**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
745 New Cases of COVID-19, Hospital Outbreaks
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Today, January 6, Nova Scotia is reporting 745 new cases of COVID-19.
There are 459 cases in Central Zone, 128 cases in Eastern Zone, 95 cases in Western Zone and 63 cases in Northern Zone.
There are 48 people in hospital with nine in ICU. Their ages range from 26 to 94 years old, and the average age is 68. Of the 48 in hospital, 44 were admitted during the Omicron wave.
The vaccination status of those in hospital is:
— 4 (8.3 per cent) people have had a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine
— 28 (58.3 per cent) are fully vaccinated (two doses)
— 2 (4.2 per cent) are partially vaccinated
— 14 (29.2 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 .
Hospital Outbreaks
The Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) is reporting a new outbreak at Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital. Fewer 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 also reporting additional cases related to the outbreaks in three hospitals. All patients are being closely monitored and other infection prevention and control measures are being put in place. The additional cases are:
— four additional patients in a ward at the Halifax Infirmary; there are now 16 patients who have tested positive
— six additional patients in a ward at New Waterford Consolidated Hospital; there are now 11 patients who have tested positive
— one additional patient in a ward at the Victoria General site of the QEII Health Sciences Centre; fewer than five people at the facility have tested positive.
Active Cases, Tests, Vaccination Data
As of today, there are an estimated 6,636 active cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia.
On January 5, NSHA’s labs completed 4,736 tests.
As of January 5, 1,828,474 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 795,716 Nova Scotians have received their second dose, and 167,430 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)
