**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
One Death, 57 New Cases of COVID-19, 63 Recoveries
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Today, October 25, Nova Scotia is reporting one death related to COVID-19. A man in his 70s in Western Zone has died.
“My heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the man who has passed,” said Premier Tim Houston. “COVID-19 is still in our province. Please get vaccinated, stay home if you are sick and continue to follow public health protocols.”
Nova Scotia is also reporting 57 new cases of COVID-19 and 63 recoveries since the last update on October 23.
There are 29 cases in Central Zone, 17 cases in Northern Zone, 10 cases in Western Zone and one case in Eastern Zone.
“It is never easy to hear that a Nova Scotian has passed away as a result of COVID-19. My thoughts and prayers are with those who are grieving,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. “Getting vaccinated will not only protect you but also your loved ones and your community. I encourage all Nova Scotians to get both doses and keep doing all you can to protect each other.”
Five patients in a non-COVID unit at Valley Regional Hospital in Kentville have tested positive for COVID-19. One person is in intensive care at the hospital. Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) continues to test patients, staff and doctors identified as close contacts. As a precaution, NSHA has made testing available for staff and doctors on site who want to get tested.
Over the past three days, four schools were notified of an exposure(s) at their school. As always, all staff, parents and guardians are notified of exposures if a positive case (student, teacher or staff) was at the school while infectious. A list of schools with exposures is available online: https://backtoschool.ednet.ns.ca/school-exposures
As of today, Nova Scotia has 152 active cases of COVID-19. Of those, 11 people are in hospital, including two in ICU.
Nova Scotia Health Authority’s labs completed 2,269 tests on October 22; 2,599 tests on October 23; and 2,056 tests on October 24.
As of October 24, 1,562,774 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 755,858 Nova Scotians have received their second dose and 1,037 eligible Nova Scotians have received a third dose.
Since August 1, there have been 1,369 positive COVID-19 cases and five deaths. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. There are 1,212 resolved cases. Cumulative cases may change as data is updated in Panorama.
Testing advice:
Nova Scotians with or without symptoms can book a test at: https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en for COVID-19 for COVID-19 testing centres across the province. Those eligible to receive asymptomatic testing are listed at: https://www.nshealth.ca/visit-covid-19-testing-site . Those with no symptoms who do not meet the criteria are encouraged to use one of the rapid testing pop-up sites if they want to be tested. Some public health mobile unit clinics also offer drop-in testing; this will be noted in promotions.
Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms is advised to self-isolate and book a COVID-19 test.
Anyone advised by public health that they were a close contact needs to complete a full 14-day quarantine, regardless of test results, unless they are fully vaccinated. If they are fully vaccinated at least 14 days before the exposure date, they do not need to self-isolate as long as they are not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. They should still get tested and should monitor for symptoms up to 14 days after the exposure date. If symptoms develop, they should get tested and self-isolate until they receive a negative test result.
Symptoms and self-assessment:
Nova Scotians should visit https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/ to do a self-assessment if in the past 48 hours they have had or are currently experiencing:
— cough (new or worsening)
Or two or more of the following symptoms:
— fever (chills, sweats)
— headache
— runny nose or nasal congestion
— sore throat
— shortness of breath or 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 has been extended to October 31, 2021
Additional Resources:
Nova Scotians can find accurate, up-to-date information, handwashing posters and fact sheets at: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus
More information on COVID-19 case data, testing and vaccines is available at: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/data/
More information about public health text notifications of positive COVID-19 cases and close contacts is available here: https://www.nshealth.ca/news/public-health-begins-contacting-positive-covid-19-cases-close-contacts-text-message
Government of Canada: https://canada.ca/coronavirus or 1-833-784-4397 (toll-free)
