N.S. reports 1 new COVID-19 related death Friday, 10 new hospital admissions
Nova Scotia reported one new death related to COVID-19 on Friday. The man in his 60s lived in the province's Western Zone.
"It's never easy to learn that another Nova Scotian lost their life because of this virus. I offer my sincere condolences to the family and friends grieving," said Premier Tim Houston in a news release.
"This has been a difficult week for our province. As we head into the weekend, please let this be a sad reminder to slow down your activities, minimize your contacts and follow the public health measures in place."
The province also reported 10 new hospital admissions and six discharges Friday.
There are 88 people in hospital who were admitted due to COVID-19 and are receiving specialized care in a COVID-19 designated unit.
Of the 88 people in hospital:
- 15 are in intensive care
- the age range is 35 to 100 years old
- the average age is 67
- the average length of stay of people admitted to hospital due to COVID-19 is 7.6 days
- 85 were admitted during the Omicron wave
The vaccination status of those in hospital is:
- 18 (20.5 per cent) people have had a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine
- 52 (59.1 per cent) are fully vaccinated (two doses)
- one (1.1 per cent) is partially vaccinated
- 17 (19.3 per cent) are unvaccinated
Public health says there are also two other groups of people in hospital related to COVID-19:
- 104 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
- 130 people who contracted COVID-19 after being admitted to hospital
VACCINATION UPDATE
Public health says 2,094,109 doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered as of Thursday.
Of those, 91.1 per cent of Nova Scotians have received their first dose, and 83.5 per cent have received their second dose.
As well, 52.1 per cent of Nova Scotians 18 and older have received a booster dose, and 6.1 per cent have booked a booster dose appointment.
CASES AND TESTING
Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) labs completed 3,670 tests Thursday and the province reported 620 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Friday.
The number of new cases broken down by zone are as follows:
- 319 cases in Central Zone
- 97 cases in Eastern Zone
- 98 cases in Northern Zone
- 106 cases in Western Zone
Public health says there are an estimated 4,316 active cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia.
HOSPITAL AND LONG-TERM CARE OUTBREAKS
Nova Scotia Health is reporting one new outbreak in a ward at the Halifax Infirmary site of the QEII Health Sciences Centre, where fewer than five patients have tested positive.
The health authority also announced additional cases related to outbreaks at three hospitals.
Those cases include:
- two additional patients in a ward at the Victoria General site of the QEII Health Sciences Centre, where fewer than 10 patients have tested positive
- one additional patient in a separate ward at the Halifax Infirmary site of the QEII Health Sciences Centre, where fewer than five patients have tested positive
- one additional patient in a ward at the Dartmouth General Hospital, where fewer than 10 patients have tested positive
The province also announced an outbreak at Victoria Manor – a long-term care facility in Amherst.
Public health says 21 residents and seven staff members at the home have tested positive for COVID-19.
"Public health is working with the facility to prevent further spread. Increased public health measures and restrictions are in place," states the province in the news release.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.