**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
86 New Cases of COVID-19, 115 Recoveries
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Today, May 15, Nova Scotia is reporting 86 new cases of COVID-19 and 115 recoveries.
There are 66 cases in Central Zone, 11 in Eastern Zone, four in Western Zone and five in Northern Zone.
“I’m pleased to see that our new case number is a double-digit figure for the first time in more than two weeks,” said Premier Iain Rankin. “Thanks to the sacrifices of Nova Scotians, we’re seeing hopeful signs of a downward trend. However, we must stick with the restrictions and public health measures to stop the spread while we continue to vaccinate more and more Nova Scotians.”
One of the cases in Central Zone involves a staff member at The Ivy Meadows, a long-term care facility in Beaver Bank. At the direction of public health and as an added precaution, residents and staff from the affected unit are being tested. Most residents have been fully vaccinated with two doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
There is community spread in Central Zone. The Eastern, Northern and Western Zones continue to be closely monitored for community spread. There are some areas of concern, particularly in Sydney, Bridgewater and the Annapolis Valley from New Minas to Kentville. Testing has been increased in these areas.
As of today, Nova Scotia has 1,509 active cases of COVID-19. There are 96 people in hospital, including 23 in ICU.
On May 14, Nova Scotia Health Authority’s labs completed 10,272 tests.
“Today’s new case number shows that things are heading in the right direction, and the hard work we’re doing is helping to slow the spread,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “We all must continue to follow the public health protocols to bring those numbers down and be in a position to start re-opening in June.”
Since April 1, there have been 2,868 positive COVID-19 cases and six deaths. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. There are 1,354 resolved cases. The median age of people hospitalized in the third wave is 55 for non-ICU, and 58 for people in ICU. Cumulative cases may change as data is updated in Panorama.
Travel within Nova Scotia:
Nova Scotians should remain as close to their home and community as possible, unless travel is essential for work, caregiving, necessary shopping or medical appointments, including vaccination appointments. In this instance, ‘community’ is defined as one’s municipality or county. Detailed information is available at http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/restrictions-and-guidance/ .
Testing advice:
Nova Scotians with or without symptoms can book a test at http://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en for primary assessment centres across the province. Those with no symptoms are strongly encouraged to use pop-up sites if they are not showing symptoms but want to be tested.
More information on testing can be found at http://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting .
Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms is advised to self-isolate and book a COVID-19 test. Everyone they live with must also self-isolate until the person receives their first negative test result. If the test is positive, public health will advise everyone about what to do.
Anyone advised by public health that they were a close contact needs to complete a full 14-day quarantine, regardless of test results. If the close contact is symptomatic, everyone they live with must also self-isolate until the person receives their first negative test result. If the test is positive, public health will advise everyone about what to do.
Symptoms and self-assessment:
Nova Scotians should visit http://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/ to do a self-assessment if in the past 48 hours they have had or are currently experiencing mild symptoms, including:
— fever (i.e. chills/sweats) or cough (new or worsening)
— sore throat
— runny nose/nasal congestion
— headache
— shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
People should call 811 if they cannot access the online self-assessment or wish to speak with a nurse about their symptoms.
Anyone with symptoms should immediately self-isolate and book a test.
Quick Facts:
— a state of emergency was declared under the Emergency Management Act on March 22, 2020, and extended to May 30, 2021
— due to an increased number of investigations, the exposure category (i.e., travel, close contact or under investigation) is not available by release time; a breakdown by zone identifying exposure categories will no longer be provided regularly
Additional Resources:
More information on COVID-19 case data, testing and vaccines is available at: http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/data/
More information on testing for the Sydney, Bridgwater and Annapolis Valley areas can be found at: http://www.nshealth.ca/news/public-health-increasing-covid-19-testing-capacity-across-province-address-areas-concern-0
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
More information about public health text notifications of positive COVID-19 cases and close contacts is available here: http://www.nshealth.ca/news/public-health-begins-contacting-positive-covid-19-cases-close-contacts-text-message
More information on what is considered essential travel is available here: http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/travel/#from-outside-atlantic-canada
Government of Canada: http://canada.ca/coronavirus or 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)
Anyone needing help with a non-crisis mental health or addiction concern can 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)
