N.S. reports three COVID-19 deaths, including two tied to outbreak at care home

HALIFAX -

Nova Scotia is reporting three more COVID-19-related deaths Monday, including two that are connected to a long-term care facility at the centre of an ongoing outbreak.

Health officials said two people who died of the disease were residents in their 80s of the East Cumberland Lodge care home in Pugwash, N.S., and that the third death involved a woman in her 60s in the northern zone.

Officials say that since their last update Friday, eight more residents and four more staff members at the care home have tested positive, for a total of 38 infections tied to that facility.

CTV News requested an interview with a representative from East Cumberland Lodge Monday afternoon but it was declined.

“At this time my staff and I are focusing our efforts on providing the utmost quality of care to our residents,” Andrew Holland said.

Later, the facility posted an update on its Facebook page, expressing condolences for those who passed.

“This marks the first passing of COVID positive residents in our facility,” the statement read.

“As an organization and as a community we feel this loss, we mourn for those who are touched by this and reaffirm our commitment to doing all we can to protect our most vulnerable.”

Christal MacKinnon’s father, Ken Pollock, is one of 28 residents of East Cumberland Lodge who currently has COVID-19.

She was shocked and saddened to hear two residents have passed away and is urging people to get vaccinated.

“My deepest condolences to the parties involved. Thoughts and prayers for all staff and residents, and the community,” said MacKinnon, “I plead with people to get vaccine to protect all.”

EXPOSURE NOTICE FOR 11 SCHOOLS

Eleven schools have been notified of a COVID-19 exposure over the last three days.

“It is important to note that an exposure associated with a school does not mean there is spread within the school or that the initial case was first exposed to the virus in the school. As always, all staff, parents and guardians are notified of exposures if a positive case (student, teacher or staff) was at the school while infectious,” said N.S. Health in a release.

A list of schools with exposures is available online.

Officials are reporting 99 new cases of COVID-19 today and 190 more recoveries from the disease.

Nova Scotia has 265 active reported cases and 16 people in hospital with COVID-19, including seven in intensive care.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 15, 2021.