More vaccine storage sites planned
HALIFAX — Nova Scotians outside the central health zone are one step closer to getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
In a news release Monday, the Department of Health and Wellness announced it was setting up vaccine storage sites in four areas across the province: Cape Breton Regional Hospital; Colchester East Hants Health Centre; Valley Regional Hospital; and Yarmouth Regional Hospital.
The storage sites are required to keep the vaccine at the appropriate temperature specified by the manufacturer. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, the only one approved by Health Canada so far, must be stored between -80 C and -60 C.
Currently, the PfizerBioNTech vaccine is stored at Dalhousie University and a vaccination clinic has been set up on campus for front-line health-care workers and longterm care staff in the central zone. The strict storage and handling guidelines for the vaccine means that vaccination clinics can only be set up where ultra-low temperature freezers are available.
Strang said the province acquired large freezers for storage and small ones for transportation. He added that the province got one of the freezers from the federal government.
The Cape Breton Regional Hospital and Valley Regional Hospital, which is located in Kentville, will get the storage sites during the week of Jan. 4, with each site will receiving 1,950 vaccine doses.
Strang said he's not sure when the other two storage sites will be ready. Details of the immunization clinics are also still being worked out.
So far, 1463 people in Nova Scotia have received their first shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
"We're expecting our first shipment of the Moderna vaccine soon. As soon as Health Canada approves it," said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health, at Monday's live COVID-19 update.
Strang said vaccination is moving ahead of schedule, with all eligible acute healthcare workers in the central zone having had received their first dose.
As vaccination moves to the general public later next year, Strang said the province will be prioritizing people based on age, health condition, and "vulnerability in communities based on socioeconomic factors."
An 11-member vaccine expert panel with representation from the Department of Health and Wellness, Nova Scotia Health Authority, IWK Health Centre and the Canadian Center for Vaccinology has been established to monitor the use of vaccine in Nova Scotia. Strang said the panel won't be deciding who has the priority to get the vaccine.
Nova Scotia will receive another shipment of 3,900 doses of the Pfizer-BioNtech
COVID-19 vaccine this week.
TWO NEW CASES
Nova Scotia is reporting two more COVID-19 cases as the number of active cases in the province continues to decline.
One case is in the province's central health zone, and the other case is in the western zone. Both cases are related to previously reported cases. There are now 38 active cases in the province. It's been two weeks since the number of new cases reported in one day was over 10. Strang said he's grateful to Nova Scotians for following the public health protocols.
"Today's numbers and the trends we are seeing are a direct result of your hard work," he said.
On Friday, Eskasoni First Nation reported its first case of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. Premier Stephen McNeil said a popup testing site will be set up at Eskasoni First Nation today, Monday, and Tuesday for anyone who'd like to get tested.
CLARIFICATION ON RESTRICTIONS
Starting Monday, new restrictions came into place across Nova Scotia. They include the reopening of fitness facilities and resuming of faith-based activities in the Halifax Regional Municipality and Hants County. But restaurants, licensed establishments and the Halifax casino will remain closed until Jan. 10.
Across the province, retail stores and malls are only allowed to open at 25 per cent of their legal capacity as of Monday. The gathering limit is 10, including the people in a household.
"It doesn't matter how old or young or your relationship, the limit is 10," said Strang.
A close group of 10 can go out in public to attend faith gatherings or walk in a park without physical distancing. The group should be consistent.
Business meetings and training has a limit of 25 people with physical distancing and masks. Community events, such as suppers and parties, are not allowed.
While there are no specific instructions to avoid travel in and out of the Halifax Regional Municipality and Hants County, unnecessary travel continues to be discouraged during the holidays.
"If you do need to travel in the province, you need to go from point A to point B, without making unnecessary stops along the way," said Strang.
People in long-term care are allowed an additional designated care-giver and family visitors. It's up to individual long-term care facilities to decide how they'll apply the restrictions, said Strang.
People can find the complete list of restrictions at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/restrictionupdates/.
Nova Scotia Health Authority's labs completed 1,389 Nova Scotia tests on Dec. 20.
Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed close to 100,000 tests. There have been 358 positive COVID-19 cases and no deaths. No one is currently in hospital.