**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
842 New Cases of COVID-19, Hospital Outbreaks, Long-Term Care Outbreaks
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Today, January 5, Nova Scotia is reporting 842 new cases of COVID-19.
There are 498 cases in Central Zone, 141 cases in Eastern Zone, 121 cases in Western Zone and 82 cases in Northern Zone.
There are 45 people in hospital with eight in ICU. Their ages range from 26 to 98 years old, and the average age is 70. Of the 45 in hospital, 40 were admitted during the Omicron wave.
Of those in hospital:
— 5 (11.1 per cent) have had a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine
— 24 (53.3 per cent) are fully vaccinated (two doses)
— 2 (4.4 per cent) are partially vaccinated
— 14 (31.1 per cent) are unvaccinated
It is important to note that only 10 per cent of Nova Scotians are unvaccinated.
Because of a spike in testing and positive cases, public health is experiencing delays in follow-up. All cases should contact their close contacts. Public health is prioritizing contact tracing in long-term care, healthcare facilities, correctional facilities, shelters and other group settings.
Information about testing, self-isolation and case management is available at: https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirus .
Long-Term Care Outbreaks, Hospital Outbreaks
The Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) is reporting a new outbreak at Camp Hill Veterans Memorial site of the QEII Health Sciences Centre. Less than five patients at the facility have tested positive. All patients are being closely monitored and other infection prevention and control measures are being put in place.
NSHA is reporting additional cases related to the outbreaks at Northside General Hospital, a ward at New Waterford Consolidated Hospital and a ward at Victoria General site of the QEII Health Sciences Centre. Less than five patients at each facility have tested positive. All patients are being closely monitored and other infection prevention and control measures are being put in place.
In addition, there are ongoing outbreaks at the Halifax Infirmary, Dartmouth General Hospital, Victoria General site of the QEII Health Sciences Centre, St. Martha’s Regional Hospital in Antigonish, New Waterford Consolidated Hospital and Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Less than 12 patients at each facility have tested positive. All patients are being closely monitored and other infection prevention and control measures are being put in place. NSHA will provide a further update when more information is available.
The province is reporting two new outbreaks in long-term care facilities. Public health is working with the facilities to prevent further spread. Increased public health measures and restrictions are in place. The outbreaks are:
— one staff member and seven residents at the New Vision Special Care Home in the Annapolis Valley
— one staff members and four residents at Waterford Heights in New Waterford.
Three new cases are being reported at Melville Gardens in Halifax. A total of two residents and six staff members at the facility have tested positive.
Active Cases, Tests, Vaccination Data
As of today, there are an estimated 6,645 active cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia.
On January 4, NSHA’s labs completed 5,410 tests.
As of January 4, 1,815,283 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 795,461 Nova Scotians have received their second dose, and 155,144 eligible Nova Scotians have received a third dose.
Additional Resources:
Nova Scotians can find accurate, up-to-date information, handwashing posters and fact sheets at: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus
Information on provincewide restrictions that took effect December 22 and other public health measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 is available at: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/restrictions-and-guidance/
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-notifying-positive-covid-19-cases-text-advising-notify-close-contacts
Government of Canada: https://canada.ca/coronavirus or 1-833-784-4397 (toll-free)
