**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
Four New Cases of COVID-19
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As of today, Feb. 20, Nova Scotia has 18 active cases of COVID-19. Four new cases are being reported today.
One case is in Western Zone and is related to travel outside Atlantic Canada.
The other three cases are in Central Zone. One is a close contact of a previously reported case, one is under investigation and one is related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada. All four people are self-isolating as required.
“Asymptomatic testing helps public health identify and track the virus in our province,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “I encourage Nova Scotians with a public health mobile unit or pop-up testing site in their community to get tested to help slow the spread of COVID-19.”
Public health mobile units will be at the Beaver Bank Kinsac Community Centre, 1583 Beaver Bank Road in Halifax Regional Municipality today, Feb. 20 until 6 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 21 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. to conduct community-based testing.
Pop-up rapid COVID-19 testing will also be taking place at the New Minas Fire Department, 6 Jones Road today, Feb. 20 until 7 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 21 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Anyone can drop in or book an appointment online.
Nova Scotia Health Authority’s labs completed 2,262 Nova Scotia tests on Feb. 19.
Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 189,646 tests. There have been 519 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 and one cases are now resolved. Cumulative cases may change as data is updated in Panorama.
“Many of the recent cases of COVID-19 we are seeing in Nova Scotia are presenting as mild cold-like symptoms or often even just one symptom, said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “So that runny nose or tickle in your throat is not something that can be ignored. You may not think it’s COVID-19, but you need to get tested to prevent any potential spread of COVID.”
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 March 7, 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/
