**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
49 New Cases of COVID-19, 98 Recoveries
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Today, May 24, Nova Scotia is reporting 49 new cases of COVID-19 and 98 recoveries.
There are 41 cases in Central Zone and 8 in Eastern Zone. Cumulative cases by zone have changed as data was recently updated in Panorama. Changes can occur when large amounts of case data are validated at one time.
“Today, I received my first dose of vaccine,” said Premier Iain Rankin. “The spirit at the vaccine clinics is extraordinary. I can’t thank front-line workers enough for the important work they’re doing to ensure that we are all protected.”
There is community spread in Central Zone and in Sydney. Northern and Western Zones continue to be closely monitored for community spread.
As of today, Nova Scotia has 894 active cases of COVID-19. There are 72 people in hospital, including 19 in ICU. The median age of people hospitalized in the third wave is 53 for non-ICU, and 58 for people in ICU.
On May 23, Nova Scotia Health Authority’s labs completed 4,364 tests.
Updated vaccination data will be available tomorrow.
“The number of positive cases being reported today is lower,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “While that is a good sign, our testing numbers are also down today. Our testing centres are open, and I encourage those that are out to stop in and get tested.”
Since April 1, there have been 3,593 positive COVID-19 cases and 13 deaths. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. There are 2,686 resolved cases.
Travel within Nova Scotia:
Nova Scotians should remain as close to their home and community as possible, unless travel is essential for work, caregiving, necessary shopping or medical appointments, including vaccination appointments. In this instance, ‘community’ is defined as one’s municipality or county. Detailed information is available at http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/restrictions-and-guidance/ .
Testing advice:
Nova Scotians with or without symptoms can book a test at http://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en for primary assessment centres across the province. Those with no symptoms are strongly encouraged to use pop-up sites if they want to be tested.
More information on testing can be found at http://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting .
Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms is advised to self-isolate and book a COVID-19 test. Everyone they live with must also self-isolate until the person receives their first negative test result. If the test is positive, public health will advise everyone about what to do.
Anyone advised by public health that they were a close contact needs to complete a full 14-day quarantine, regardless of test results. If the close contact is symptomatic, everyone they live with must also self-isolate until the person receives their first negative test result. If the test is positive, public health will advise everyone about what to do.
Symptoms and self-assessment:
Nova Scotians should visit http://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/ to do a self-assessment if in the past 48 hours they have had or are currently experiencing mild symptoms, including:
— fever (i.e. chills/sweats) or cough (new or worsening)
— sore throat
— runny nose/nasal congestion
— headache
— shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
People should call 811 if they cannot access the online self-assessment or wish to speak with a nurse about their symptoms.
Anyone with symptoms should immediately self-isolate and book a test.
Quick Facts:
— a state of emergency was declared under the Emergency Management Act on March 22, 2020, and extended to May 30, 2021
— due to an increased number of investigations, the exposure category (i.e., travel, close contact or under investigation) is not available by release time; a breakdown by zone identifying exposure categories will no longer be provided regularly
Additional Resources:
More information on COVID-19 case data, testing and vaccines is available at: http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/data/
More information on testing for the Sydney, Bridgwater and Annapolis Valley areas can be found at: http://www.nshealth.ca/news/public-health-increasing-covid-19-testing-capacity-across-province-address-areas-concern-0
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
More information about public health text notifications of positive COVID-19 cases and close contacts is available here: http://www.nshealth.ca/news/public-health-begins-contacting-positive-covid-19-cases-close-contacts-text-message
More information on what is considered essential travel is available here: http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/travel/#from-outside-atlantic-canada
Government of Canada: http://canada.ca/coronavirus or 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)
Anyone needing help with a non-crisis mental health or addiction concern can 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)
