Premier Stephen MacNeil and Dr. Robert Strang have a moment of silence for the victims of the weekend shootings
Nova Scotia has had another COVID-19 related death.
The Department of Health and Wellness says the death occurred at the Northwood long-term care home in Halifax.
Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, says sixteen new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed yesterday, bringing the total to 737.
“We currently have eleven individuals in hospital, three of those in the ICU. We have 286 people now who can be considered to be recovered from their COVID-19 infection and that the total number of Nova Scotians who have been tested and are negative are 22,119.”
He says there are now ten licensed long-term care homes and unlicensed seniors’ facilities in the province with confirmed cases of COVID-19, “involving 128 residents and 62 staff”.
Dr. Strang says health care services not related to COVID-19 are still available in Nova Scotia.
He wanted to assure residents of that during his Tuesday afternoon update, saying that, while many services are being offered virtually, you can still access health care.
“If you arrive at an emergency department, you will be treated. We also know that our family physicians and family practice nurses and nurse practitioners are all still available. Please continue to access health care as you normally would, understanding that there may be some challenges in some areas around increasing waits but don’t let your healthcare needs just sit.”
Dr. Strang also pointed out that pharmacists can help.
Meanwhile, the government is looking at what can and can’t be opened up in Nova Scotia.
Premier Stephen MacNeil says they will not make any changes without the okay from Public Health.
“A number of our deadlines are early May. We have to look at schools, daycares, parks, all those. We’ll be looking at those in conjunction with Public Health over the next number of days and into the next week to see, if at all possible, what other measures may be required or, quite frankly, which ones can we look at letting up, but it’s too early for that.”
He says we must continue to follow Public Health protocols since flattening the curve is what will determine when the province re-opens.
