**** COVID-19/HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
Three New Cases of COVID-19
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There will be no COVID-19 media briefings this weekend. Government will continue to issue news releases on new cases each day.
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As of today, May 16, Nova Scotia has 1,037 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Three new cases were identified Friday, May 15.
“Whatever you do this weekend, whether reconnecting with family or chatting with friends from a distance, please do it safely. Continue to follow the rules and don’t take risks,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “Our actions this weekend and every day going forward, will determine how quickly we can reopen our province in the weeks and months to come.”
The QEII Health Sciences Centre’s microbiology lab completed 665 Nova Scotia tests on May 15 and is operating 24-hours.
“Thank you to all Nova Scotians for taking this virus seriously. If we remain vigilant, we’ll be able to ease more restrictions and bring some normalcy back to our lives,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “Everyone has been following public health’s guidelines, keeping our case numbers headed in the right direction, and that’s why Nova Scotia families can reconnect this weekend.”
There are two licensed long-term care homes and unlicensed seniors’ facilities in Nova Scotia with active cases of COVID-19. Northwood in Halifax currently has 25 residents and nine staff with active cases. One other 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 35,703 negative test results, 1,037 positive COVID-19 test results and 55 deaths. Confirmed cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. Eight individuals are currently in hospital, four of those in ICU. Nine-hundred and thirty 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 31
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)
