**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
Nova Scotia Reports One More Death, Sixteen New Cases of COVID-19
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Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health will provide an update today, April 21, at 3:00 p.m.
This update will be livestreamed on http://novascotia.ca/stayinformed/webcast .
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Today, April 21, Nova Scotia is reporting another death related to COVID-19, bringing the total to 10. The death occurred at the Northwood long-term care home in Halifax Regional Municipality.
“This is a deeply sad day for the family and loved ones of this individual, as well as everyone at Northwood. Nova Scotians offer their heartfelt condolences to them,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “We will all get through this extraordinarily difficult time by pulling together and supporting each other.”
As of today, Nova Scotia has confirmed 737 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Sixteen new cases were identified Monday, April 20.
The QEII Health Sciences Centre’s microbiology lab completed 516 Nova Scotia tests on Monday, April 20 and is operating 24-hours.
As of April 20, there were 10 licensed long-term care homes and unlicensed seniors’ facilities in Nova Scotia with cases of COVID-19, involving 128 residents and 62 staff.
While most cases in Nova Scotia have been connected to travel or a known case, there is now community spread. That is why travel has been removed as a requirement for testing for COVID-19.
The list of symptoms being screened for has recently expanded. 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 22,190 negative test results, 737 positive COVID-19 test results and 10 deaths. Confirmed cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. Eleven individuals are currently in hospital, three of those in ICU. Two hundred and eighty-six 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 3
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).
