Nova Scotia is reporting 163 new cases of COVID-19 and another death connected to the virus.
The province indicates a man in his 70s has died in Central Zone. There have now been 71 COVID-19 related deaths in Nova Scotia.
The majority of cases remain in the Halifax region with 134 cases in Central Zone, 13 in Northern Zone, eight in Eastern Zone and eight in Western Zone.
“Another family is suffering the loss of a loved one, and on behalf of all Nova Scotians, I want to offer my condolences,” said Premier Iain Rankin. “Our province is at a serious point in the pandemic. The actions of every single Nova Scotian are critical right now. Everyone has a role to play. So, let’s do it together. Let’s get this virus under control.”
One case in Central Zone involves a staff member of Melville Gardens, a residential care facility in Halifax.
Another case is in Western Zone and involves a staff member at Harbour View Haven, a nursing home in Lunenburg.
As a precaution, residents living on the impacted units at both facilities are being isolated and cared for in their rooms. Staff and residents on the impacted units are being tested. Most residents have been fully vaccinated with two doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
There is community spread in Central Zone. The Eastern, Northern and Western Zones continue to be closely monitored for community spread.
Public health continues to work through the backlog of positive cases that need to be contacted and entered into the data system. To allow for timely notification, public health is contacting confirmed positive COVID-19 cases and close contacts by text message when possible. Nova Scotia Health has created a team that is immediately calling all positive cases to advise they are positive and determine whether they need supports. Public health will continue to do detailed follow up on cases and contacts as soon as they are able.
Given delays, anyone tested due to a potential exposure, because they have symptoms, or were advised by public health that they were a close contact or needed to self-isolate until receiving test results, should continue to self-isolate until they receive a negative result. Their household should also isolate until contacted. Close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases and those who were present at high-risk exposure locations are required to self-isolate for a full 14 days, regardless of their test result. In addition, anyone who becomes unwell should assume that they have COVID-19, isolate along with their household and arrange testing.
Nova Scotia has 1,538 active cases of COVID-19. There are 49 people in hospital, including seven in ICU.
“It is never easy to hear that a Nova Scotian has passed away as result of COVID-19. My thoughts and prayers are with those who are grieving,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “We said we’d have some very rough days ahead as we get this outbreak under control. We have been at this for a long time now and people are getting tired, but we cannot be complacent. The stakes are very high.”
