**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
Three New Cases of COVID-19
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There will be no COVID-19 media briefing today, May 18.
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As of today, May 18, Nova Scotia has 1,043 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Three new cases were identified Sunday, May 17.
“I hope Nova Scotians are enjoying today’s holiday and I want to thank them for the sacrifices they have made over the last several weeks to slow the spread of this virus,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “We must keep working together and follow the public health guidelines so we can determine when we can begin a new normal.”
The QEII Health Sciences Centre’s microbiology lab completed 237 Nova Scotia tests on May 17 and is operating 24-hours.
“The lower case numbers we have seen over the last few days is encouraging, but it doesn’t mean we can let our guards down just yet,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “It is just as important now as ever to stay vigilant, follow public health advice and continue working to keep case numbers low.”
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 active cases. One other facility has one resident with active COVID-19.
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 36,263 negative test results, 1,043 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 forty-six 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 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 immediate family bubble and limit planned social gatherings of people outside your household or immediate family bubble to no more than five.
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)
