**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
Thirty-seven New Cases of COVID-19
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As of today, Nov. 24, Nova Scotia has 87 active cases of COVID-19. Thirty-seven new cases are being reported today.
Thirty-five of the new cases are in Central Zone, and a case in Northern Zone is connected to exposures in Central Zone. All of those cases were identified Monday, Nov. 23.
There is also a case, identified today, at Northeast Kings Education Centre in Canning, Kings. Co., in Western Zone.
The person is not in school today and is self-isolating. Public health will be in touch with close contacts as part of their ongoing investigation and advise of next steps. Everyone in a class which a confirmed case attended is being tested and asked to self-isolate for 14 days. Northeast Kings Education Centre will be closed for the remainder of the week and students will be supported to learn at home.
Nova Scotia Health Authority’s labs completed 1,561 Nova Scotia tests on Nov. 23.
Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has had 35,188 negative test results, 138 positive COVID-19 cases and no deaths. No one is currently in hospital. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 70. Fifty-one cases are now resolved. Cumulative cases by zone may change as data is updated in Panorama.
Visit http://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/ to do a self-assessment if in the past 48 hours you have had or you are currently experiencing:
— fever (i.e. chills/sweats) or cough (new or worsening)
Or:
Two or more of the following symptoms (new or worsening):
— sore throat
— runny nose/ nasal congestion
— headache
— shortness of breath
Call 811 if you cannot access the online self-assessment or wish to speak with a nurse about your symptoms.
When a new case of COVID-19 is confirmed, public health works to identify and test people who may have come in close contact with that person. Those individuals who have been confirmed are being directed to self-isolate at home, away from the public, for 14 days.
Anyone who has travelled outside of Atlantic Canada must self-isolate for 14 days. As always, any Nova Scotian who develops symptoms of acute respiratory illness should limit their contact with others until they feel better.
It remains important for Nova Scotians to strictly adhere to the public health order and directives – practise good hand washing and other hygiene steps, maintain a physical distance when and where required. Wearing a non-medical mask is mandatory in most indoor public places.
As of Nov. 23, rules concerning interprovincial travel within Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador have changed. The premiers of all four Atlantic provinces are cautioning against non-essential travel into neighbouring provinces. Starting today, Nov. 24, all non-essential travel into Prince Edward Island requires a 14-day self-isolation. Starting Wednesday, Nov. 25, all non-essential travel into Newfoundland and Labrador requires a 14-day self-isolation period. These changes will be in effect for two weeks. All public health directives of each province must be followed. Under Nova Scotia’s Health Protection Act order, visitors from outside of Atlantic Canada must self-isolate for 14 days.
Nova Scotians can find accurate, up-to-date information, handwashing posters and fact sheets at http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus .
Businesses and other organizations can find information to help them safely reopen at http://novascotia.ca/reopening-nova-scotia .
Quick Facts:
— testing numbers are updated daily at http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus
— a state of emergency was declared under the Emergency Management Act on March 22 and extended to Nov. 29
— online booking for COVID-19 testing appointments is available for Nova Scotians getting a test at all primary assessment centres or at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax
Additional Resources:
Government of Canada: http://canada.ca/coronavirus
Government of Canada information line 1-833-784-4397 (toll-free)
The Mental Health Provincial Crisis Line is available 24/7 to anyone experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis, or someone concerned about them, by calling 1-888-429-8167 (toll-free)
Kids Help Phone is available 24/7 by calling 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free)
For help or information about domestic violence 24/7, call 1-855-225-0220 (toll-free)
For more information about COVID-19 testing and online booking, visit http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/symptoms-and-testing/
The COVID-19 self-assessment is at http://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/
