID patients with," Barrett said in an interview with CTV Atlantic.
The drug is also used to treat patients with arthritis. Drug manufacturer Roche Canada confirms supply for arthritis patients is secure but when used for COVID-19, it is facing a global supply shortage.
"We have about 25 doses of one of our main medications in this province and, because of worldwide shortages, we will not be getting any more expected until the New Year," Barrett said. "So we've used nine of those doses in the last week and a half are associated with one particular outbreak."
Barrett said Nova Scotians need to be more mindful of the size of the gatherings the types of gatherings that they have.
"One of the best places for COVID to spread as we head into this holiday time are indoor mass gatherings," Barrett said.
The best thing to do is to be vaccinated, but if you're not?
"Your second best thing to do if you are not vaccinated and have to be there is keep gathering sizes smaller and also take advantage of testing where you can."
Throughout the pandemic, epidemiologists say the hardest hit part of the province has always been the Central zone where Halifax is.
But recently, that's changed.
"What we're seeing right now is that while cases are somewhat elevated in the Halifax area, they're much more so in the northern and western zones," said epidemiologist Kevin Wilson.
The northern zone is home to East Cumberland Lodge, a nursing home where two people in their 80s have died.
The outbreak is linked to what public health has called a "multi-day faith-based event" in late October.
"This would be about that seven-, 10- 12-day point where we would expect that if people had an infection at the end of October they may end up getting sick and end up in hospital as well."
Experts are encouraging people to get vaccinated.
The lowest rate of vaccination is in the western zone, which was where testing was today.
LONG-TERM CARE HOME DECLINES INTERVIEW
CTV News requested an interview with East Cumberland Lodge Monday afternoon but it was declined.
"At this time my staff and I are focusing our efforts on providing the utmost quality of care to our residents," Andrew Holland said.
Later, the facility posted an update on its Facebook page, expressing condolences for those who passed.
"This marks the first passing of COVID-positive residents in our facility," it read, "As an organization and as a community we feel this loss, we mourn for those who are touched by this and reaffirm our commitment to doing all we can to protect our most vulnerable."
Christal MacKinnon's father Ken Pollock is one of 28 residents of East Cumberland Lodge who currently has COVID-19.
She was shocked and saddened to hear two residents have passed away and is urging people to get vaccinated.
"My deepest condolences to the parties involved. Thoughts and prayers for all staff and residents, and the community," said MacKinnon, "I plead with people to get the vaccine to protect all."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.