**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
COVID-19 Weekly Data Report – March 24
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Nova Scotia’s weekly epidemiological report shows a continued increase in lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19. Between March 16 and 22, there were 13 deaths and 36 new hospital admissions. People aged 65 or older, and those who are partially vaccinated or unvaccinated, continue to have the highest rates of severe disease and death from COVID-19.
“The data in this week’s report is not unexpected,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. “We continue to see the impact of the first and second phases of our reopening reflected in the increase in PCR positive tests. This is always our earliest indicator. We will be closely monitoring the impact on hospitalizations in the weeks ahead.”
From March 16 to 22:
— there were 3,453 positive PCR tests performed at the lab
— there were 36 new hospital admissions due to COVID-19 and 20 discharges
— there are 42 people currently hospitalized for COVID-19 with a median age of 65
— of the current hospitalizations, 21.4 per cent were partially vaccinated or unvaccinated
— there were 13 COVID-19 deaths reported in Panorama, public health’s disease information system, during this period
— the median age of COVID-19 reported deaths since the start of the Omicron wave (December 8, 2021) is 79, and 24.8 per cent of people were partially vaccinated or unvaccinated
— as of March 22, 87.2 per cent of Nova Scotians were fully vaccinated, five per cent were partially vaccinated, and 7.8 per cent were unvaccinated
— as of March 22, 63.4 of Nova Scotians 18 and older have received a booster dose.
“My thoughts are with the families of those whose loved ones died of COVID-19,” said Dr. Strang. “The pandemic is not over – nor is the need to do our part as individuals to keep ourselves and others safe. We know that the very best line of defence against Omicron and the BA.2 variant is vaccine; and in particular, for adults, a booster dose. The booster is much more than a bonus – it is incredibly important to maximize our protection against severe illness, which, in turn, helps protect the people around us.”
All reported COVID-19 data can be found at: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/204d6ed723244dfbb763ca3f913c5cad
Additional Resources:
Information on Nova Scotia’s three-phase reopening plan is available at: https://novascotia.ca/reopening-plan/
Book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment online: https://novascotia.flow.canimmunize.ca/en/9874123-19-7418965
Government of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
