N.S. gears up for vaccine rollout
HALIFAX — Nova Scotia reported eight new cases of COVID-19 on Monday as the province geared up to receive its first batch of vaccines next week.
Four of the new cases are in the central health zone. One is the case reported Sunday evening at Ian Forsyth Elementary School in Dartmouth. The other three are close contacts of previously reported cases.
Two new cases are in the western health zone, including the one announced Sunday at Berwick District School. The other western zone case is related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada.
And there are two new cases in the eastern health zone, which includes Cape Breton. One is related to travel outside Atlantic Canada and the other case is under investigation, the health department said in a news release.
The number of active cases now stands at 90 — up by two compared to Sunday — because six more people have recovered from the virus.
“We know this virus wants to spread, but we also know we can contain it if we follow the public health guidance,” said Premier Stephen McNeil in the release. "It is crucial that everyone limit non-essential travel, follow the gathering limits in your region, wear a mask, limit social contacts, practise social distancing, stay home when feeling unwell and wash your hands.”
Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health, reiterated that while case numbers have dropped in recent days, that doesn't mean COVID-19 is no longer a risk.
“If we don't follow all the public health measures, we could easily see a spike in cases.”
The federal government announced Monday that 249,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine will be distributed across Canada in December.
Vaccinations will begin next week after it is sent out to 14 sites across Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at a news conference in Ottawa. The locations weren't specified but officials said the vaccine could only be sent to urban locations that have the freezers needed to store the Pfizer vaccine, which must be kept at -80 C.
At a recent news conference, Strang said the province has one freezer at the QEII Health Sciences Centre and more will hopefully be arriving soon. Federal officials said the vaccine will be apportioned to provinces and territories based on its share of the national population, known as per capita.
Since Nova Scotia has about 2.6 per cent of Canada's population, that would mean we'd eventually get about 6,400 of the 249,000 doses announced Monday.
The premier and Strang will hold a news conference today at 3 p.m., which will presumably address questions around the vaccine announcement.
In an email late Monday afternoon, a health department spokeswoman said Nova Scotia will get an initial test run of 1,950 doses next week. But vaccination planning remains in the early stages and Nova Scotians must be patient, said Marla MacInnis.
"Nova Scotia will be participating in a dry-run exercise this week in partnership with the manufacturer, the federal government, our health system partners and Dalhousie University," MacInnis said.
"This exercise will test shipping, delivery, tracking and storage but not include actual vaccine."
ASYMPTOMATIC TESTING EXPANDED
Also Monday, the health department announced that Nova Scotians with no COVID-19 symptoms now can book appointments for testing. It is mainly recommended for people who have a lot of close social interaction through gatherings or many social contacts, the department said in a news release.
Asymptomatic testing is available for people who do not have symptoms, have not travelled outside the Atlantic provinces within the past 14 days, have not visited a potential exposure location, and have not been in contact with someone who has tested positive.
Pop-up sites will continue in different locations around the province. Because they use rapid tests, the age limit is 16 and over at these sites.
"This is an opportunity for Nova Scotians to help keep each other safe, especially as we approach the holiday season," Strang said in the release. "By getting tested, you can help us limit the potential spread of the virus by detecting positive cases in people who do not have symptoms."
POST-SECONDARY SUPPORT
Also Monday, Nova Scotia announced that roughly 13,000 post-secondary students will receive a one-time $750 grant to help cover shortfalls in earnings and unexpected costs associated with their studies.
The grant will be sent to all students who receive assistance from the province. They do not have to apply.