**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
Nine New Cases of COVID-19, State of Emergency Renewed
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Nine new cases of COVID-19 are being reported in Nova Scotia today, April 2.
Five cases are in Western Zone and four cases are in Central Zone. Five of the nine are a group of international travellers. The remaining are domestic travellers from outside Atlantic Canada. They are all self-isolating, as required.
“Our Easter weekend is looking very different than those in other provinces because of our low active case numbers, and today’s cases show our border protocols are working,” said Premier Iain Rankin. “But we have to remain vigilant – including strictly adhering to self-isolation after travel and other public health measures – to remain safe.”
As of today, Nova Scotia has 31 active cases of COVID-19.
There were 1,364 tests administered between March 26 and April 1 at the rapid-testing pop-up sites in Halifax and Dartmouth.
Nova Scotia Health Authority’s labs completed 3,122 Nova Scotia tests on April 1.
As of April 1, 111,403 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 29,530 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.
Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 310,764 tests. There have been 639 positive COVID-19 cases and one death. One person is in hospital. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. There are 607 resolved cases. Cumulative cases may change as data is updated in Panorama.
“People are answering the call to get tested and helping identify where the virus is in our province, and I thank them for that,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “Getting tested is one of the ways we can work together to contain the spread of COVID-19.”
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 .
The province is renewing the state of emergency to protect the health and safety of Nova Scotians and ensure safety measures and other important actions can continue. The order will take effect at noon, Sunday, April 4, and extend to noon, Sunday, April 18, unless government terminates or extends it.
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 New Brunswick and 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.
Nova Scotians are asked to avoid non-essential travel to the city of Edmundston and surrounding communities in New Brunswick as a result of increased cases of COVID-19 in that area.
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 April 18, 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/
