Nova Scotia reports no new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday; active cases drop to 60
Nova Scotia is reporting no new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday, as well as 14 recoveries, as the active number of cases in the province drops to 60 - the lowest number of active cases reported in the province since April 18.
"We wouldn't be where we are today without the co-operation and hard work of Nova Scotians," said Premier Iain Rankin in a news release. "I understand the restrictions are hard, but given the risks with the Delta variant, they are needed to protect Nova Scotians as we continue to work get people fully vaccinated with two doses of vaccine."
It is the second time in three days that the province has reported no new cases. Officials reported two new cases on Tuesday, after reporting zero new cases on Monday, the first day with no new cases since March 29.
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.
"Our case numbers have been very promising the past few days," said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health in a news release. "Thank you for continuing to look after each other by continuing to follow public health measures, getting tested regularly and getting vaccinated."
Late Wednesday evening, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Education said there was a confirmed case at Joseph Howe Elementary in Halifax.
"The school will be closed to students until Monday to allow for testing of close contacts and a deep cleaning of the school," the department said in a news release. "The school will inform families about at-home learning."
Families and students can expect to receive an update before Monday, the department said.
CASE DATA
On Tuesday, Nova Scotia labs processed 3,490 tests, and have now processed a total of 917,659 since the start of the pandemic.
There have been 5,793 cumulative COVID-19 cases in Nova Scotia. Of those, 5,641 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 4,051 positive COVID-19 cases and 26 deaths. Of the new cases since April 1, 3,965 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: 4,607 cases (42 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, 808,713 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, with approximately 71.7 per cent of the province's overall population having received at least one dose. Of those, 112,328 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 Central Library (5440 Spring Garden Rd, Halifax, NS), 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.
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
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks beat Oilers 5-4 in comeback to take Game 1
The Vancouver Canucks won the first game of their NHL playoffs series with the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 on Wednesday night coming back from a three-goal deficit.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.