NS Premier Stephen MacNeil and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang (6 feet apart)
As of today (Friday), Nova Scotia has 90 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, says seventeen new cases were identified yesterday (Thursday).
“Where investigations are complete, we can say that all our cases are travel-related or connected to earlier cases. With some of our cases, investigation is still ongoing and it remains too early to say if they are maybe community-spread. I can say that none of the new cases are connected to the Saint Patrick’s Day gathering in Lake Echo.”
He says they are still waiting for the results from the testing of the people who attended.
Dr. Robert Strang says that, unfortunately, some people are treating people who are confirmed being mistreated.
“I have been made aware of a few cases where people who have tested positive for COVID-19, or their contacts, are being harassed in their community or are being harassed on social media. THAT is inappropriate. These people need your support, they need your love and caring.”
At today’s press conference, the Premier announced a rent deferral program for small business operators who were forced to close under the public health order.
“Landlords will be asked to sign a rent-deferral agreement and government will guarantee up to $5000 a month if that business goes under. The hope here is, that these businesses will be able to come back even stronger but, if not, we want to reduce the risk on the landlord.”
If this isn’t possible, at the end of the lease, the government will guarantee that three months.
It is imperative that anyone who has traveled outside Nova Scotia self-isolate for 14 days and for everyone to adhere to the five-person social gathering limit.
To date, Nova Scotia has 3,649 negative test results and 90 confirmed cases.
