**** COVID-19/HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
Nova Scotia Reports One More Death, One New Case of COVID-19
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There will be no COVID-19 media briefing today, May 11. There will be a briefing Tuesday, May 12 at 3 p.m.
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Today, May 11, Nova Scotia is reporting one additional death related to COVID-19, bringing the total to 48. The death occurred at the Northwood long-term care home in Halifax Regional Municipality.
“It is with heavy hearts we report the passing of another resident at Northwood. My thoughts are with the family and friends of this individual,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “All Nova Scotians are asked to do everything you can to continue to slow the spread of this virus in our province.”
As of May 11, Nova Scotia has 1,019 confirmed cases of COVID-19. One new case was identified Sunday, May 10.
“COVID-19 is a terrible disease, but we all play a role in how it impacts our province,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “Maintain social distance, wash your hands, stay home as much as possible, and clean high-use surfaces.”
The QEII Health Sciences Centre’s microbiology lab completed 291 Nova Scotia tests on May 10 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 18 staff with active cases. One other facility has one staff member with an active case of COVID-19 and another facility has one resident with an active case.
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 33,869 negative test results, 1,019 positive COVID-19 test results and 48 deaths. Confirmed cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. Nine individuals are currently in hospital, three of those in ICU. Seven-hundred and sixty-seven 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)
