Chief Medical Officer Of Health Dr. Robert Strang speaks about COVID-19 at a press conference on April 5th, 2020. Photo c/o NS Government
The province says they’re ramping up testing capabilities now that community spread of COVID-19 is confirmed.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang confirmed an additional 26 cases on Sunday, bringing the total in the province to 262.
52 individuals have recovered.
Strang says the province has partnered with stakeholders including the NSHA, 811, and EHS to offer more testing options including temporary assessment centres.
“It’s important for the public to know that these centres are not for walk-in,” he explained. “They will operate the same as other assessment centres do now. People must be referred for testing via 811 or a primary care physician and receive a scheduled appointment. How long these temporary assessment centres will stay open in any one community will depend on the disease activity that we pick up.”
The Visitor Information Centre in Yarmouth has been flagged as a temporary assessment centre.
Strang says we need to remain vigilant in the fight against COVID-19.
Nova Scotia has 26 new cases of the virus, for a total of 262.
Strang says we need to stay home as much as possible – which means going for a drive isn’t okay.
“You may think that it’s ok just getting in your car and driving about but the fewer people we have on the roads means fewer trips to gas stations,” he stated. “It also means that there’s less chance of an accident that we have to have our health care system, which is stressed right now, deal with people that may be injured in a motor vehicle crash.”
The Doctor notes that 80% of our population needs to follow public health measures in order for them to be effective.
