ATLANTIC

Nova Scotia reports two new cases of COVID-19 in central zone; 5 active

Allan April CTVNewsAtlantic.ca writer

Published Saturday, October 17, 2020 11:28AM ADT Last Updated Saturday, October 17, 2020 11:30AM ADT

Employees work at the Canadian Hospital Specialities (CHS) helping take dual COVID-19 testing swab kits and separating them into two units to help with swab capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Oakville, Ont., on Monday, June 8, 2020. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)

Text:

HALIFAX -- Nova Scotia reported two new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday in the province's central zone. There are now five active cases in the province.

According to the province, the new cases are both related to travel outside of the Atlantic bubble, and the two individuals are self-isolating as required.

There is no longer anyone in hospital as a result of COVID-19.

This comes the day after Nova Scotia reported a new case, in the central zone, the first new case reported in the province since Oct. 10.

1039 TESTS

The Nova Scotia Health Authority labs completed 879 Nova Scotia tests on Friday, with one new case identified.

To date, Nova Scotia has 104,392 negative test results.

There are 1,095 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia, but 1,025 cases are considered resolved, and 65 people have died, leaving five active cases in the province.

There is no one in hospital as a result of COVID-19.

The province's confirmed cases range in age from under 10 to over 90.

Sixty-one per cent of cases are female and 39 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: 56 cases
central zone: 917 cases
northern zone: 68 cases
eastern zone: 54 cases

STATE OF EMERGENCY RENEWED

The provincial state of emergency, which was first declared on March 22, has been extended to Nov 1, unless government terminates or extends it before then.

COVID ALERT APP NOW AVAILABLE

Nova Scotia health announced Thursday that Canada’s COVID-19 Alert app is now available in the province.

The app, which can be downloaded through the Apple of Google Play app stores, 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

SELF-ISOLATION AND MANDATORY MASKS

Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 is required to self-isolate at home, away from the public, for 14 days.

Anyone who travels to Nova Scotia from outside the Atlantic region is required to self-isolate for 14 days and must fill out a self-declaration form before coming to the province.

However, the province has eased some self-isolation requirements for out-of-province rotational workers.

Residents of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador are not required to self-isolate when travelling to Nova Scotia, but they must be prepared to provide proof of their place of residency at provincial borders.

Visitors from outside the Atlantic region who have already self-isolated in another Atlantic province for 14 days may travel to Nova Scotia without having to self-isolate again.

It is mandatory to wear a non-medical mask in most indoor public places in Nova Scotia.