As of today, Feb. 4, Nova Scotia has 10 active cases of COVID-19. One new case is being reported today.

The case is in Central Zone and is related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada. The person is self-isolating, as required.

“Nova Scotians can be proud of the work they’re doing to keep our case numbers low,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “It shows people are taking the health of their fellow citizens seriously. I encourage everyone to continue following public health guidelines to keep the virus contained.”

Nova Scotia Health Authority’s labs completed 854 Nova Scotia tests on Feb. 3. 

Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 166,074 tests. There have been 495 positive COVID-19 cases and no deaths. Two people are currently in hospital, including one in ICU. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 70. Four hundred and eighty-five cases are now resolved. Cumulative cases may change as data is updated in Panorama.

As of Feb. 3, 16,448 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 4,046 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.

“As we are seeing low case numbers, we are also noticing fewer people taking advantage of our asymptomatic testing, but we need people to continue getting tested,” said Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health. “I want to encourage everyone, especially people with a high number of contacts, to make asymptomatic testing part of their regular routine. Testing is one way to stop COVID-19 before it has a chance to spread.”

Nova Scotians are strongly encouraged to seek asymptomatic COVID-19 testing, particularly if they have had several social interactions, even within their own social circles. Appointments can be booked at https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/, by choosing the asymptomatic option. Rapid testing pop-up sites continue to be set up around the province as well. More information on testing can be found at https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting. 
Visit https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/ to do a self-assessment if in the past 48 hours you have had or you are currently experiencing:
— fever (i.e. chills/sweats) or cough (new or worsening) 

Or:
Two or more of the following symptoms (new or worsening):
— sore throat
— runny nose/nasal congestion
— headache
— shortness of breath/difficulty breathing

Call 811 if you cannot access the online self-assessment or wish to speak with a nurse about your symptoms.

When a new case of COVID-19 is confirmed, the person is directed to self-isolate at home, away from the public, for 14 days. Public health works to identify and test people who may have come in close contact with that person.

Anyone who has travelled from anywhere except Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador must self-isolate for 14 days. As always, anyone 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 when and where required. Wearing a non-medical mask is mandatory in most indoor public places.

Nova Scotians can find accurate, up-to-date information, handwashing posters and fact sheets at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus .

Source: Release