Six new cases of COVID-19 are being reported in Nova Scotia today, March 21. 

Four of the cases are in Central Zone. Three of the cases are close contacts of previously reported cases and the other case is related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada. The person is self-isolating, as required.

Two of the cases are in Eastern Zone. Both cases are related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada and are self-isolating, as required. 

“Today is the last day of March Break, and kids and teachers head back to school tomorrow. Please remember to keep doing what we have been doing so well all along. Keep our social circles small, follow public health measures and get tested,” said Premier Ian Rankin.

As of today, Nova Scotia has 21 active cases of COVID-19.

Nova Scotia Health Authority’s labs completed 1,585 Nova Scotia tests on March 20.

Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 279,045 tests. There have been 599 positive COVID-19 cases and one death. No one is in hospital. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 80. There are 577 resolved cases. Cumulative cases may change as data is updated in Panorama.

“Until the majority of Nova Scotians have received their first dose of vaccine, and we have a high level of protection from the virus, we need to keep following public health protocols like wearing masks, washing our hands and staying six feet apart. This is what is keeping our communities and province safe,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health.

Nova Scotians are strongly encouraged to seek asymptomatic COVID-19 testing, particularly if they have a large number of close contacts due to their work or social activities. 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 New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island 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 .

Businesses and other organizations can find information to help them safely reopen and operate at https://novascotia.ca/reopening-nova-scotia .

Quick Facts:
— additional information on COVID-19 case data, testing and vaccines is available at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/data/
— a state of emergency was declared under the Emergency Management Act on March 22, 2020 and extended to April 4, 2021
— online booking for COVID-19 testing appointments is available at https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/

Source: Release #notw