**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
COVID-19 Weekly Data Report for May 19, 2022
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Nova Scotia is reporting 2,513 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19, 59 hospitalizations and 24 deaths during the seven-day period ending May 16. The number of new cases – including those linked to long-term care facility outbreaks – and the number of new hospital admissions continue to decline, as they have since the peak of the sixth wave in April.
“Declines in new cases and hospitalizations are welcome news, but my thoughts are with the 24 families who’ve lost their loved ones to COVID-19,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. “Getting vaccinated, wearing a mask, staying home when we’re sick – these are small signs of respect to those families and to the many others whose lives have been, and still are, impacted by this virus.”
Overall, the data show that the risk of hospitalization is nearly 11 times higher, and the risk of death is nearly 114 times higher for people 70 and older compared to younger people. Of the 24 deaths reported this week, 22 people (91.7 per cent) were 70 years of age or older. Nine people (37.5 per cent) lived in long-term care facilities.
Vaccination continues to offer significant protection against severe outcomes across all age groups. While the number of hospitalizations and deaths during the Omicron waves has been higher than in previous waves – including among people 70 and older – the overall rates have been lower, due in part to protection from vaccine. However, evidence shows that immunity gained from vaccine wanes more quickly among those 70 and older, which is why a second booster dose is recommended for this group.
Across all age groups, the unvaccinated continue to be at highest risk of severe disease. The data show that having three doses of vaccine – a full primary series and a booster – reduces the risk of hospitalization by 85 per cent and the risk of death by more than 92 per cent.
The weekly COVID-19 epidemiologic summary is prepared for the Chief Medical Officer of Health and his team to inform public health’s management of the pandemic. It tracks weekly trends and is focused on monitoring for severe outcomes in key populations. The full report is available here: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/alerts-notices/#epidemiologic-summaries
For the seven-day period ending May 16:
— there were 2,513 new PCR-confirmed cases
— there were 59 new hospitalizations due to COVID-19
— there were 24 COVID-19 deaths reported in Panorama, public health’s disease information system.
Since the start of the fifth wave (December 8, 2021):
— the median age of PCR-confirmed cases of COVID-19 is 43
— the median age of hospitalizations is 71
— the median age of reported deaths is 81.
As of May 19, 65.5 per cent of Nova Scotians 18 and older have received a booster dose and 52,725 people have received a fourth dose of vaccine.
Quick Facts:
— the sixth wave of the pandemic started March 1
— other respiratory viruses are also in the province, and there were 25 new cases of influenza reported for the week ending May 14; 84 per cent were in people 44 years of age or younger
Additional Resources:
COVID-19 public dashboard: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/204d6ed723244dfbb763ca3f913c5cad
Book a COVID-19 vaccine appointment: https://novascotia.flow.canimmunize.ca/en/9874123-19-7418965
Information on testing, including where to get a rapid testing kit: https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting
Report a positive COVID-19 test to be linked to public health support, including virtual care and treatment for those who are eligible: https://c19hc.nshealth.ca/self-report/
Government of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html
The weekly Respiratory Watch report, which includes new cases of influenza, is available at: https://novascotia.ca/dhw/CDPC/respiratory-watch.asp
