N.S. reports 7 more COVID-19 related deaths, increase in hospital admissions
Nova Scotia health officials are reporting an increase in COVID-19-related hospital admissions and a slight drop in deaths in the province's weekly update.
The province reported seven more deaths due to COVID-19 Thursday -- three fewer than the 10 reported last week.
Of the seven deaths, the province says all were people aged 70 or older.
The data released Thursday covers a seven-day period ending June 20.
Since the start of the Omicron wave, which began Dec. 8, 2021, Nova Scotia has reported 326 deaths related to COVID-19.
Since the start of the pandemic, the province has reported 438 COVID-19-related deaths.
The province says people aged 70 and older continue to be at highest risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19.
Since the start of the Omicron wave, the median age of hospitalizations is 71, while the median age of people who have died is 81.
According to health officials, the risk of hospitalization is nearly 11 times higher for people aged 70 and older, and the risk of death is about 115 times higher, compared to those under the age of 50.
HOSPITALIZATIONS
Health officials say 37 more people have been hospitalized with COVID-19 -- an increase of nine from the 28 new hospitalizations reported last week.
Of those currently in hospital:
- five are in ICU
- 13 per cent are unvaccinated
- The median age is 72
NEW CASES
Nova Scotia is reporting 1,420 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 -- 530 fewer cases than the 1,950 new cases reported last week.
Dr. Shelley Deeks, Nova Scotia's deputy chief medical officer of health, says it’s “encouraging” to see decreasing COVID-19 activity.
"We have learned a lot about this virus over the last two years. As the weather gets better, I encourage people to have gatherings outdoors where possible, continue to wash your hands, use cough and sneeze etiquette and, most importantly, if you're sick, stay home,” she said in a news release from the province.
VACCINES AND BOOSTERS
As of Thursday, 65.8 per cent of Nova Scotians aged 18 and older have received a booster dose and 74,159 people have received a second booster.
Second booster doses are available to residents of long-term and residential care facilities, adults 70 and over, 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.
The province says Nova Scotians who are not up to date on recommended vaccines are encouraged to receive all doses for which they are eligible.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.