**** COVID-19/HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
One New Case of COVID-19
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There will be no COVID-19 media briefings this weekend. Government will continue to issue news releases on new cases each day.
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As of today, May 23, Nova Scotia has 1,049 confirmed cases of COVID-19. One new case was identified Friday, May 22.
“As we prepare to reopen our province safely, I want to continue to thank Nova Scotians for their patience and vigilance. I know this has been difficult,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “For those who have reopened, I want to acknowledge your strong efforts to do so safely. Public safety will remain the focus of our actions going forward.”
The QEII Health Sciences Centre’s microbiology lab completed 561 Nova Scotia tests on May 22 and is operating 24-hours.
“New case numbers are staying low and we continue to head in the right direction. We can, and should, be proud of how we’ve fared,” said Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health. “With nicer weather and looser restrictions, I ask all Nova Scotians to continue practising good hygiene, limiting non-essential travel, staying home if you’re feeling unwell, limiting large groups and wearing non-medical masks when and where appropriate.”
There are two licensed long-term care homes and unlicensed seniors’ facilities in Nova Scotia with active cases of COVID-19. Northwood in Halifax currently has 12 residents and four staff with active cases. One other facility has one resident with an active case.
The list of symptoms being screened for has recently expanded. If you have any one of the following symptoms, visit http://811.novascotia.ca to determine if you should call 811 for further assessment:
— fever (i.e. chills, sweats)
— cough or worsening of a previous cough
— sore throat
— headache
— shortness of breath
— muscle aches
— sneezing
— nasal congestion/runny nose
— hoarse voice
— diarrhea
— unusual fatigue
— loss of sense of smell or taste
— red, purple or blueish lesions on the feet, toes or fingers without clear cause
To date, Nova Scotia has 37,671 negative test results, 1,049 positive COVID-19 test results and 58 deaths. Confirmed cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. Six individuals are currently in hospital, three of those in ICU. Nine-hundred and sixty-nine 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 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 of two metres or six feet from those not in your household or family household bubble and limit planned social gatherings of people outside your household or family household bubble to no more than five.
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 31
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)
