**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
Five New Cases of COVID-19, Additional Variant Case Identified
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Five new cases of COVID-19 are being reported in Nova Scotia today, April 8.
Three cases are in Central Zone and are related to travel outside Atlantic Canada. The people are self-isolating, as required.
There are also two cases in Eastern Zone. Both are related to travel outside Atlantic Canada. The people are self-isolating, as required.
Unrelated to the cases announced today, one new UK variant case has been identified. The person is a Nova Scotia resident who is living and working outside of the province. This case has no known close contacts in Nova Scotia.
This brings the total number of cases of the UK variant in Nova Scotia to 23. The number of South African variant cases remains at 10.
“Day after day we are seeing the results of the hard work of Nova Scotians to keep the COVID-19 case numbers low,” said Premier Iain Rankin. “Let’s keep this up and stay ahead of the virus. Remember to follow the health protocols. We know how effective they are.”
As of today, Nova Scotia has 40 active cases of COVID-19.
Nova Scotia Health Authority’s labs completed 2,020 Nova Scotia tests on April 7.
As of April 7, 129,809 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 30,400 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.
Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 320,908 tests. There have been 665 positive COVID-19 cases and one death. One person is in hospital. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. There are 624 resolved cases. Cumulative cases may change as data is updated in Panorama.
“I’m pleased to see our efforts to contain the virus continue to work and our case numbers are remaining low. I want to thank Nova Scotians for their continued efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “The best way to protect one another is by wearing a mask, adhering to the gathering limits, washing your hands, staying home if you are feeling unwell and self-isolating if required.”
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 New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and 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.
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/
