**** COVID-19/HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
Nova Scotia Reports Two More Deaths, Four New Cases of COVID-19
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There will be no COVID-19 media briefings this weekend. Government will continue to issue news releases on new cases each day.
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Today, May 2, Nova Scotia is reporting two additional deaths related to COVID-19, bringing the total to 31. The deaths occurred at the Northwood long-term care home in Halifax Regional Municipality.
“On behalf of all Nova Scotians, I want to offer my condolences to the families of the residents of Northwood who have died due to COVID-19. I am very sorry for your loss,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “I ask Nova Scotians to continue to fight this virus through diligent social distancing, hand washing and common sense. When you are outside this weekend, taking care of your physical and mental health, please keep these things top of mind.”
As of today, Nova Scotia has 963 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Four new cases were identified Friday, May 1.
“We are working very hard with the Northwood team and the health authority to isolate the virus to protect the residents and staff at Northwood,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “Please continue to follow public health directives and advice. We must all keep working as one to fight COVID-19.”
The QEII Health Sciences Centre’s microbiology lab completed 866 Nova Scotia tests on May 1 and is operating 24-hours.
As of May 1, there were 10 licensed long-term care homes and unlicensed seniors’ facilities in Nova Scotia with cases of COVID-19, involving 239 residents and 109 staff.
If you have two or more of the following symptoms, visit http://811.novascotia.ca to determine if you should call 811 for further assessment:
— fever
— new or worsening cough
— sore throat
— runny nose
— headache
To date, Nova Scotia has 29,406 negative test results, 963 positive COVID-19 test results and 31 deaths. Confirmed cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. Nine individuals are currently in hospital, three of those in ICU. Six-hundred and nine individuals have now recovered and their cases of COVID-19 are considered resolved. Cases have been identified in all parts of the province. A map and graphic presentation of the case data is available at http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/data .
Public health is working to identify and test people who may have come in close contact with the confirmed cases. Those individuals who have been confirmed are being directed to self-isolate at home, away from the public, for 14 days.
Anyone who has travelled outside Nova Scotia must self-isolate for 14 days. As always, any Nova Scotian who develops symptoms of acute respiratory illness should limit their contact with others until they feel better.
It is now more important than ever for Nova Scotians to strictly adhere to the public health orders and directives – practise good hygiene, maintain a physical distance of two metres or six feet from others, limit essential gatherings to no more than five people and stay at home as much as possible.
Nova Scotians can find accurate, up-to-date information, handwashing posters and fact sheets at http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus .
Quick Facts:
— testing numbers are updated daily at http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus
— a state of emergency was declared under the Emergency Management Act on March 22 and extended to May 17
Additional Resources:
Government of Canada: http://canada.ca/coronavirus
Government of Canada toll-free information line 1-833-784-4397
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)
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)
