HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia is reporting four new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing the total number of active cases in the province to 20.

According to the province, all four cases are in the Central Zone, which includes Halifax.

Two of the new cases are related to travel outside Atlantic Canada. The other two cases are close contacts of previously reported cases.  

In a news release Saturday, it says the Nova Scotia Health Authority’s lab completed 933 Nova Scotia tests on Friday.

Public health also advised a number of completed and negative tests from labs outside the Central Zone are not included in Saturday’s testing numbers due to a technical issue. They say numbers will be updated when the issue is resolved and the information is available.

CASE BREAKDOWN

To date, Nova Scotia has had 116,300 negative test results, 1,125 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and 1,040 cases are now considered resolved.

Sixty-five people have died as a result of the virus.

There is no one in hospital due to COVID-19.

The province's confirmed cases range in age from under 10 to over 90.

Sixty per cent of cases are female and 40 per cent are male.

There are cases confirmed across the province, but most have been identified in the Central Zone, which contains the Halifax Regional Municipality.

The provincial government says cumulative cases by zone may change as data is updated in Panorama, the province’s electronic information system.

The numbers reflect where a person lives and not where their sample was collected.

  • Western Zone: 58 cases
  • Central Zone: 936 cases
  • Northern Zone: 76 cases
  • Eastern Zone: 55 cases

POTENTIAL EXPOSURE AT HALIFAX DOLLARAMA

Nova Scotia Public Health is warning the public of a potential exposure to COVID-19 at a Halifax Dollarama.

According to public health, the possible exposure at the Dollarama in Scotia Square Mall located at 5201 Duke Street happened Oct. 27 to Oct. 30 between noon and 3 p.m.

Public health says anyone who was at the store during these times should monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at this location on the named dates above may develop symptoms up to, and including, Nov 13.

POTENTIAL EXPOSURE ON HALIFAX-BOUND FLIGHT

In a news release Saturday, Nova Scotia Public Health also warned of a potential exposure on WestJet Flight WJ 254 on Oct. 30 from Toronto to Halifax.

They say the flight departed Toronto at 9:45 p.m., and arrived in Halifax at 1 a.m. on Oct. 31.

Originally, public health said the passengers in rows 39 to 45, and seats A, B, and C were more likely to have close contact.

On Sunday, they corrected that information, saying passengers in rows 15 to 21, and seats A, B, and C were more likely to have close contact. Passengers in these seats are being asked to call 811 for advice and continue to self-isolate.

Anyone who travelled on this flight may develop symptoms up to, and including Nov. 13.

Should any COVID-19 symptoms develop, they are directed to self-isolate and take the self-assessment online or to call 811 to get tested.

DELAYS IN DELIVERING NEGATIVE TEST RESULTS

Nova Scotia Health tweeted Friday that it is experiencing delays in delivering negative COVID-19 test results by email and issues have also affected its timeline to return calls from people who left messages on the toll-free line. It says it is working to resolve the issues.

According to the Nova Scotia Health Authority's website, results are typically delivered within 48 to 72 hours of testing. However, this week, some people have been waiting even longer to find out if they have COVID-19.

The province says negative test numbers will be updated when the issue is resolved and the information is available.

Nova Scotia has reported at least one new case of COVID-19 every day since Oct. 30. Several of those cases remain under investigation.

STATE OF EMERGENCY RENEWED UNTIL MID-NOVEMBER

The provincial state of emergency, which was first declared on March 22, has been extended to Nov. 15, unless the government terminates or extends it before then.

COVID ALERT APP

Earlier in October, Nova Scotia Health announced that Canada’s COVID-19 Alert app is now available in the province.

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 fever or new or worsening cough, or two or more of the following new or worsening symptoms, is encouraged to take an online test or call 811 to determine if they need to be tested for COVID-19:

  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • Shortness of breath
  • Runny nose/nasal congestion

SELF-ISOLATION AND MANDATORY MASKS

Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 is required to self-isolate at home, away from the public, for 14 days.

Anyone who travels to Nova Scotia from outside the Atlantic region is required to self-isolate for 14 days and must fill out a self-declaration form before coming to the province.

However, the province has eased some self-isolation requirements for out-of-province rotational workers.

Residents of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador are not required to self-isolate when travelling to Nova Scotia, but they must be prepared to provide proof of their place of residency at provincial borders.

On Oct. 22, New Brunswick announced further restrictions related to a COVID-19 outbreak in the Campbellton-Restigouche region of northern New Brunswick. Nova Scotians are being advised to avoid unnecessary travel to that area.

Visitors from outside the Atlantic region who have already self-isolated in another Atlantic province for 14 days may travel to Nova Scotia without having to self-isolate again.

It is mandatory to wear a non-medical mask in most indoor public places in Nova Scotia.