**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
Two New Cases of COVID-19
—————————————————————
Two new cases of COVID-19 are being reported today, Jan. 21. Nova Scotia has 22 active cases.
The two cases are in Northern Zone. The first case is related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada. The person is self-isolating, as required.
The other case is connected to École acadienne de Truro, a pre-primary to grade 12 school in Truro. Because the case came in after the cut-off for reporting, it will not appear on our data website and dashboard until tomorrow, Jan. 22.
The person was not in school today and is self-isolating. The school will close to allow for deep cleaning, testing and contact tracing, and is expected to reopen to students on Wednesday, Jan. 27. Students will learn from home during the closure and families of the school will receive an update on Tuesday, Jan. 26.
As with any positive case, public health will be in touch with any close contacts of this case and advise of next steps. Everyone who is a close contact will be notified, tested and asked to self-isolate for 14 days.
“Although our case numbers are low, we must not become complacent,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “We know the virus wants to spread and we can prevent that from happening by following all of the public health protocols.”
Nova Scotia Health Authority’s labs completed 1,589 Nova Scotia tests on Jan. 20.
As of Jan. 20, 9,827 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 2,696 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.
Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 147,592 tests. There have been 477 positive COVID-19 cases and no deaths. No one is currently in hospital. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 70. Four hundred and fifty-five cases are now resolved. Cumulative cases may change as data is updated in Panorama.
“I’m encouraged to see that our case numbers have remained low over the past few weeks,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “We must remain vigilant and stay committed to following the public health measures.”
Post-secondary students returning to Nova Scotia from anywhere except Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador are strongly encouraged to visit http://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/ to book a COVID-19 test for day six, seven or eight of their 14-day self-isolation period. COVID-19 testing appointments can be booked up to three days in advance.
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/difficulty breathing
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, the person is directed to self-isolate at home, away from the public, for 14 days. Public health works to identify and test people who may have come in close contact with that person.
Anyone who has travelled from anywhere except Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador must self-isolate for 14 days. As always, anyone 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.
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 and operate at http://novascotia.ca/reopening-nova-scotia .
Quick Facts:
— additional information on COVID-19 case data, testing and vaccines is available on http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/data/
— a state of emergency was declared under the Emergency Management Act on March 22, 2020 and extended to Jan. 24, 2021
— online booking for COVID-19 testing appointments is available at http://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/
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)
If you need help with a non-crisis mental health or addiction concern call Community Mental Health and Addictions at 1-855-922-1122 (toll-free) weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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/
