**** NSHA Media Release
Public Health temporarily suspending calls to close contacts at
end of 14-day self-isolation
When a close contact (someone with a lengthy exposure to a person diagnosed with COVID-19 without physical distancing or wearing a mask) has completed their 14-day self-isolation period and has completed all required testing, those contacts would typically receive a call back from Public Health. This call would confirm that they can stop self-isolation and return to normal life, as long as they have no symptoms.
With the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in Nova Scotia, there are now several thousand close contacts who have completed their self-isolation and are awaiting a call back. Public Health continues to focus efforts on the investigation of new cases and their contacts and does not currently have the capacity to make this volume of calls.
Effective immediately, Nova Scotians who have been identified as close contacts can consider their self-isolation complete if they meet all of the following criteria:
- They have completed their full 14 days of self-isolation. Each person would have been given a self-isolation end date by Public Health (isolation ends at 11:59 p.m. on that date) AND
- They have completed all required testing AND
- They have not been re-exposed to COVID-19 AND
- They have no COVID-19 symptoms
Public Health identifies close contacts through a detailed investigation and review of the individual’s symptoms, where they have been, and who they have interacted with.
As is the case with all Nova Scotians, should these individuals have or develop symptoms, they must get re-tested and self-isolate until they receive a negative test result. Their household must also self-isolate until the individual with symptoms receives a negative result.
Public Health thanks all close contacts for completing their self-isolation requirements and helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia.
