Active cases on the decline

HALIFAX — There are six new COVID-19 cases in Nova Scotia but the number of active cases continues to decline.

All of the new cases are in the central health zone (Halifax/West Hants/Eastern Shore). Four of the cases are close contacts of previously reported cases, one is related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada and one case is under investigation, the health department said in a news release Wednesday.

The number of active cases stands at 71, a drop of seven compared to Tuesday.

"While the majority of our recent cases are in the central zone, we know this virus can easily find its way into other communities," said Premier Stephen McNeil in the release.

"It is up to all of us to remain vigilant and continue to follow all the public health measures and restrictions, including limiting social contacts and travel."

Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health, said he was "pleased" to report the number of cases linked to social gatherings has gone down significantly.

"This is an indication that restrictions are working. We need to continue to follow all the public health measures to ensure that this trend continues as we work to flatten the curve."

Nova Scotia Health Authority's labs completed 1,954 Nova Scotia tests on Tuesday.

Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia

has completed 79,869 tests. There have been 300 positive COVID-19 cases, 229 cases have been resolved and there have been no deaths.

Also Wednesday, Health Canada announced it's approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine that will be used in the first immunizations in Nova Scotia.

In a review released Tuesday, Pfizer said the vaccine was effective in 95 per cent of trial subjects when somebody gets a second shot 21 days after the first. The efficacy goes down to 52 per cent with only one shot.

Nova Scotia will be going with a two-shot regimen beginning next week with health providers who work in COVID-19-care settings in the central health zone, the province announced Tuesday.

The province will receive 1,950 doses of the Pfizer vaccine on Dec. 15.

People who work in intensive care units and emergency rooms, COVID-19 hospital units and long-term care staff at COVID-19 treatment units will get those shots.

A military logistics team is helping public health officials this week with a "dry run" for the vaccination rollout.