**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
No New Cases 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, June 6, Nova Scotia has 1,058 confirmed cases of COVID-19. No new cases were identified Friday, June 5.
“As we come out of an unprecedented period of public health restrictions, I ask Nova Scotians to think local and support local,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “Businesses that are reopening this weekend have done a lot of work to ensure they’re providing a safe environment for their patrons. Please be patient as we all adapt together.”
The QEII Health Sciences Centre’s microbiology lab completed 763 Nova Scotia tests on June 5 and is operating 24-hours.
“I know many people are excited and anxious about businesses reopening or getting back to work. Our business community has done a tremendous job to prepare,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “We’re in this together and all of the planning will only work if everyone co-operates. Please remember that COVID-19 is still here, and we all need to be cautious and safe.”
There is one licensed long-term care home in Nova Scotia with active cases of COVID-19. Northwood in Halifax currently has one resident and one staff active cases.
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 45,094 negative test results, 1,058 positive COVID-19 test results and 61 deaths. Confirmed cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. Three individuals are currently in hospital, two of those in ICU. Nine-hundred and ninety-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 gatherings of people outside your household or family household bubble to no more than 10.
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 at http://novascotia.ca/reopening-nova-scotia/ .
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 June 14
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)
