Nova Scotia is reporting 165 new cases of COVID-19.
There are 138 cases in Central Zone, 16 in Eastern Zone, six in Western Zone and five in Northern Zone.
“Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there and to those that play the role. For the second year in a row, Mother’s Day will be much different than we are used to,” said Premier Iain Rankin. “Thank you for adjusting your celebrations to be as safe as possible.”
One case in Central Zone is a homecare staff member with Northwood in Halifax. Follow up is being done with clients and staff.
There is community spread in the Halifax region. 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 1,626 active cases of COVID-19. There are 50 people in hospital, including seven in ICU.
“Nova Scotians have made changes to their daily lives to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and it’s important to continue to follow the public health measures while celebrating Mother’s Day,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “Now is not the time to let our guard down, if you don’t live with your mother-figure, please celebrate Mother’s Day virtually.”
