**** HEALTH /WELLNESS Media Release
Sixty-six New Cases of COVID-19
—————————————————————-
Sixty-six new cases of COVID-19 are being reported in Nova Scotia today, April 26.
Sixty cases are in Central Zone, eight of which were identified Sunday, April 25, at:
— Chebucto Heights Elementary, Halifax
— Joseph Howe Elementary, Halifax
— Oxford School, Halifax
— Bedford South School, Bedford
— Atlantic View Elementary, Lawrencetown
— Brookhouse Elementary, Dartmouth
— Cole Harbour District High, Dartmouth
— Nelson Whynder Elementary, North Preston
Three cases are in Eastern Zone, one of which was identified Sunday, April 25, at Jubilee Elementary in Sydney Mines.
Two cases are in Western Zone, and one case is in Northern Zone.
Due to an increased number of investigations in recent days, exposure category (i.e., travel, close contact or under investigation) is not always available by release time. A breakdown by zone identifying exposure categories will no longer be provided regularly. There is community spread in Central Zone. The Eastern, Northern and Western Zones continue to be closely monitored for community spread.
As of today, Nova Scotia has 323 active cases of COVID-19.
Nova Scotia Health Authority’s labs completed 11,335 Nova Scotia tests on April 25.
As of April 25, 276,075 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 34,816 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.
Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 391,079 tests. There have been 1,030 positive COVID-19 cases and two deaths. Five people are in hospital, two of which are in ICU. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. There are 705 resolved cases. Cumulative cases may change as data is updated in Panorama.
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 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.
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 May 2, 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/
