**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
Nova Scotia Reports Two More Deaths, Eight New Cases of COVID-19
—————————————————————
There will be no COVID-19 media briefings today, April 26, and Monday, April 27.
Government will continue to issue news releases on new cases each day.
———————————————————————————————————————
Today, April 26, Nova Scotia is reporting two additional deaths related to COVID-19, bringing the total to 24. The deaths occurred at the Northwood long-term care home in Halifax Regional Municipality.
“Every time a family loses a loved one to this virus, the pain is new. Two more families must say goodbye and not being able to gather with friends and neighbours to mourn together only makes it harder. Your entire province grieves with you,” said Premier Stephen McNeil.
As of today, Nova Scotia has 873 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Eight new cases were identified Saturday, April 25.
“We continue to see the devastating impact this virus can have. Please stay strong and stay the course,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “You can and should enjoy the outdoors this weekend, but please do it safely. Stay in your yard, walk around your neighbhourhood and keep your distance from others.”
The QEII Health Sciences Centre’s microbiology lab completed 673 Nova Scotia tests on April 25 and is operating 24-hours. Nova Scotia has conducted more COVID-19 tests per capita than any other province.
As of April 25, there were 10 licensed long-term care homes and unlicensed seniors’ facilities in Nova Scotia with cases of COVID-19, involving 197 residents and 95 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 25,615 negative test results, 873 positive COVID-19 test results and 24 deaths. Confirmed cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. Thirteen individuals are currently in hospital, three of those in ICU. Four hundred and thirty-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 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)
