HALIFAX -- Health officials in Nova Scotia are reporting two new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday.

The individuals are both in the province's Central zone and their cases are connected to previously reported infections.

Public health says both people are self-isolating, as required.

“Outbreaks in neighbouring provinces are a reminder of how quickly COVID-19 can take hold and spread,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health.

“Only you can prevent this from happening here. Please continue to be vigilant and follow public health measures to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community.”

Nova Scotia currently has 11 active cases of the novel coronavirus.

TWO MORE U.K. VARIANT CASES CONFIRMED

On Wednesday evening, public health confirmed two more cases of the U.K. variant of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia.

The individuals – who are in the Central zone – originally tested positive for COVID-19 in January. Samples from their tests were then sent to the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg for variant testing.

Both people have self-isolated and recovered.

In an abundance of caution, the province’s top doctor is asking anyone connected to these cases to get retested. The Nova Scotia Health Authority also reissued a potential exposure notice connected to the two cases.

To date, Nova Scotia has confirmed three U.K. variant cases and one South African variant case.

“Yesterday’s news of two more cases of a COVID-19 variant being in our province last month is yet another reminder that we must remain vigilant in the battle against the virus,” said Premier Stephen McNeil in a news release on Thursday.

“Following all the public health protocols is the way we can protect each other and keep our case numbers low.”

N.S. CASE DATA

The Nova Scotia Health Authority’s labs completed 1,488 tests on Wednesday.

Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 175,462 tests. There have been 501 positive COVID-19 cases and no deaths. Cases have ranged in age from under 10 to over 70. Four-hundred-and-ninety cases are now resolved.

There is currently one person in hospital due to COVID-19 who is in the intensive care unit.

Since the pandemic began, Nova Scotia has completed 298,640 tests. Cumulatively, there have been 1,590 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 1,514 cases considered recovered.

The province has reported 65 COVID-19 related deaths since the pandemic began, with an average age of 80.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the province’s confirmed cases range in age from under 10 to over 90.

Fifty-five per cent of cases are female, and 45 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: 94 cases (1 active cases)
  • Central Zone: 1,290 cases (10 active cases)
  • Northern Zone: 127 cases (no active cases)
  • Eastern Zone: 79 cases (no active case)

The provincial state of emergency, which was first declared on March 22, 2020, has been extended to Feb. 21, 2021.

POTENTIAL EXPOSURE NOTIFICATION

Anyone who was at the following location on the specified date and time should immediately visit covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/ to book a COVID-19 test, regardless of whether or not they have COVID-19 symptoms. You can also call 811 if you don’t have online access or if you have other symptoms that concern you.

  • Sobeys (210 Wyse Rd, Dartmouth)
  • Feb. 1 between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
  • May develop symptoms up to, and including, Feb. 15.

All potential exposure notifications are listed here.

VACCINE UPDATE

Nova Scotia's COVID-19 online dashboard provides an update on the amount of vaccines that have been administered to date.

As of Wednesday, 21,032 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered so far, with 6,272 Nova Scotians having received a second dose.

Of the vaccines administered, 10,541 were health care workers, and 1,862 were long-term care residents.

The province has received 34,800 doses of vaccine, and are holding 8,853 for a second dose as of Feb. 8. A shipment of 1,950 more doses is anticipated this week.

NEW SELF-ISOLATION RULES FOR TRAVELLING FROM NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

With an outbreak reported this week in Newfoundland and Labrador, health officials in Nova Scotia say effective Wednesday, people entering Nova Scotia from N.L. need to complete the Nova Scotia Safe Check-In form before arriving and immediately quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Nova Scotians returning from N.L. must also self-isolate for 14 days, unless they are exempt from the order.

Public health says some people are exempt from the self-isolation order if they do not have symptoms. Those people include:

  • certain workers who must travel for their jobs
  • people who are dropping off or picking up a child within about 24 hours as part of a legal custody agreement
  • people traveling to and from essential health services, with accompanying support people
  • people can participate in a legal proceeding but must otherwise self-isolate

"Specialized workers doing critical urgent work that cannot be done by anyone in Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island can enter Nova Scotia to do their work but must otherwise self-isolate," wrote Nova Scotia Public Health, in a news release on Tuesday.

Public health is also advising anyone who visited Newfoundland and Labrador since Jan. 26 to get tested immediately and consider a second test five or seven days later. These people should self-isolate while waiting for test results.

“Travel has been the main source of cases in Nova Scotia and we continue to ask people not to travel unless it’s absolutely necessary,” said Dr. Strang. “This is a time to explore our own province and support local business rather than traveling outside Nova Scotia.”

Strang says Nova Scotians planning to travel to Newfoundland and Labrador should only do so for essential purposes.

"Rotational workers who work outside Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island have a modified form of self-isolation when they return home. They must get tested on day one or two of their isolation and again on day six, seven or eight," wrote the province in a Tuesday news release.

NOVA SCOTIANS ENCOURAGED TO SEEK ASYMPTOMATIC TESTING

Public health is strongly encouraging Nova Scotians to seek asymptomatic COVID-19 testing, particularly if they have attended several social interactions, even with their own social circle.

COVID-19 tests can be booked through the provinces online self-assessment COVID-19 tool, or by calling 811.

People can also visit one of Nova Scotia’s many rapid pop-up testing sites that continue to operate throughout the province.

COVID ALERT APP

Canada’s COVID-19 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 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