**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
One New Case of COVID-19
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As of today, Feb. 18, Nova Scotia has 13 active cases of COVID-19. One new case is being reported today.
The case is in Western Zone and is currently under investigation.
The case in Central Zone connected to Beaver Bank-Monarch Drive Elementary School in Halifax Regional Municipality that was reported last evening, Feb. 17, will appear on the data website and dashboard today because it was identified after yesterday’s cut-off for reporting. The person is a close contact of a previously reported case.
The public health mobile units will be at the Beaver Bank Kinsac Community Centre, 1583 Beaver Bank Rd. today, Feb. 18, and Friday, Feb. 19 to work closely with the families and staff of the Beaver Bank-Monarch Drive Elementary School. On Saturday, Feb. 20 from noon to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 21 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. they will be conducting community-based testing. Anyone can drop in or book an appointment online.
Nova Scotia Health Authority recently issued an exposure notification for the New Minas area. Anyone who was in those areas is being encouraged to book an appointment for a COVID-19 test.
“The virus is still in our province so we all need to continue following public health protocols,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “We know the virus wants to spread, but we can keep it contained and protect each other if we wear masks, wash our hands, physically distance and keep following all the other COVID-19 safety measures.”
Nova Scotia Health Authority’s labs completed 1,547 Nova Scotia tests on Feb. 17.
As of Feb. 17, 25,032 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 9,782 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.
Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 185,684 tests. There have been 513 positive COVID-19 cases and no deaths. One person is currently in hospital, in ICU. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 70. Five hundred cases are now resolved. Cumulative cases may change as data is updated in Panorama.
“We must stay the course and continue our cautious and vigilant approach to preventing the spread of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “I want to remind Nova Scotians that basic prevention steps work, so those seemingly small COVID-19 safety measures are what is keeping our family, friends, community, health-care and other essential workers safe.”
Nova Scotians are strongly encouraged to seek asymptomatic COVID-19 testing, particularly if they have a large number of close contacts due to their work or social activities. Appointments can be booked at http://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/ , by choosing the asymptomatic option. Rapid testing pop-up sites continue to be set up around the province as well. More information on testing can be found at http://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting .
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 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 at http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/data/
— a state of emergency was declared under the Emergency Management Act on March 22, 2020 and extended to Feb. 21, 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/
