**** COVID-19/HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
Nova Scotia Reports Three More Deaths, Four New Cases of COVID-19
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As Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health explained at the news conference on Tuesday, May 12, significant work has been done this week to reconcile case data. He will provide further information at today’s news conference.
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Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, will provide an update today, May 13, at 3 p.m.
This update will be livestreamed on http://novascotia.ca/stayinformed/webcast .
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Today, May 13, Nova Scotia is reporting three additional deaths related to COVID-19, bringing the total to 51. The deaths occurred at the Northwood long-term care home in Halifax Regional Municipality.
“On behalf of all Nova Scotians, I offer my sincere condolences to those families who are grieving the loss of a loved one today,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “Northwood continues to receive all support possible from the province and our health system partners as we continue to slow the spread of this horrible virus.”
As of today, May 13, Nova Scotia has 1,024 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Four new cases were identified Tuesday, May 12.
The QEII Health Sciences Centre’s microbiology lab completed 502 Nova Scotia tests on May 12 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 64 residents and 13 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 34,604 negative test results, 1,024 positive COVID-19 test results and 51 deaths. Confirmed cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. Nine individuals are currently in hospital, four of those in ICU. Eight-hundred and seventy 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)
