Thirteen new cases reported over holiday break

Only 13 new cases of COVID-19 were identified over the past four days in Nova Scotia.

The cases occurred between Dec. 25 and Dec. 28 when public health took a break from daily reporting.

On Dec. 27, all three of the cases reported were in the central zone and linked to close contacts or travel outside Atlantic Canada.

On Monday only one new case was reported, in the central zone and a close contact of a previous case.

There are now 33 active cases in the province.

"I hope everyone has been celebrating the last few days safely and in small groups," Premier Stephen Mcneil said in a release.

"We are still seeing low case numbers, and I want to thank all of you for your sacrifice, but we need to keep up the good work to contain the virus. Though the holidays are usually a time of large gatherings, remember to protect each other by following all of the public health protocols."

Public health guidance for holidays and celebrations can be found at novascotia.ca/ protect-yourself-and-othersfrom-coronavirus/holidays/.

Nova Scotia Health Authority's labs completed 1,156 Nova Scotia tests on Dec. 24, 1,690 tests on Dec. 25 and 26, and 1,259 tests on Dec. 27.

Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 108,382 tests with 389 positive cases and no deaths. No one is in hospital.

"I want to thank people who followed the public health guidance over Christmas. We need to keep it going this week as we head to the New Year," chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang said in the release.

"Do your part by wearing a mask, limiting social contacts, practising social distancing, adhering to the gathering limit, staying home when feeling unwell and washing your hands frequently."

EXPOSURE WARNINGS

Nova Scotia Health public health issued an advisory Monday afternoon about potential exposure to COVID19 on a Westjet flight on Dec. 26.

Flight 248 left Toronto at 9 a.m. and arrived in Halifax at 12:30 p.m. Passengers in rows 1-4, seats A, B, D, and F are asked to continue to selfisolate and monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID19. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus on this flight on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, Jan. 9.

Anyone who was on the following flight in the specified rows is asked to continue to self-isolate and immediately visit covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en to book a COVID-19 test, even if they don't have symptoms. You can also call 811 if you don't have online access or if you have other symptoms that concern you.

All other passengers should continue to self-isolate as required and monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

Public health issued a correction Sunday evening regarding a potential COVID19 exposure on another Westjet flight.

Flight 228 left Fort Mcmurray, Alta., at 3:40 p.m. on Dec. 22 and arrived in Halifax at 11:09 p.m. Passengers in rows 1-5 are asked to continue to selfisolate and immediately visit covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en to book a COVID19 test even if they don't have symptoms. All other passengers on this flight should continue to self-isolate as required and monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus on this flight on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, Jan. 5.

Anyone without online access or who have other symptoms of concern can call 811.

IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS

Those with symptoms of COVID-19 are required to self-isolate while waiting for test results. If you do not have any symptoms of COVID-19 you do not need to self-isolate while waiting for a test result.

Nova Scotians are advised to visit covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en to do a selfassessment if they have had or are experiencing fever or cough (new or worsening) or two or more of the following symptoms (new or worsening):

• sore throat

• runny nose

• headache

• shortness of breath

Do not go directly to a COVID-19 assessment centre without being directed to do so and do not go to a pop-up rapid testing location.

Anyone travelling to Nova Scotia from outside of the Atlantic Provinces is expected to self-isolate alone for 14 days after arriving. If a person travelling for non-essential reasons enters Nova Scotia from outside Atlantic Canada, then everyone in the home where they are self-isolating will have to self-isolate as well.

All Nova Scotians are advised to continue monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms and are urged to follow Public Health guidelines on how to access care. Up to date information about COVID-19 is available at novascotia.ca/ coronavirus.