**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
One New Case of COVID-19
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There will be no COVID-19 media briefing today, June 7 or Monday, June 8. Government will continue to issue news releases on new cases each day.
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As of today, June 7, Nova Scotia has 1,059 confirmed cases of COVID-19. One new case was identified Saturday, June 6.
“As Nova Scotians enjoy the reopening of many businesses closed by COVID-19, I want to congratulate operators for working hard to welcome patrons back to a safe environment,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “The virus is still among us. We must remain vigilant and continue to follow public health measures.”
The QEII Health Sciences Centre’s microbiology lab completed 637 Nova Scotia tests on June 6 and is operating 24-hours.
“We still need to be cautious. That is why we are taking things slowly and monitoring how it goes,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “If everyone follows the public health rules, uses common sense, and acts with kindness, we will be in the best possible position to prevent further spread of COVID-19.”
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 45,466 negative test results, 1,059 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 of 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)
