Today, May 15, Nova Scotia is reporting four additional deaths related to COVID-19, bringing the total to 55. The deaths occurred at the Northwood long-term care home in Halifax Regional Municipality.
As of today, May 15, Nova Scotia has 1,034 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Eight new cases were identified Thursday, May 14.
The QEII Health Sciences Centre’s microbiology lab completed 473 Nova Scotia tests on May 14 and is operating 24-hours.
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 25 residents and 15 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 https://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 35,375 negative test results, 1,034 positive COVID-19 test results and 55 deaths. Confirmed cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. Nine individuals are currently in hospital, five of those in ICU. Nine-hundred and eighteen 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 https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/data .
The province is renewing the state of emergency for two more weeks. The order will take effect at noon Sunday, May 17 and extend to noon Sunday, May 31, unless government terminates or extends it.
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 https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus .
Quick Facts:
— testing numbers are updated daily at https://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: https://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)