Ten new cases reported Sunday
Nova Scotia reported 10 new cases of COVID-19 and 125 active cases in its daily update Sunday.
All the new cases were in the central zone, the provincial Health Department said.
“By following the new restrictions in the greater Halifax area, we are working together to contain the spread of the virus,” Premier Stephen Mcneil said in a news release.
“And wherever you live in the province, we all have a role to play, by limiting nonessential travel and following all the protocols — limit social contacts, practise social distancing, wear a mask and wash your hands. This is how we will flatten the curve.”
Later Sunday, the province announced a second case of COVID-19 had just been identified at Northeast Kings Education Centre in Canning, which is in the western zone.
The school has been closed since its first case was announced Nov. 24.
“The public health investigation in the coming days will determine whether this case was a close contact of the first confirmed case,” the province said in a news release. “Given the school has been closed, this case is not believed to have been in school while infectious.
“To allow for completion of contact tracing and testing, and out of an abundance of caution, Northeast Kings Education Centre will remain closed for the week and students will be supported to learn at home.”
The release said public health will be in touch with any close contacts of this case to advise them of the next steps. Everyone who is a close contact will be notified, tested and asked to self-isolate for 14 days.
The Nova Scotia Health Authority's labs completed 2,254 Nova Scotia tests Saturday.
There were 540 tests administered at a rapid-testing pop-up site in Dartmouth on Saturday and one positive result. The individual was directed to self-isolate and has been referred for a standard test.
“No matter where you live in Nova Scotia, it is important to follow all public health measures,” said Dr. Robert Strang, the province's chief medical officer of health.
“While the majority of the cases are in the central zone, COVID-19 can easily find its way into other parts of the province. We must all remain vigilant and continue working to limit spread within, and beyond, Halifax.”
On Saturday, the Nova Scotia government reported 14 new cases — 12 in the central zone, one in the western zone and one in the northern zone.
Also Saturday, public health advised of potential exposures to COVID-19 at five locations in the province:
• Bar Kismet (2733 Agricola St., Halifax), Nov. 17 between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Anyone exposed to the virus at this location on this date may develop symptoms until Dec. 1.
• Boston Pizza (68 Robie St., Truro), Nov. 17 between 1 and 3:30 p.m. Anyone exposed to the virus at this location on this date may develop symptoms until Dec. 1.
• Fit4less Sackville (776 Sackville Dr., Lower Sackville), Nov. 22 between 9:30 and 11:45 a.m., Nov. 23 between 5 and 7:30 p.m., Nov. 24 between 5 and 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 25 between 3:30 and 6 p.m. Anyone exposed to the virus at this location on these dates may develop symptoms until Dec. 9.
• Hermitage Restaurant (1460 Lower Water St., Halifax), Nov. 17 between 3 and
10 p.m. Anyone exposed to the virus at this location on this date may develop symptoms until Dec. 2.
• Governor's Pub and Eatery (233 Esplanade, Sydney), Nov. 17 between 8 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. Anyone exposed to the virus at this location on this date could develop symptoms until Dec. 1.
Anyone who was at these locations at these times is asked to book an appointment at a COVID-19 assessment centre online. People are reminded to not go to an assessment centre before making an appointment.
Rules concerning interprovincial travel within Atlantic Canada changed last week. The premiers of all four Atlantic provinces are cautioning against non-essential travel into neighbouring provinces.
All non-essential travel into P.E.I., New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador requires a 14-day selfisolation. 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.
New Brunswick reported 14 new cases Sunday and now has 119 active cases, while Newfoundland and Labrador reported four new cases and has 36 cases overall. P.E.I. had no new cases to report Sunday and has four active cases.