511 New Cases of COVID-19, Long-Term Care Outbreak, Hospital Outbreak
Today, December 30, Nova Scotia is reporting 522 lab confirmed cases of COVID-19, which includes 11 duplicate cases for a total 511 new cases.
There are 331 cases in Central Zone, 56 cases in Eastern Zone, 59 cases in Northern Zone and 65 cases in Western Zone.
Because of a spike in testing and positive cases, public health is experiencing delays in follow-up. All cases should contact their close contacts. Public health is prioritizing contact tracing in long-term care, healthcare facilities, correctional facilities, shelters and other group settings.
Information about testing, self-isolation and case management is at: https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirus .
Long-term Care Facilities, Hospitals
The province is reporting four new outbreaks in long-term care facilities. Public health is working with the facilities to prevent further spread. Increased public health measures and restrictions are in place.
Four staff members have tested positive at the Sagewood Continuing Care Facility in Lower Sackville. Five staff members and one resident have tested positive at the Kings Regional Rehabilitation Centre in Waterville. Four staff members and one resident have tested positive at Melville Gardens in Halifax. Two residents have tested positive at New Vision in South Berwick, with one in hospital.
One new case is being reported at Parkstone Enhanced Care in Halifax. A total of two residents and three staff members at the facility have tested positive. No one is in hospital.
The Nova Scotia Health Authority is reporting outbreaks at the Victoria General site of the QEII Health Sciences Center and New Waterford Heights. Currently there are a very low number of patients impacted (less than five at each facility), and all patients are being closely monitored and other Infection Prevention and Control measures are being put in place. NSHA will provide a further update when more information is available.
An additional three cases are being reported at a ward at the Halifax Infirmary site of the QEII Health Sciences Centre, for a total of nine cases. There are no new cases related to the outbreak at St. Martha's Regional Hospital in Antigonish.
Active Cases, Hospitalization, Tests, Vaccination Data
As of today, there are an estimated 5,106 active cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia. Of those, 25 people are in hospital, including 3 in ICU.
On December 29, NSHA’s labs completed 3,960 tests.
As of December 29, 1,785,034 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 794,509 Nova Scotians have received their second dose, and 128,183 eligible Nova Scotians have received a third dose.
Additional Resources:
Nova Scotians can find accurate, up-to-date information, handwashing posters and fact sheets at: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus
Information on provincewide restrictions that took effect December 22 and other public health measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 is available at: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/restrictions-and-guidance/
More information on COVID-19 case data, testing and vaccines is available at: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/data/
More information about public health text notifications of positive COVID-19 cases and close contacts is available here: https://www.nshealth.ca/news/public-health-notifying-positive-covid-19-cases-text-advising-notify-close-contacts
Government of Canada: https://canada.ca/coronavirus or 1-833-784-4397 (toll-free)