Nova Scotia reports 14 new COVID-19 cases Thursday; moves up second doses
Nova Scotia is reporting 14 new COVID-19 cases and nine recoveries on Thursday, as the province announces plans to move up second doses.
Public health says 12 of the new cases are in the province’s Central zone. Eleven are close contacts of previously reported cases and the other is under investigation.
One new case is in the Eastern zone, involving a close contact of a previously reported case.
One new case is in the Western zone and is related to travel.
No new cases were reported in the province's Northern zone on Thursday.
Public Health says there is now “limited community spread” in the Central zone. The Eastern, Northern and Western zones continue to be closely monitored for community spread.
MOVING UP SECOND DOSES
Nova Scotia says it is speeding up the delivery of second doses as the province is set to receive a large shipment of vaccine in the coming weeks.
Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health, says Nova Scotia is on tap to get 400,000 doses of vaccine, most of which are Moderna.
"This is a dramatic surge in our supply and well above the maximum we anticipated," said Strang. "But ultimately, it’s a game changer."
It means every one will get their second doses much earlier than originally scheduled.
Strang said planning is underway and public health will have more concrete information in the days ahead.
The surge in supply could mean expanding all areas of vaccine delivery, including longer clinic hours, more people and possibly more clinics.
Strang also said during Thursday's live COVID-19 news conference that he has heard of some people holding off on their second dose of vaccine to wait for a Pfizer shot.
He says it's a move he advises against given the next vaccine shipment will include less Pfizer and more Moderna.
"Regardless of what vaccine you got for your first dose, take the first available appointment for Moderna or Pfizer," said Strang.
Strang added the sooner we can see 75 per cent of Nova Scotians with both COVID-19 doses, the sooner the province can return to normal.
CASE DATA
On Wednesday, Nova Scotia labs processed 5,977 tests, and have now processed a total of 894,956 since the start of the pandemic.
There have been 5,773 cumulative COVID-19 cases in Nova Scotia. Of those, 5,586 people have recovered, and 90 have died due to COVID-19.
According to the province's online dashboard, there are currently six individuals in hospital, three of whom are in an intensive care unit.
Since April 1, there have been 4,031 positive COVID-19 cases and 24 deaths. Of the new cases since April 1, 3,910 are now considered resolved.
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: 285 cases (four active cases)
- Central zone: 4,591 cases (62 active cases)
- Northern zone: 298 cases (four active case)
- Eastern zone: 599 cases (27 active cases)
The provincial state of emergency, which was first declared on March 22, 2020, has been extended to June 27, 2021.
VACCINE UPDATE
The province's COVID-19 online dashboard provides an update on the number of vaccines that have been administered to date.
As of Thursday, 735,008 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, with approximately 67.6 per cent of the province's overall population having received at least one dose. Of those, 58,854 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.
The province says it has received a total of 788,770 doses of COVID-19 vaccine since Dec. 15.
All Nova Scotians are encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as they are eligible. COVID-19 vaccination appointments can be made online or by phone at 1-833-797-7772.
NOVA SCOTIANS ENCOURAGED TO SEEK ASYMPTOMATIC TESTING
Public health is strongly encouraging Nova Scotians to seek asymptomatic COVID-19 testing, particularly if they have had several social interactions, even with their own social circle.
COVID-19 tests can be booked through the province's online self-assessment COVID-19 tool, or by calling 811.
People can also visit one of Nova Scotia’s rapid pop-up testing sites that continue to operate throughout the province.
- Centennial Arena (27 Vimy Ave., Halifax) from noon to 7 p.m.
- Halifax Central Library (5440 Spring Garden Rd, Halifax, NS), from noon to 7 p.m.
- Halifax Convention Centre (1650 Argyle St., Halifax), from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
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
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.