**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
Five New Presumptive Cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia
Update at 3pm: This update will be livestreamed on http://novascotia.ca/stayinformed/webcast .
—————————————————————
As of today, Nova Scotia has three confirmed cases and nine presumptive cases of COVID-19.
Five new cases were identified Tuesday, March 17. Four of the cases are travel-related and one is connected to an earlier case.
The 12 individuals affected range in age from early 30’s to mid-70’s. They are all in self-isolation and recovering at home.
Public health has been in contact with these individuals and working to identify others who may have come in close contact with them. Those individuals are also being directed to self-isolate at home, away from the public, for 14 days. They are located across the province. Northern Nova Scotia is the only region without a positive case of COVID-19 at this time.
The province is testing daily, working with our partners at the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg. To date, Nova Scotia has 1,141 negative test results, nine presumptive positive cases and three confirmed cases.
Anyone who has travelled outside of Canada must self-isolate for 14 days when they return to Nova Scotia. If you have been in close contact with someone who has travelled and are experiencing fever (above 38 C) and/or new cough you should complete the online questionnaire before calling 811. The online questionnaire can be found at: http://811.novascotia.ca/
Nova Scotians can find accurate, up-to-date information, handwashing posters and fact sheets at http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus .
Today’s update will be livestreamed at 3 p.m. on http://novascotia.ca/stayinformed/webcast , @nsgov Facebook and YouTube channels
Quick Facts:
— testing numbers are updated daily at http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus
— the Government of Canada has issued a travel advisory asking Canadians to avoid non-essential travel outside Canada until further notice
— Nova Scotia’s Health Protection Act gives the chief medical officer of health the authority to give advice to protect public health and decrease risk to public health presented by communicable diseases such as COVID-19
Additional Resources:
The Public Health Agency of Canada maintains a list of affected areas: http://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/health-professionals/covid-19-affected-areas-list.html
Government of Canada: http://canada.ca/coronavirus
Government of Canada toll-free information line 1-833-784-4397
Nova Scotia Public Health offices: http://www.nshealth.ca/public-health-offices
