Four new cases of COVID-19 are being reported today, Jan. 22. Nova Scotia has 22 active cases.

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

Two cases are in Western Zone and are related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada. Both people are self-isolating, as required. One of the cases is a student at Acadia University in Wolfville. The student had completed the required 14-day self-isolation but tested positive shortly afterward and is self-isolating again.

One case is in Northern Zone and is a close contact of a previously reported case.

One of the cases reported Thursday, Jan. 21 in Northern Zone is connected to École acadienne de Truro, a pre-primary to Grade 12 school in Truro. Although the case was reported yesterday, because it came in after yesterday’s cut-off for reporting, it will appear on the data website and dashboard as one of the cases being reported today.

Nova Scotia Health Authority’s labs completed 1,450 Nova Scotia tests on Jan. 21. The lab confirmed today that the National Microbiology Lab identified two variant cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia, one UK and one South African variant, tested in December. Both of the cases were related to travel outside of Canada and were reported in Central Zone.

As part of ongoing surveillance, Nova Scotia has been submitting samples to the National Microbiology Laboratory for sequencing since the first wave of the pandemic. The province has submitted all the positive samples from the first wave for sequencing and there were none that were of the UK or South African variant. Samples will continue to be submitted for sequencing as necessary based on case information.

As of Jan. 21, 10,575 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 2,705 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.

There were 918 tests administered between Jan. 15 and 21 at the rapid-testing pop-up sites in Halifax, Bridgewater, Wolfville and Millbrook.

Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 149,042 tests. There have been 481 positive COVID-19 cases and no deaths. No one is currently in hospital. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 70. Four hundred and fifty-nine cases are now resolved. Cumulative cases may change as data is updated in Panorama.

Post-secondary students returning to Nova Scotia from anywhere except Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador are strongly encouraged to visit https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/ to book a COVID-19 test for day six, seven or eight of their 14-day self-isolation period. COVID-19 testing appointments can be booked up to three days in advance.

The province is renewing the state of emergency to protect the health and safety of Nova Scotians and ensure safety measures and other important actions can continue. The order will take effect at noon Sunday, Jan. 24 and extend to noon Sunday, Feb. 7, unless government terminates or extends it.

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 #notw