Nova Scotia reports five new cases of COVID-19 Thursday; active cases drop to 59
Nova Scotia is reporting five new cases of COVID-19 Thursday, as well as six recoveries, as the active number of cases in the province drops to 59.
All five of Thursday's new cases were identified in the province's Central zone. Two cases are related to travel, two are close contacts and one is under investigation.
In a release, public health confirms one of the cases is connected to Joseph Howe Elementary in Halifax. Officials say the case was reported Wednesday, but appears on Thursday’s numbers because it came in after Wednesday’s reporting deadline.
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.
THREE MORE CASES CONNECTED TO HALIFAX SCHOOLS
On Thursday afternoon, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development announced there is one confirmed case of COVID-19 connected to St. Joseph's-Alexander McKay Elementary in Halifax.
"The school will be closed to allow for testing of close contacts and a deep cleaning of the building. Families and staff will receive information from the school about next week's schedule," the department said in a news release. "Public health will be in touch with any close contacts of positive cases and advise of next steps, including testing. Everyone who is a close contact will be notified, tested and asked to self-isolate for 14 days."
On Thursday evening the Department announced there were two cases at connected to Joseph Howe Elementary in Halifax.
"Due to a previously identified case, the school is closed to students until Monday to allow for testing of close contacts," the department said in a news release. "The school received a deep cleaning (Thursday) and will be open to staff (Friday) to support students with at-home learning."
Families and students will receive an update before Monday.
CASE DATA
Nova Scotia labs processed 3,868 tests on Wednesday, and have now processed a total of 921,604 since the start of the pandemic.
There have been 5,798 cumulative COVID-19 cases in Nova Scotia. Of those, 5,647 people have recovered, and 92 have died due to COVID-19.
According to the province's online dashboard, there are currently three individuals in hospital, including one person in an intensive care unit.
Since April 1, there have been 4,056 positive COVID-19 cases and 26 deaths. Of the new cases since April 1, 3,971 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: 287 cases (four active cases)
- Central zone: 4,612 cases (41 active cases)
- Northern zone: 298 cases (four active case)
- Eastern zone: 601 cases (10 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 Wednesday, 828,701 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, with approximately 71.9 per cent of the province's overall population having received at least one dose. Of those, 129,822 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.
The province says it has received a total of 924,000 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.
- Alderney Gate (60 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth) from noon to 7 p.m.
- Centennial Arena (27 Vimy Ave., Halifax) from noon to 7 p.m.
- Halifax Convention Centre (1650 Argyle St., Halifax), from noon to 7 p.m.
- New Minas Fire Hall (6 Jones Rd., New Minas) from noon to 7 p.m.
- Sydney Fire Station, 540 Esplanade, Sydney from 2 to 7 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
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
NEW More unauthorized products for skin, sexual enhancement, recalled: Here are the recalls of this week
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including torches, beef biltong and unauthorized products related to skin care and sexual enhancement.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Do these exercises for core strength if you can't stomach doing planks
Planks are one of the most effective exercises for strengthening your midsection, as they target all of your major core muscles: the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, external obliques and internal obliques. Yet despite the popularity of various 10-minute plank challenges, planking is actually one of the most dreaded core exercises, according to many fitness experts.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Polar ice is melting and changing Earth's rotation. It's messing with time itself
One day in the next couple of years, everyone in the world will lose a second of their time. Exactly when that will happen is being influenced by humans, according to a new study, as melting polar ice alters the Earth’s rotation and changes time itself.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.