**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
Seventeen New Cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia
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Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, will provide an update today, March 27, at 3 p.m.
This update will be livestreamed on http://novascotia.ca/stayinformed/webcast .
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As of today, March 27, Nova Scotia has 90 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Seventeen new cases were identified Thursday, March 26. Most are connected to travel or a known case. None of the new cases are connected to the St. Patrick’s Day gathering in Lake Echo, Halifax Regional Municipality. All attendees at the event are being contacted and are being tested. Case investigations are ongoing. At this point, public health cannot confirm a link to community spread.
It is imperative that anyone who has travelled outside Nova Scotia self-isolate for 14 days and for everyone to adhere to the five-person social gathering limit. As always, any Nova Scotian who develops symptoms of acute respiratory illness should limit their contact with others until they feel better. If they are concerned about COVID-19 they can go to http://811.novascotia.ca/ and use the online assessment tool. Anyone referred to an assessment site by 811 will be tested.
The 90 individuals affected range in age from under ten to mid-70’s. Two individuals are currently in hospital. Three individuals have recovered and their cases of COVID-19 are considered resolved. Cases have been identified in all parts of the province.
Public health is working to identify 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.
To date, Nova Scotia has 3,649 negative test results and 90 confirmed cases.
If you have travelled outside of Nova Scotia or been in close contact with someone who has travelled and are experiencing fever or new cough you should complete the online questionnaire before calling 811. The online questionnaire can be found at: http://811.novascotia.ca/
Nova Scotians can find accurate, up-to-date information, handwashing posters and fact sheets at http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus .
Today’s update will be livestreamed at 3 p.m. on http://novascotia.ca/stayinformed/webcast , @nsgov Facebook and YouTube channels.
Quick Facts:
— testing numbers are updated daily at http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus
— Nova Scotia’s Health Protection Act gives the chief medical officer of health the authority to give advice to protect public health and decrease risk to public health presented by communicable diseases such as COVID-19
— a state of emergency was declared under the Emergency Management Act on March 22 and remains in effect until noon, April 5
— under the state of emergency government can control or prohibit assembly as well as travel to and from areas. It can also coordinate commerce activity and emergency responders
— A new virus like COVID-19 can cause fear. Nova Scotians are encouraged to support each other and use technology to stay connected
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).
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