As of today, Dec. 20, Nova Scotia has 41 active cases of COVID-19. Two new cases are being reported today.
One new case is in Northern Zone and is related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada. The person is self-isolating, as required. The other is in Central Zone and is still under investigation.
“It is encouraging to see low case numbers as we start a new phase of guidelines and restrictions tomorrow,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “We can do our part to contain the virus by following these protocols that are designed to keep our social gatherings small and our communities safe.”
New restrictions come into effect at 12:00 a.m. Dec. 21. Most of them apply provincewide. In areas of Halifax Regional Municipality and Hants County, restaurants, licensed establishments and the Halifax casino remain closed until Jan. 10. The complete list of restrictions is available at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/restriction-updates/.
Nova Scotia Health Authority’s labs completed 1,409 Nova Scotia tests on Dec. 19.
Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 98,238 tests. There have been 356 positive COVID-19 cases and no deaths. No one is currently in hospital. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 70. Three hundred and 15 cases are now resolved. Cumulative cases may change as data is updated in Panorama.
“Through the holiday season, we all need to make some sacrifices to prevent the virus from spreading,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “Let’s show how much we care about each other and our communities by keeping our gatherings small and following all the public health measures.”
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, public health works to identify and test people who may have come in close contact with that person. 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 of Atlantic Canada 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 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.
Rules concerning interprovincial travel within Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador have changed. The premiers of all four Atlantic provinces are cautioning against non-essential travel into neighbouring provinces. Currently, all non-essential travel into Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador requires a 14-day self-isolation. All public health directives of each province must be followed. Under Nova Scotia’s Health Protection Act order, visitors from outside Atlantic Canada must self-isolate for 14 days unless they completed their self-isolation in another Atlantic province.
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 at https://novascotia.ca/reopening-nova-scotia .
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 Dec. 27
— online booking for COVID-19 testing appointments is available for Nova Scotians getting a test at all primary assessment centres or at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax
Additional Resources:
Government of Canada: https://canada.ca/coronavirus
Government of Canada information line 1-833-784-4397 (toll-free)
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)
For more information about COVID-19 testing and online booking, visit https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/symptoms-and-testing/
The COVID-19 self-assessment is at https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/