HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia is reporting two more deaths connected to COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths in the province to 12.
The province said Wednesday that the latest deaths happened at Halifax’s Northwood long-term care home.
There have now been a total of eight COVID-19 deaths at the facility.
"I extend my condolences to the families and loved ones of these individuals - you are in the thoughts of all Nova Scotians,” said Premier Stephen McNeil in a statement.
“My heart goes out to everyone at Northwood at this time and we are working very closely with our partners to continue to implement an emergency plan to help bring this virus under control at the facility.”
As of Tuesday, 10 licensed and unlicensed long-term care and seniors’ facilities in the province had confirmed cases of COVID-19, involving 148 residents and 65 staff members.
Most of the cases are at Northwood, which was reporting 112 cases among residents and 40 cases among staff members, on Tuesday.
Thirty-five new cases of COVID-19
Nova Scotia is also reporting 35 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the province to 772.
The QEII Health Sciences Centre's microbiology lab completed 849 tests on Tuesday. The provincial government says Nova Scotia has conducted more COVID-19 tests per capita than any other province.
To date, Nova Scotia has 22,993 negative test results.
Nova Scotia's confirmed cases range in age from under 10 to over 90.
Fifty-eight per cent of cases are female and 42 per cent are male.
Ten people are currently in hospital. Three of those patients are in intensive care units.
The province says 330 people have now recovered from the virus and their cases are considered resolved.
Government to waive extra pharmacy fees
McNeil also announced that the government will cover extra dispensing fees for pharmacare clients for refills on prescriptions during the pandemic.
On March 20, the Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists recommended that pharmacists dispense prescriptions every 30 days that would usually be filled for a longer period of time. This step was taken as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic to help protect the drug supply and is similar to measures in place in other parts of the country.
"We understand some people are feeling the financial strain of additional dispensing fees," said McNeil. "This will help people keep a little more money in their pockets, while protecting the drug supply to ensure Nova Scotians can get the medications they need."
The province will also waive the prescription co-pay for clients of the Income Assistance program and the Low Income Pharmacare for Children program.
Where are the cases located?
There are cases across Nova Scotia, with the vast majority confirmed in the central zone, which contains the Halifax Regional Municipality.
More information is available in an online map, which breaks down cases according to the Nova Scotia Health Authority’s four zones.
- Western zone: 54 cases
- Central zone: 634 cases
- Northern zone: 37 cases
- Eastern zone: 47 cases
Most of the province’s 772 cases are connected to travel or a known case, but there is community spread. As a result, travel has been removed as a requirement for testing.
The list of symptoms for which the province is screening has also been expanded.
Anyone who has two or more of the following symptoms is asked to take an online questionnaire to determine if they should call 811 for further assessment:
- Fever
- New or worsening cough
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Headache
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 is required to self-isolate at home, away from the public, for 14 days.
Anyone who has travelled outside Nova Scotia is also required to self-isolate for 14 days.
