Three New Cases of COVID-19

Reposted from Nova Scotia website:
https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20210304001

Three new cases of COVID-19 are being reported in Nova Scotia today, March 4.

The cases are in Central Zone. Two are close contacts of previously reported cases and the other case is under investigation.

"We continue to see new COVID-19 cases every day. So, it's very apparent the virus is still in our communities," said Premier Iain Rankin. "Let's continue to be vigilant. Let's keep doing what we have been doing so well to keep the virus under control, such as following our public health measures."

As of today, March 4, Nova Scotia has 29 active cases of COVID-19.

Nova Scotia Health Authority's labs completed 6,551 Nova Scotia tests on March 3.

As of March 3, 37,590 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 14,219 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.

"I'm pleased to see our efforts to contain the virus continue to work and our case numbers are remaining low," said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health. "We need to continue to be cautious and keep each other safe by adhering to the gathering limits, keeping a consistent social group, washing your hands, staying home if you are feeling unwell and self-isolating if required."

Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 233,511 tests. There have been 560 positive COVID-19 cases and no deaths. Five people are currently in hospital. Of those, two are in ICU. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 70. There are 531 resolved cases. Cumulative cases may change as data is updated in Panorama.

Nova Scotians are strongly encouraged to seek asymptomatic COVID-19 testing, particularly if they have a large number of close contacts due to their work or social activities. Appointments can be booked at https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/ , by choosing the asymptomatic option. Rapid testing pop-up sites continue to be set up around the province as well. More information on testing can be found at https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting.

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/difficulty breathing

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, the person is directed to self-isolate at home, away from the public, for 14 days. Public health works to identify and test people who may have come in close contact with that person.

Anyone who has travelled from anywhere except Prince Edward Island must self-isolate for 14 days. As always, anyone 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.

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 and operate at https://novascotia.ca/reopening-nova-scotia.

Reposted from Nova Scotia website:
https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20210304001

Nova Scotia to Receive AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine

Reposted from Nova Scotia website:
https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20210303001

Nova Scotia will receive an initial 13,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine next week. It is the third COVID-19 vaccine approved for use by Health Canada.

Doctors Nova Scotia and the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia will be handling the launch of the new doses.

The government’s decision to take the doses came after thoughtful consideration about the way in which it would be rolled out to Nova Scotians, and assurances that our delivery of these vaccines would not impact the target from the main vaccine program.

“We are pleased that conversations with Doctors Nova Scotia and the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia have resulted in a commitment from them to develop a plan by next week to distribute this vaccine to Nova Scotians,” said Premier Iain Rankin. “This vaccine provides another tool in our fight against COVID-19 and builds on the roll-out that is already underway in our province as we work to vaccinate all Nova Scotians. We have to move fast as we are mindful of the fact that we have a short window to use it given that they will expire in a month.”

Yesterday, Premier Rankin directed Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, to develop a plan to provide the most effective use of the new doses but not detract from the current roll-out in which Nova Scotians over age 80 are receiving vaccinations.

This shipment of AstraZeneca vaccine must be used by April 2. As a result, all 13,000 doses will be administered as first doses starting the week of March 15 to Nova Scotians between the age of 50-64 at 26 locations across the province. It is on a first come, first served basis.

“I am pleased we’re able to offer it as part of our overall effort to protect Nova Scotian’s from COVID-19,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Chief Medical Officer of Health.

The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is given on a two-dose schedule. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends offering this vaccine to people between the ages 18 to 64.

Unlike Moderna and Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccines, which are both mRNA vaccines and are more than 90 per cent effective against COVID-19, the AstraZeneca vaccine is the first viral-vector-based approved COVID-19 vaccine in Canada and based on clinical trials is 62 per cent effective.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends that higher efficacy vaccines should be offered to those who are most at risk of severe disease and exposure in order to reduce hospitalizations, deaths and to limit the worsening of health inequities.

mRNA vaccines do not contain the COVID-19 virus. Instead, they teach our cells how to create the protein needed to trigger an immune response to protect against infection. The AstraZeneca viral-vector-based vaccine also don’t use the virus that causes COVID-19, but a different, harmless virus that triggers an immune response.

Moderna and Pfizer-BioNtech vaccines require cold or ultra-low cold storage, while the AstraZeneca vaccine can be transported and stored between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius, similar to standard flu vaccine.

Reposted from Nova Scotia website:
https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20210303001

Three New Cases of COVID-19

Reposted from Nova Scotia website:
https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20210303003

 Three new cases of COVID-19 are being reported in Nova Scotia today, March 3.

Two cases are in Central Zone and the other case is in Northern Zone. All cases are close contacts of previously reported cases.

“Nova Scotians should be proud of their efforts to keep our case numbers low,” said Premier Iain Rankin. “We know how easily the virus can spread, but by following all the public health measures, we can prevent the spread of COVID-19.”

As of today, March 3, Nova Scotia has 30 active cases of COVID-19.

Nova Scotia Health Authority's labs completed 6,875 Nova Scotia tests on March 2.

As of March 2, 35,291 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 13,512 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.

“Nova Scotia Health Authority’s labs set another one-day record, completing over 6,800 tests,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “This is an indication of the strong uptake in testing among Nova Scotians. Let’s continue to make testing a part of our regular COVID-19 prevention measures.”

Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 226,960 tests. There have been 557 positive COVID-19 cases and no deaths. Four people are currently in hospital. Of those, two are in ICU. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 70. There are 527 resolved cases. Cumulative cases may change as data is updated in Panorama.

Nova Scotians are strongly encouraged to seek asymptomatic COVID-19 testing, particularly if they have a large number of close contacts due to their work or social activities. Appointments can be booked at https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/ , by choosing the asymptomatic option. Rapid testing pop-up sites continue to be set up around the province as well. More information on testing can be found at https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting .

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/difficulty breathing

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, the person is directed to self-isolate at home, away from the public, for 14 days. Public health works to identify and test people who may have come in close contact with that person.

Anyone who has travelled from anywhere except Prince Edward Island must self-isolate for 14 days. As always, anyone 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 - practice 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.

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 and operate at https://novascotia.ca/reopening-nova-scotia.

Reposted from Nova Scotia website:
https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20210303003

One New Case of COVID-19

Reposted from Nova Scotia website:
https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20210302006

One new case of COVID-19 is being reported in Nova Scotia today, March 2.

The case is in Northern Zone and is a close contact of a previously reported case.

Unrelated to the case being announced today, two more cases of the UK variant, formally called B.1.1.7, and five more cases of the South African variant, formally called 501.V2 have been identified by the National Microbiology Lab among Nova Scotia residents.

Two cases with the UK variant are in Western Zone and Central Zone and are connected to a previously reported UK variant. The people were tested late last month. One case is resolved, the other case is self-isolating.

Five cases in the Central Zone have been identified with the South African variant. One case is related to travel and the other four cases are household contacts of the traveller. The case related to travel is now considered resolved, the other four cases remain in self-isolation.

This brings the total number of cases of the UK variant in Nova Scotia to eight and South African variant to six.

As of today, March 2, Nova Scotia has 29 active cases of COVID-19.

Nova Scotia Health Authority's labs completed 5,146 Nova Scotia tests on March 1.

As of March 1, 33,471 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 12,891 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.

Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 220,085 tests. There have been 554 positive COVID-19 cases and no deaths. Four people are currently in hospital. Of those, two are in ICU. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 70. There are 525 resolved cases. Cumulative cases may change as data is updated in Panorama.

Nova Scotians are strongly encouraged to seek asymptomatic COVID-19 testing, particularly if they have a large number of close contacts due to their work or social activities. Appointments can be booked at https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/ , by choosing the asymptomatic option. Rapid testing pop-up sites continue to be set up around the province as well. More information on testing can be found at https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting .

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/difficulty breathing

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, the person is directed to self-isolate at home, away from the public, for 14 days. Public health works to identify and test people who may have come in close contact with that person.

Anyone who has travelled from anywhere except Prince Edward Island must self-isolate for 14 days. As always, anyone 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.

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 and operate at https://novascotia.ca/reopening-nova-scotia.

Reposted from Nova Scotia website:
https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20210302006

COVID-19 Immunization Plan Update

Reposted from Nova Scotia website:
https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20210302003

 The province’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout is on track, as it expands to include initial pharmacy clinics and community health-care providers.

“In a few short months we have set up clinics for health-care workers, in long-term care, in the community and soon, vaccines will be available in pharmacies,” said Premier Iain Rankin. “We are taking a measured and steady approach to getting vaccines into the arms of Nova Scotians as quickly as possible.”

Four pharmacy prototype clinics will launch in the following communities this month:

March 9: Halifax Regional Municipality and Shelburne

March 16: Port Hawkesbury

March 23: Springhill

These prototypes will help inform any changes in how vaccine is delivered through pharmacies before expanding to other locations in April. Those eligible to receive the vaccine through one of these initial clinics will receive an invitation to participate from their pharmacy.

Nova Scotia’s COVID-19 immunization plan is also expanding to include anyone who works in a hospital and may come into contact with patients and community health-care providers who provide direct patient care. This includes:

• doctors, nurses and continuing care assistants who work in community practice or provide care in the home
• dentists, dental assistants and dental hygienists
• pharmacists, pharmacy assistants and pharmacy technicians

“In keeping with our age-based approach to vaccine rollout, health-care workers in the next group will receive their vaccine based on their age,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “We will begin with those who are age 60 and older and then work back in five-year age groups until these health-care workers have been immunized.”

Health-care workers in the next group will receive an invitation to schedule their appointment.

Four of the 10 community-based vaccination clinics opened for booking in Halifax, Sydney, Truro and New Minas on March 1. These clinics will start immunizing on March 8. Three more community COVID-19 vaccination clinics in Antigonish, Halifax and Yarmouth will also start booking on March 8 for clinics running March 15.

Quick Facts:

• one of the 13 First Nation communities have received and administered their first doses, with five more starting clinics this week
• thirty licensed long-term care homes have administered at least one dose, with second dose clinics being scheduled
• work is underway to open a clinic in an African Nova Scotian community for the end of March
• to date, we have received 61,980 doses of COVID-19 vaccine
• as of March 1, Nova Scotia has administered 33,471 doses of COVID-19 vaccine; 20,580 first doses and 12,891 second doses

Reposted from Nova Scotia website:
https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20210302003

One New Case of COVID-19

Reposted from Nova Scotia website:

https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20210301001

One new case of COVID-1 is being reported in Nova Scotia today, March 1.

The case is in Central Zone and is a close contact of a previously reported case.

“A record number of Nova Scotians took advantage of COVID-19 testing over the weekend. Thank you for that,” said Premier Iain Rankin. “It’s a great response but it doesn’t mean we can let down our guard. Testing is just one part of our multi-layer response to the virus. So, continue to follow all the public health measures, including keeping your social circles small and consistent.”

As of today, March 1, Nova Scotia has 35 active cases of COVID-19.

Nova Scotia Health Authority's labs completed 3,931 Nova Scotia tests on Feb. 28.

As of Feb. 28, 32,856 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 12,845 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.

Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 214,939 tests. There have been 553 positive COVID-19 cases and no deaths. Two people are currently in hospital, in ICU. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 70. There are 518 resolved cases. Cumulative cases may change as data is updated in Panorama.

“As we started to see an increase of cases without a clear source of infection, we asked Nova Scotians to do their part and book a COVID-19 test, even if they were asymptomatic,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “Nova Scotians responded to the call and we saw an overwhelming amount of uptake in testing over the weekend at both the primary assessment centres and the pop-up clinics.”

Nova Scotians are strongly encouraged to seek asymptomatic COVID-19 testing, particularly if they have a large number of close contacts due to their work or social activities. Appointments can be booked at https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/, by choosing the asymptomatic option. Rapid testing pop-up sites continue to be set up around the province as well. More information on testing can be found at https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting .

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/difficulty breathing

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, the person is directed to self-isolate at home, away from the public, for 14 days. Public health works to identify and test people who may have come in close contact with that person.

Anyone who has travelled from anywhere except Prince Edward Island must self-isolate for 14 days. As always, anyone 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 - practice 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. Nova Scotians can find accurate, up-to-date information, handwashing posters and fact sheets at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus.

Reposted from Nova Scotia website:
https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20210301001