N.S. reports four more deaths related to COVID-19; 73 in hospital due to virus Monday
Health officials in Nova Scotia are reporting four new deaths related to COVID-19 on Monday.
Public health says the deaths involve:
- a man in his 40s in the Central zone
- a man is his 70s in the Central zone
- a man in his 80s in the Eastern zone
- a woman in her 90s in the Central zone
"I'm saddened to learn that four more Nova Scotians lost their lives because of this virus, and I offer my deepest condolences to those grieving," said Premier Tim Houston. "We need to stay vigilant and minimize non-essential activities to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our province. We all have a part to play. We can do this by getting vaccinated as soon as possible, following public health measures and reducing activities."
According to the province's online COVID-19 dashboard, there have been 121 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.
Fifteen more people have been admitted to hospital in Nova Scotia due to COVID-19, and 12 others have been discharged since Friday.
In a news release Monday, public health says there are currently 73 people in hospital who were admitted due to COVID-19 and are receiving specialized care in a COVID-19 designated unit.
Of the 73 in hospital:
- 13 people are in intensive care
- the average age is 67
- 70 were admitted during the Omicron wave
Health officials say the average length of stay for those admitted to hospital in Nova Scotia is six days.
The vaccination status of those in hospital is as follows:
- eight (11.0 per cent) people have had a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine
- 45 (61.6 per cent) are fully vaccinated (two doses)
- five (6.8 per cent) are partially vaccinated
- 15 (20.5 per cent) are unvaccinated
Public health says there are also two other groups of people in hospital related to COVID-19, which includes:
- 64 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
- 112 people who contracted COVID-19 after being admitted to hospital
As of Monday, less than 10 per cent of Nova Scotians are unvaccinated.
"COVID-19 is in every corner of our province. We need to work together and continue to follow the advice of public health to protect our healthcare system, long-term care homes and our most vulnerable Nova Scotians," said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health.
VACCINE UPDATE
As of Sunday, Jan. 16, 1,950,167 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered.
Of those, 90.6 per cent of Nova Scotians have received their first dose, and 83.1 per cent have received their second dose.
To date, health officials say 35.1 per cent of Nova Scotians aged 18 and older have received a booster dose and 11.6 per cent have booked a booster dose appointment.
OUTBREAKS UPDATE
Nova Scotia Health is reporting a new outbreak in a ward at Valley Regional Hospital in Kentville, where fewer than 10 patients have tested positive.
The health authority is also reporting additional cases related to outbreaks in four hospitals.
The additional cases involved are:
- one additional patient in a ward at Northside General Hospital in North Sydney; fewer than 10 patients have tested positive
- one additional patient in a separate ward at Northside General Hospital; fewer than five patients have tested positive
- one additional patient in a separate ward at Northside General Hospital; fewer than 10 patients have tested positive
- one additional patient at Colchester East Hants Health Centre; fewer than 10 patients have tested positive.
"All patients are being closely monitored and other infection prevention and control measures are being put in place. NSHA will provide a further update when more information is available," read a release from public health.
TESTING AND CASES
On Sunday, Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) labs completed 2,275 tests.
Public health also identified an additional 495 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Of the new cases:
- 227 are in the Central zone
- 89 are in the Eastern zone
- 31 are in the Northern zone
- 148 are in the Western zone
Health officials say from Jan. 15 to Jan. 16, 44 of 1,323 positive lab results were repeat positives.
The province did not provide the number of recoveries on Monday.
Nova Scotia estimates there are 5,736 active COVID-19 cases in the province as of Monday.
COVID ALERT APP
Canada’s COVID Alert app is available in Nova Scotia.
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 new or worsening cough, or who has two or more of the following symptoms, needs to self-isolate and take an online COVID-19 self-assessment test, or call 811, to determine if they need to be tested for COVID-19:
- fever (chills, sweats)
- sore throat
- headache
- shortness of breath
- runny nose/nasal congestion
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING 9 suspects arrested in gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport: Peel police
Nine people have been arrested in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year, Peel Regional Police announced Wednesday.
Some of the winners and losers in the 2024 federal budget
With a variety of fiscal and policy measures announced in the federal budget, winners include small businesses and fintech companies while losers include the tobacco industry and Canadian pension funds.
Gas prices across Ontario expected to climb to levels not seen since 2022, analyst says
Ontario is going to see a big jump at the pumps later this week as gas prices in the province hit levels not seen in nearly two years, according to one industry analyst.
Canada is expected to win 22 medals at the Paris Olympics
Canada is expected to win a total of 22 medals, including six gold, at the Paris Summer Olympics, which open on July 26.
500 Newfoundlanders wound up on the same cruise and it turned into a rocking kitchen party
A Celebrity Apex cruise to the Caribbean this month turned into a rocking Newfoundland kitchen party when hundreds of people from Canada's easternmost province happened to be booked on the same ship.
Liberals must now sell a budget they say will help younger Canadians catch up
It's now up to the federal Liberal government to sell a spending plan it says will help younger Canadians catch up to their elders.
Father of boy accused of stabbing 2 Australian clerics saw no signs of extremism, Muslim leader says
The father of a boy accused of stabbing two Christian clerics in Australia saw no signs of his son’s extremism, a Muslim community leader said on Wednesday as police began arresting suspected rioters who besieged a Sydney church demanding revenge.
Ontario woman out $30K after investing in mortgage company accused of being unlicensed
An Ontario nurse is fighting to recover tens of thousands of dollars in savings she invested in a mortgage company that has since been accused of operating without a licence.
Young New Brunswick songwriter makes appearance on 'The Kelly Clarkson Show'
Eight-year-old songwriter Zuri Hamilton from Miramichi, N.B., got to show off her talent on 'The Kelly Clarkson Show' on Monday.