(Ed note: Exposure sites are first, then school closures follow below)

Nova Scotia Health Public Health is advising of potential exposure to COVID-19 at various locations in the Central, Western and Northern Zones and three Air Canada flights. In addition to media releases, all potential exposure notifications are listed here: http://www.nshealth.ca/covid-exposures.
Based on a decision made by the Medical Officers of Health, effective today, Public Health will only issue public potential exposure notifications in the Central Zone for locations where Public Health recommends people self-isolate and get tested. This means we will no longer be issuing notifications for low risk locations in Central Zone, such as retail or grocery stores. Given the risk of community transmission in the Central Zone, everyone should consider getting tested for COVID-19, not just those present at specific exposure locations. Public Health strongly encourages all Nova Scotians to get tested for COVID-19 and follow Public Health restrictions. We are increasing testing capacity to respond to the rising demand and plan to open an additional primary assessment centre this weekend at the Dartmouth Sportsplex. Public Health takes this work very seriously. Containing and managing this disease – and protecting the health of Nova Scotians – is our priority and focus. Any decision is made carefully in consideration of the risk posed to the community. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia.
Anyone who worked at or visited the following locations on the specified dates and times should immediately self-isolate and visit covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/ to book a COVID-19 test, regardless of whether or not they have COVID-19 symptoms. You can also call 811 if you don’t have online access or if you have other symptoms that concern you.
Regardless of whether or not you have COVID-19 symptoms, those present at the following locations on the named dates and times are required to self-isolate while waiting for their test result. If you get a negative result, you do not need to keep self-isolating. If you get a positive result, you will be contacted by Public Health about what to do next.
·        Mic Mac Bar and Grill (Mic Mac Place, 219 Waverley Rd, Dartmouth) on April 16 between 4:15 p.m. and 6 p.m. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at this location on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, April 30.·        Stubborn Goat (1579 Grafton St, Halifax) on April 18 between 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at this location on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, May 2.·        II Ferramenta Pizzeria (59 Duke St, Chester) on April 18 between 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at this location on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, May 2.·        Appleseed Diner (33 MacGregor Ave, New Glasgow) on April 18 between 10:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at this location on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, May 2.·        Café Marco Polo (15 Kings Wharf Place, Dartmouth) on April 15, 16 and 19 between 7 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., April 17 from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and April 18 between 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at this location on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, May 3.
Various Halifax Transit bus routes:o  Route 60 travelling from Pleasant Street towards Dartmouth Bridge Terminal on April 20 between 12:30 p.m. and 1:40 p.m. and travelling from Dartmouth Bridge Terminal towards Pleasant Street between 2:20 p.m. and 3:40 p.m. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at this location on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, May 4.o  Route 56 travelling from Dartmouth Bridge Terminal to Dartmouth Crossing on April 20 between 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. and travelling from Dartmouth Crossing to Dartmouth Bridge Terminal between 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at this location on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, May 4.
Regardless of whether or not you have COVID-19 symptoms, those present at the following locations on the named dates and times are required to self-isolate, get tested and continue self-isolating for 14 days, even with a negative test result.
·        360 Fit (170 Joseph Zatzman Dr, Unit 4, Dartmouth) on April 18 between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at this location on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, May 2.·        Impact Ministries Church (2465 Gottingen St, Halifax) on April 18 between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at this location on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, May 2. Anyone who was on the following flights in the specified rows and seats should visit https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en to book a COVID-19 test, regardless of whether or not they have COVID-19 symptoms. You can also call 811 if you don’t have online access or if you have other symptoms that concern you.

• Air Canada flight 604 travelling on April 12 from Toronto (7:50 a.m.) to Halifax (10:50 a.m.) Passengers in rows 17-23, seats A, B, C and D are asked to immediately visit https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en to book a COVID-19 test, regardless of whether or not they have COVID-19 symptoms. All other passengers on this flight should continue to self-isolate as required and monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus on this flight on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, April 29.

• Air Canada flight 604 travelling on April 15 from Toronto (7:50 a.m.) to Halifax (10:50 a.m.) Passengers in rows 25-31, seats A, B, C and D are asked to immediately visit https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en to book a COVID-19 test, regardless of whether or not they have COVID-19 symptoms. All other passengers on this flight should continue to self-isolate as required and monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus on this flight on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, April 29.

• Air Canada flight 8782 travelling on April 16 from Montreal (7:45 p.m.) to Halifax (9:30 p.m.) Passengers in rows 19-25, seats A, C and D are asked to immediately visit https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en to book a COVID-19 test, regardless of whether or not they have COVID-19 symptoms. All other passengers on this flight should continue to self-isolate as required and monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus on this flight on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, April 30.

Please remember:Do not go directly to a COVID-19 assessment centre without being directed to do so. Please book an appointment online or call 811 and do not go to a pop-up rapid testing location. Currently, anyone who traveled outside of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador is expected to self-isolate alone for 14 days after arriving. If a person returning from non-essential travel outside of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador is unable to isolate alone, then everyone in the home where they are isolating will have to self-isolate as well.
When Nova Scotia Health Public Health makes a public notification it is not in any way a reflection on the behaviour or activities of those named in the notification. All Nova Scotians are advised to continue monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms and are urged to follow Public Health guidelines on how to access care. Up to date information about COVID-19 is available at novascotia.ca/coronavirus

School closures:

Nova Scotia is reporting five additional cases of COVID-19, identified today, April 22, connected to schools in Central Zone.

One case was identified at each of the following schools:
— Dartmouth South Academy, Dartmouth
— Ross Road School, Westphal
— Holland Road Elementary, Fletchers Lake
— St. Catherine’s Elementary, Halifax
— St. Joseph’s-Alexander McKay Elementary, Halifax

Dartmouth South Academy and Ross Road School are closed to students and those schools are moving to at-home learning for a two-week period. They are both part of the families of schools that were included in the restrictions announced earlier today.

Holland Road Elementary will remain closed to students until Wednesday, April 28. Students will learn from home until the school reopens.

St. Catherine’s Elementary will remain closed to students until Wednesday, April 28. Students will learn from home until the school reopens.

St. Joseph’s-Alexander McKay Elementary is currently closed due to a previous case and is expected to reopen on Monday, April 26.

As with any positive case, public health will be in touch with any close contacts of these people and advise of next steps, including testing. Everyone who is a close contact will be notified, tested and asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

Out of an abundance of caution, public health is recommending that all students and staff be tested. No self-isolation is required, unless people have been identified as a close contact by public health or have symptoms.

Information about COVID-19 cases connected to public schools can be found at: https://www.ednet.ns.ca/backtoschool/case-info .

Because these cases came in after the cut-off for daily COVID-19 reporting, they are not included in today’s case update and will not appear on our data website, dashboard or daily COVID-19 case release until Friday, April 23.

Source: Releases #notw