Government of NS photo
Twenty-six new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed yesterday in Nova Scotia, bringing the total to 173.
Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, says one case of community transmission is confirmed and they expects more, which he says means following the basic rules is even more important
“The critical importance of us, over the next few weeks, sticking with all the public health directives…good hygiene, maintaining social distancing, only getting together in groups of five or less, if it’s necessary and essential, staying at home as much as possible, having one person in a household unit doing essential shopping.”
He says those who should be in self-isolation MUST adhere to this rule.
Dr. Strang also pointed out that they are trying to give the most up-to-date information possible when the press conferences are held..
“Cases are reported from the lab to local public health, then appropriate investigation happens, that information is then entered into the public health electronic information system. It’s that information that my epidemiologists in the Department of Health and Wellness use every morning to identify, then update the number of cases.”
As of Wednesday morning, Nova Scotia has had 6,591 negative test results to go with the 173 confirmed cases.
The government says “those cases range in age from under ten to over 80. Five individuals are currently in hospital. Eleven individuals have now recovered and their cases of COVID-19 are considered resolved. Cases have been identified in all parts of the province.”
Meanwhile, as the new month begins, some commercial landlords in Nova Scotia are rejecting the government’s rent-deferral plan.
Premier Stephen MacNeil says these landlords need to recognize that they need to provide a break to businesses forced to close.
“The banks are working with these commercial landlords to support them and we need them to support these small business owners who, through no fault of their own, are in a situation where their businesses have been closed because of public health, because we need to do everything we can to stop this virus. We, as a province, closed those earlier than almost every Canadian province.”
On March 27th, the province asked landlords to sign an agreement, deferring rent for three months and that the government would guarantee up to $5000 a month if that business goes under.
