N.S. reports 13 new COVID-19 related deaths, drop in new cases, hospitalizations
Health officials in Nova Scotia are reporting a decrease in new deaths, cases and hospitalizations in the province's weekly COVID-19 update.
The province announced 13 deaths due to COVID-19 Thursday -- 11 fewer than the 24 deaths reported last week.
The data released Thursday covers a seven-day period ending May 23.
Dr. Robert Strang, the province's chief medical officer of health says, although the pandemic isn't over, he's optimistic about what the summer may hold.
"I know we're all looking forward to reconnecting with friends, family and loved ones. There are ways to do that safely and in a way that protects those at high risk: gather outside when you can, stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines and, if you're sick, stay home," said Strang in a news release Thursday.
AGE CONTINUES TO BE A FACTOR
The province says age continues to be the factor most closely related to severe outcomes from COVID-19.
Since the start of the Omicron wave, which began Dec. 8, 2021, the median age of lab-confirmed cases is 43, while the median age of hospitalizations and deaths is nearly double, at 71 and 81 respectively.
The province says the risk of hospitalization is also 10 times higher for those aged 70 and older, compared to people under 50, and the risk of death is more than 110 times higher for individuals over the age of 70.
Of the 13 deaths announced this week, 11 people -- or 85 per cent -- were 70 or older, and seven people – or 54 per cent – lived in long-term care facilities.
Since the start of the Omicron wave, Nova Scotia has reported 279 deaths related to COVID-19, with a median age of 81.
Since the start of the pandemic, the province has reported 391 COVID-19-related deaths.
HOSPITALIZATIONS
Health officials say 40 more people have been hospitalized with COVID-19 -- a drop of 19 from the 59 new hospitalizations reported last week.
Of those currently in hospital:
- eight are in ICU
- 29 per cent are unvaccinated
- the median age is 72
NEW CASES
Nova Scotia is reporting 1,584 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 -- 929 fewer cases than the 2,513 new cases reported last week.
Since the start of the fifth wave, the median age of PCR-confirmed cases is 43.
VACCINES AND BOOSTERS
As of Thursday, 65.5 per cent of Nova Scotians aged 18 and older have received a booster dose and 59,631 people have received a fourth dose of vaccine.
Second booster doses are available to residents of long-term and residential care facilities, adults 70 and over living in the community, and members of First Nations communities who are 55 and older.
According to the province, evidence shows immunity gained from vaccines wanes more quickly among those aged 70 and older, which is why a second booster dose is recommended for that age group.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Six ballots, no winner: Assembly of First Nations election spills over to Thursday
Assembly of First Nations organizers sent delegates home without a new national chief late Wednesday after six rounds of balloting failed to produce a winner with enough votes to clear the 60 per cent threshold necessary for victory.
Sask. Second World War veteran honoured with France's highest order of distinction
Jim Spenst, 97, is the most recent Canadian to officially receive France's highest order of distinction: the insignia of Knight of the French National Order of the Legion of Honour.
Las Vegas shooting suspect was a professor who recently applied for a job at UNLV, AP source says
The man suspected of fatally shooting three people and wounding another at a Las Vegas university Wednesday was a professor who unsuccessfully sought a job at the school, a law enforcement official with direct knowledge of the investigation told The Associated Press.
PM pans Poilievre for 'pulling stunts' by threatening to delay MPs' holidays with House tactics
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is threatening to delay MPs' holidays by throwing up thousands of procedural motions seeking to block Liberal legislation until Prime Minister Justin Trudeau backs off his carbon tax. It's a move Government House Leader Karina Gould was quick to condemn, warning the Official Opposition leader's 'temper tantrum' tactics will impact Canadians.
'I'm so broken': Grieving family speaks out after B.C. cancer patient awaiting treatment chooses MAID
A devastated family says long waits for cancer treatment led a beloved father and grandfather to choose medically assisted death 13 days ago.
'I'm never going to be satisfied': Ontario 'crypto king' lands in Australia as associate flees to Dubai
Ontario’s self-described ‘crypto king’ just landed in Australia, the latest destination in a months-long travel spree he’s prolifically posted about on social media, despite ongoing bankruptcy proceedings tied to the more than $40 million scheme he allegedly operated.
Renowned scholar, with ties to Waterloo, Ont. university, reportedly killed with his family in Gaza
Sofyan Taya, a former guest scholar at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike near Gaza City. His friend and former colleague called him a brilliant and gentle soul.
One of the dwarf planets in our solar system is 'squishy' like 'soft cheese,' researchers say
A new study investigating the properties of one of the dwarf planets in our solar system has found that it might have a 'squishy' composition, closer to a 'soft cheese' than a hard ball of rock.
opinion Don Martin: Greg Fergus risks becoming the shortest serving Speaker in our history
House Speaker Greg Fergus could face a parliamentary committee inquisition where his fate might hang on a few supportive NDP votes. But political columnist Don Martin says this NDP support might be shaky, given how one possible replacement is herself a New Democrat.