**** HEALTH/WELLNESS–13 New Cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia
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Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health will provide an update today, March 23, at 3 p.m.
This update will be livestreamed on http://novascotia.ca/stayinformed/webcast .
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As of today, March 23, Nova Scotia has 41 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Thirteen new cases were identified Sunday, March 22. The cases are travel-related or related to earlier reported cases. Several of the new cases are connected and involve groups or families who have returned to Nova Scotia following travel outside of Canada.
The 41 individuals affected range in age from under ten to mid-70’s. Cases have been identified in all parts of the province. One individual remains in hospital. At this point, there has been no spread within communities.
Public health has been in contact with these individuals and are working to identify others who may have come in close contact with them. Those individuals are also being directed to self-isolate at home, away from the public, for 14 days.
The QEII Health Sciences Centre’s microbiology lab is now certified to report positive and negative tests for COVID-19. Tests no longer have to be sent to the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg. To date, Nova Scotia has 2,308 negative test results and 41 confirmed cases.
Anyone who has travelled outside of Nova Scotia must self-isolate for 14 days. If you have travelled outside of Nova Scotia or been in close contact with someone who has travelled and are experiencing fever or new cough you should complete the online questionnaire before calling 811. The online questionnaire can be found at: http://811.novascotia.ca/
Nova Scotians can find accurate, up-to-date information, handwashing posters and fact sheets at http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus .
Today’s update will be livestreamed at 3 p.m. on http://novascotia.ca/stayinformed/webcast , @nsgov Facebook and YouTube channels.
Quick Facts:
— testing numbers are updated daily at http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus
— Nova Scotia’s Health Protection Act gives the chief medical officer of health the authority to give advice to protect public health and decrease risk to public health presented by communicable diseases such as COVID-19
— a state of emergency was declared under the Emergency Management Act on March 22 and remains in effect until noon, April 5
— under the state of emergency government can control or prohibit assembly as well as travel to and from areas. It can also coordinate commerce activity and emergency responders
Additional Resources:
The Public Health Agency of Canada maintains a list of affected areas: http://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/health-professionals/covid-19-affected-areas-list.html
Government of Canada: http://canada.ca/coronavirus
Government of Canada toll-free information line 1-833-784-4397
State of Emergency Declaration: http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/Declaration-of-Provincial-State-of-Emergency-by-Minister-Porter-Signed-March-22-2020.pdf
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