N.S. reports three new deaths related to COVID-19 Thursday, 269 in hospital
Nova Scotia health officials reported three new deaths related to COVID-19 on Thursday.
Public health says the deaths involve:
- a woman in her 50s in the Central zone
- a woman in her 70s in the Northern zone
- a man in his 70s in the Eastern zone
"This virus has taken three more Nova Scotians, and I'm devastated for the families and friends they are leaving behind," said Premier Tim Houston. "Everyone needs to take the Omicron wave seriously and work together to protect our most vulnerable Nova Scotians, our health-care system and communities."
According to the province's COVID-19 online dashboard, there have been 128 deaths related to COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the three people who passed away," said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health. "The Omicron wave is different than those we encountered over the last two years, but there is no question that the virus is having very severe impacts on some people. Please do your part to prevent another loss. Follow restrictions and get your vaccine - whether it's your first, second or booster dose."
Nova Scotia health officials say there are a total of 269 people in hospital with COVID-19 on Thursday.
In a release, public health says 85 of those in hospital were admitted due to COVID-19 and are receiving specialized care in a COVID-19 designated unit.
Of the 85 in hospital:
- 12 are in intensive care
- the age range is zero to 100 years old
- the average age is 68
- the average length of stay of those admitted to hospital in Nova Scotia due to COVID-19 is 6.8 days
- 81 were admitted during the Omicron wave
The vaccination status of the 85 people who were admitted to hospital due to COVID-19 is as follows:
- 10 (11.8 per cent) people have had a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine
- 53 (62.4 per cent) are fully vaccinated (two doses)
- four (4.7 per cent) are partially vaccinated
- 18 (21.2 per cent) are unvaccinated
Public health says there are also an additional:
- 72 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
Since Wednesday, there have been 18 new hospital admissions in Nova Scotia and 11 discharges.
"It is important to note that less than 10 per cent of Nova Scotians are unvaccinated," reads a release from public health on Thursday.
VACCINE UPDATE
As of Jan. 19, 1,998,064 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered.
Of those, 90.7 per cent of Nova Scotians have received their first dose, and 83.2 per cent have received their second dose.
As well, 40.6 per cent of Nova Scotians aged 18 and older have received a booster dose and 9.8 per cent have booked a booster dose appointment.
CASES AND TESTING
On Wednesday, Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) labs completed 4,402 tests. An additional 696 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 are being reported.
There are an estimated 5,430 active cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia and the numbers by zone are as follows:
- 382 cases in the Central zone
- 95 cases in the Eastern zone
- 63 cases in the Northern zone
- 156 cases in the Western zone
The province did not provide the number of recoveries on Thursday.
HOSPITAL OUTBREAKS
The NSHA is reporting additional cases related to outbreaks at two hospitals.
Those cases include:
- three additional patients in a ward at Cape Breton Regional Hospital, where fewer than 10 patients have tested positive
- one additional patient in a ward at Valley Regional Hospital, where fewer than 10 patients have tested positive
The province is also reporting a new outbreak at Taigh Ne Mara, a nursing home in Glace Bay.
The province says one staff and one resident at the facility have tested positive for the virus.
"Public health is working with the facilities to prevent further spread. Increased public health measures and restrictions are in place," wrote public health in a release.
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
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Attack on prison van in France kills 2 officers, inmate escapes
Armed assailants killed two French prison officers and seriously wounded three others in an attack on a convoy in Normandy on Tuesday and an inmate escaped, officials said.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Significant police presence as Israeli flag flies at Ottawa City Hall
The Israeli flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark the country's national day, with plans to hold a private ceremony to mark Israel's Independence Day. There is a significant police presence at City Hall, including security barriers outside the main doors.
Hot history: Tree rings show that last northern summer was the warmest since year 1
The broiling summer of 2023 was the hottest in the Northern Hemisphere in more than 2,000 years, a new study found.
What to pack during an emergency
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.
Ellen DeGeneres addresses the 'hurtful' end of her talk show in new stand-up set
Ellen DeGeneres is reflecting on how her talk show came to an end in her newest Netflix special, 'Ellen's Last Stand ... Up Tour.'