**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
Nova Scotia Reports Three More Deaths, Nine New Cases of COVID-19
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There is no media briefing today, May 7. There will be a briefing Friday, May 8.
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Today, May 7, Nova Scotia is reporting three additional deaths related to COVID-19, bringing the total to 44. The deaths occurred at the Northwood long-term care home in Halifax Regional Municipality.
“Losing a loved one is never easy and the restrictions around COVID-19 make it difficult for families to come together to grieve,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “My heart goes out to the families who are mourning the loss of their loved one today.”
As of today, Nova Scotia has 1,007 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Nine new cases were identified Wednesday, May 6.
“We’re doing everything we can to bring the situation at Northwood under control,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “Our number one concern in responding to this unprecedented public health emergency has always been, and continues to be, the safety and well-being of everyone.”
The QEII Health Sciences Centre’s microbiology lab completed 875 Nova Scotia tests on May 6 and is operating 24-hours.
There are three licensed long-term care homes and unlicensed seniors’ facilities in Nova Scotia with active cases of COVID-19. Northwood in Halifax currently has 156 residents and 44 staff with active cases. Two other facilities each have one staff member with an active case of COVID-19.
If you have two or more of the following symptoms, visit http://811.novascotia.ca to determine if you should call 811 for further assessment:
— fever
— new or worsening cough
— sore throat
— runny nose
— headache
To date, Nova Scotia has 32,289 negative test results, 1,007 positive COVID-19 test results and 44 deaths. Confirmed cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. Five individuals are currently in hospital, two of those in ICU. Seven-hundred and eight individuals have now recovered and their cases of COVID-19 are considered resolved. Cases have been identified in all parts of the province. A map and graphic presentation of the case data is available at http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/data .
Public health is working to identify and test people who may have come in close contact with the confirmed cases. Those individuals who have been confirmed are being directed to self-isolate at home, away from the public, for 14 days.
Anyone who has travelled outside Nova Scotia must self-isolate for 14 days. As always, any Nova Scotian who develops symptoms of acute respiratory illness should limit their contact with others until they feel better.
It is now more important than ever for Nova Scotians to strictly adhere to the public health orders and directives – practise good hygiene, maintain a physical distance of two metres or six feet from others, limit essential gatherings to no more than five people and stay at home as much as possible.
Nova Scotians can find accurate, up-to-date information, handwashing posters and fact sheets at http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus .
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 and extended to May 17
Additional Resources:
Government of Canada: http://canada.ca/coronavirus
Government of Canada toll-free information line 1-833-784-4397
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)
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)
