**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release
Twenty-seven New Cases of COVID-19
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There will be no COVID-19 media briefing today, April 27.
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As of today, April 27, Nova Scotia has 900 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Twenty-seven new cases were identified Sunday, April 26.
“We will get through this extraordinarily difficult time by pulling together and supporting each another,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “Please continue to reach out to your loved ones, be there for those who are grieving or having a difficult time and know that we will come through this.”
The QEII Health Sciences Centre’s microbiology lab completed 645 Nova Scotia tests on April 26 and is operating 24-hours.
“Aggressive and accessible testing remains a critical part of Nova Scotia’s fight against COVID-19. We need to identify and treat as many cases as we can,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “If you have two of these symptoms – fever, new or worsening cough, sore throat, runny nose or headache – please visit the 811 website. If you do not have internet access then please call 811.”
As of April 26, there were 10 licensed long-term care homes and unlicensed seniors’ facilities in Nova Scotia with cases of COVID-19, involving 198 residents and 95 staff.
While most cases in Nova Scotia have been connected to travel or a known case, there is now community spread. That is why travel has been removed as a requirement for testing for 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 26,231 negative test results, 900 positive COVID-19 test results and 24 deaths. Confirmed cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. Twelve individuals are currently in hospital, three of those in ICU. Five-hundred and 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 3
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)
