**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
16 New Cases of COVID-19, 15 Recoveries, State of Emergency Renewed
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Today, June 25, Nova Scotia is reporting 16 new cases of COVID-19 and 15 recoveries.
Fifteen of the cases are in Central Zone. Eleven are close contacts and four are related to travel. The close contacts are within a linked group of families and do not represent wide community spread.
The other case is in Eastern Zone and is related to travel.
Three of the Central Zone cases were reported Thursday, June 24. Two are connected to Joseph Howe Elementary and the other is connected to St. Joseph’s-Alexander McKay Elementary. Although these cases were reported yesterday, because they came in after yesterday’s cut-off for reporting, they will appear on the COVID-19 data dashboard today.
There is limited community spread in Central Zone. Eastern, Northern and Western Zones continue to be closely monitored for community spread.
“Now is not the time to be complacent,” said Premier Iain Rankin. “Our strong adherence to public health protocols has helped us get our numbers down, but COVID-19 isn’t done yet. We need to still follow the public health measures, stay home if you feel unwell and wash your hands.”
There have been 4,108 cases from March 15 to June 22, 2021. Of those:
— 26 (0.6 per cent) were fully vaccinated
— 219 (5.4 per cent) were partially vaccinated
— 3,863 (94 per cent) were unvaccinated
There were 252 people hospitalized. Of those:
— 2 (0.8 per cent) were fully vaccinated
— 27 (10.7 per cent) were partially vaccinated
— 223 (88.5 per cent) were unvaccinated
Twenty-six people died. Of those:
— 1 (3.8 per cent) was fully vaccinated
— 3 (11.5 per cent) were partially vaccinated
— 22 (84.6 per cent) were unvaccinated
As of today, Nova Scotia has 60 active cases of COVID-19. Of those, two people are in hospital COVID-19 units. The median age of people hospitalized in the third wave is 52 for non-ICU and 55 for people in ICU.
On June 24, Nova Scotia Health Authority’s labs completed 3,321 tests.
There were 8,909 tests administered between June 18 and 24 at the rapid-testing pop-up sites in Halifax, Dartmouth, Sackville, Sydney, Shelburne, Chester and New Minas.
As of June 24, 847,830 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 147,001 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.
“Today’s cases are a bit higher than what we have seen lately, but the majority of our new cases are close contacts of previously reported cases,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “This is an important reminder that while we are reopening and easing restrictions, it is important to keep your social circles small, get vaccinated as soon as you can and get tested often.”
Since April 1, there have been 4,072 positive COVID-19 cases and 26 deaths. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. There are 3,986 resolved cases. Cumulative cases may change as data is updated in Panorama.
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 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.
The province is renewing the state of emergency to protect the health and safety of Nova Scotians and ensure safety measures and other important actions can continue. The order will take effect at noon, Sunday, June 27, and extend to noon, Sunday, July 11, unless government terminates or extends it.
Quick Facts:
— a state of emergency was declared under the Emergency Management Act on March 22, 2020, and extended to July 11, 2021
Additional Resources:
More information on COVID-19 case data, testing and vaccines is available at: http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/data/
Nova Scotians can find accurate, up-to-date information, handwashing posters and fact sheets at: http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus
Nova’s Scotia’s five-phase reopening plan, announced May 28, 2021: http://novascotia.ca/reopening-plan/
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)
