**** COVID-19/HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
Seven New Cases of COVID-19
As of today, May 10, Nova Scotia has 1,018 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Seven new cases were identified Saturday, May 9.
“Mother’s Day weekend is usually filled with visits and hugs for moms, grandmothers and mother-figures. Unfortunately, for many families, Mother’s Day will look different this year,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “Please celebrate your mother as safely as possible today. If you don’t live with her, send your love virtually. This virus doesn’t pause its spread for even one day.”
The QEII Health Sciences Centre’s microbiology lab completed 676 Nova Scotia tests on May 9 and is operating 24-hours.
“Everything we are all doing to slow COVID-19 is working, but we are not out of the woods. This will be a many months-long process and we must remain vigilant,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “Enjoy your weekend and Mother’s Day while following our public health orders and recommendations.”
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 157 residents and 20 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 33,579 negative test results, 1,018 positive COVID-19 test results and 47 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 forty-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 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)
