HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia is reporting five new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing active cases in the province to 11.

Two of the cases are in the Western Zone, two of the cases are in the northern zone, and one of the cases is in the central zone. Four of the cases are related to travel outside Atlantic Canada, while one is related to a previous case. All five cases are self-isolating.

With most of the new cases being related to travel, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Robert Strang, says leisurely travel might not be the best idea.

“These new cases show that with the second COVID-19 wave happening, travel outside the Atlantic Bubble is more risky,” said Strang in a release issued on Saturday. “Our recent new cases are all related to travel. Nova Scotians should reduce non-essential travel outside of the Atlantic Bubble. In addition, having all Nova Scotians following the public health measures reduces the chance of the virus spreading when it does get here.”  

CASE BREAKDOWN

The Nova Scotia Health Authority labs completed 652 Nova Scotia tests on Friday.

To date, Nova Scotia has 111,911 negative test results.

There are 1,109 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia, but 1,033 cases are considered resolved and 65 people have died.

There is no one in hospital as a result of COVID-19.

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

Sixty-one per cent of cases are female and 39 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: 924 cases
  • Northern zone: 72 cases
  • Eastern zone: 55 cases

STATE OF EMERGENCY RENEWED UNTIL MID-NOVEMBER

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

COVID ALERT APP NOW AVAILABLE

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.