Seventeen New Cases of COVID-19

As of today, Dec. 2, Nova Scotia has 127 active cases of COVID-19. Seventeen new cases were identified Tuesday, Dec. 1.

Sixteen of the new cases are in Central Zone, including the case connected to St. Margaret’s Bay Elementary school that was reported last night. The other case is in Northern Zone and is related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada.

“We are a week into the new tighter restrictions in the greater Halifax area and limiting travel in and out of this part of the province,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “These are important steps to help contain the virus. We all need to continue following the protocols so we can slow the spread and keep each other safe.”

Nova Scotia Health Authority's labs completed 3,295 Nova Scotia tests on Dec. 1.

Yesterday there were 247 tests administered at the rapid-testing pop-up site in Halifax and 453 tests administered at the rapid-testing pop-up site in Wolfville. There was one positive test result identified at the Wolfville site. The individual was directed to self-isolate and has been referred for a standard test.

Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 69,559 tests. There have been 243 positive COVID-19 cases and no deaths. No one is currently in hospital. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 70. One hundred and sixteen cases are now resolved. Cumulative cases may change as data is updated in Panorama.

“I’m pleased to see that our case numbers have remained relatively low these past few days,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health. “This does not mean that we can ignore the restrictions that are in place to limit the spread of COVID-19. Everyone needs to do their part – wear a mask, adhere to the gathering limits, practise social distancing, wash your hands and avoid non-essential travel in and out of the Halifax area.”

Visit https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/ to do a self-assessment if in the past 48 hours you have had or you are currently experiencing:

• fever (i.e. chills/sweats) or cough (new or worsening)

Or: Two or more of the following symptoms (new or worsening):

• sore throat
• runny nose/ nasal congestion
• headache
• shortness of breath

Call 811 if you cannot access the online self-assessment or wish to speak with a nurse about your symptoms.

When a new case of COVID-19 is confirmed, public health works to identify and test people who may have come in close contact with that person. Those individuals who have been confirmed are being directed to self-isolate at home, away from the public, for 14 days.

Anyone who has travelled outside of Atlantic Canada must self-isolate for 14 days. As always, any Nova Scotian who develops symptoms of acute respiratory illness should limit their contact with others until they feel better.

It remains important for Nova Scotians to strictly adhere to the public health order and directives - practise good hand washing and other hygiene steps, maintain a physical distance when and where required. Wearing a non-medical mask is mandatory in most indoor public places.

Rules concerning interprovincial travel within Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador have changed. The premiers of all four Atlantic provinces are cautioning against non-essential travel into neighbouring provinces. Currently, all non-essential travel into Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador requires a 14-day self-isolation. All public health directives of each province must be followed. Under Nova Scotia's Health Protection Act order, visitors from outside Atlantic Canada must self-isolate for 14 days unless they completed their self-isolation in another Atlantic province.

Nova Scotians can find accurate, up-to-date information, handwashing posters and fact sheets at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus .

Businesses and other organizations can find information to help them safely reopen at https://novascotia.ca/reopening-nova-scotia .

Quick Facts:

• a state of emergency was declared under the Emergency Management Act on March 22 and extended to Dec. 13
• online booking for COVID-19 testing appointments is available for Nova Scotians getting a test at all primary assessment centres or at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax
• ongoing voluntary testing has been introduced to monitor, reduce and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in long-term care. Volunteers, designated caregivers and employees who provide direct care to residents will be tested every two weeks. The ongoing testing will start at three long-term care locations: Northwood, Ocean View and St. Vincent's and will expand to six more facilities over the next two weeks

Additional Resources:

Government of Canada: https://canada.ca/coronavirus

Government of Canada information line 1-833-784-4397 (toll-free)

The Mental Health Provincial Crisis Line is available 24/7 to anyone experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis, or someone concerned about them, by calling 1-888-429-8167 (toll-free)

Kids Help Phone is available 24/7 by calling 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free)

For help or information about domestic violence 24/7, call 1-855-225-0220 (toll-free)

For more information about COVID-19 testing and online booking, visit https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/symptoms-and-testing/

The COVID-19 self-assessment is at https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/