**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
Three New Cases of COVID-19
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As of today, Dec. 30, Nova Scotia has 25 active cases of COVID-19. Three new cases are being reported today.
All three cases are in Central Zone and are close contacts of previously reported cases.
One of the cases is at Prince Andrew High School and one is at Eric Graves Memorial Junior High School, both in Dartmouth. School communities have been notified directly. The schools are currently closed for the holiday break and will be cleaned again before staff return on Jan. 4.
Contact tracing for all three cases is underway. Everyone who is a close contact will be notified, tested and asked to self-isolate.
“It is encouraging to see case numbers staying low, and I am proud of the effort Nova Scotians are making to follow public health protocols and keep each other safe,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “We need to continue to be vigilant over the next number of months. I know we can contain the virus as long as we stay committed to one another and follow the protocols.”
Nova Scotia Health Authority’s labs completed 1,592 Nova Scotia tests on Dec. 29.
Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 111,344 tests. There have been 394 positive COVID-19 cases and no deaths. One person is currently in hospital. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 70. Three hundred and sixty-one cases are now resolved. Cumulative cases may change as data is updated in Panorama.
“The rest of the holiday season is critical for us and we need Nova Scotians to continue their vigilance with New Year’s celebrations,” said Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health. “Keep your gatherings small with no more than 10 people total. Stick with your family or your regular close social group of 10 as you say goodbye to 2020 and welcome in the new year.”
Public health guidance for holidays and celebrations can be found at http://novascotia.ca/protect-yourself-and-others-from-coronavirus/holidays/ .
Visit http://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/ to do a self-assessment if in the past 48 hours you have had or you are currently experiencing:
— fever (i.e. chills/sweats) or cough (new or worsening)
Or:
Two or more of the following symptoms (new or worsening):
— sore throat
— runny nose/nasal congestion
— headache
— shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
Call 811 if you cannot access the online self-assessment or wish to speak with a nurse about your symptoms.
When a new case of COVID-19 is confirmed, the person is directed to self-isolate at home, away from the public, for 14 days. Public health works to identify and test people who may have come in close contact with that person.
Anyone who has travelled outside of Atlantic Canada must self-isolate for 14 days. As always, anyone who develops symptoms of acute respiratory illness should limit their contact with others until they feel better.
It remains important for Nova Scotians to strictly adhere to the public health order and directives – practise good hand washing and other hygiene steps, maintain a physical distance when and where required. Wearing a non-medical mask is mandatory in most indoor public places.
The premiers of all four Atlantic provinces are cautioning against non-essential travel into neighbouring provinces. Currently, all non-essential travel into Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador requires a 14-day self-isolation. All public health directives of each province must be followed. Under Nova Scotia’s Health Protection Act order, visitors from outside Atlantic Canada must self-isolate for 14 days unless they completed their self-isolation in another Atlantic province.
Nova Scotians can find accurate, up-to-date information, handwashing posters and fact sheets at http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus .
Businesses and other organizations can find information to help them safely reopen and operate at http://novascotia.ca/reopening-nova-scotia .
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, 2020 and extended to Jan. 10, 2021
— online booking for COVID-19 testing appointments is available at http://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/
Additional Resources:
Government of Canada: http://canada.ca/coronavirus
Government of Canada information line 1-833-784-4397 (toll-free)
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)
If you need help with a non-crisis mental health or addiction concern call Community Mental Health and Addictions at 1-855-922-1122 (toll-free) weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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)
For more information about COVID-19 testing and online booking, visit http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/symptoms-and-testing/
