Health officials watch for COVID-19 variant

Nova Scotia is reporting two new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, bringing the total number of active cases to 30.

One case is in the central health zone and is linked to a close contact. The other case is in the northern health zone and is related to travel outside Atlantic Canada. One person is currently in hospital in relation to the virus.

There have been 33 cases since last Monday Dec. 21, 18 of which are close contacts of previously reported cases. Ten cases are travel-related and five are under investigation.

At a news briefing Tuesday, Premier Stephen Mcneil thanked Nova Scotians for complying with the COVID-19 restrictions over the holidays.

"It's not been easy, but for the most part, many people found a way to celebrate safely," said Mcneil.

"Our case numbers are low and we want to keep them that way, but we can only do that with your hard work."

At the briefing, Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health, said a couple of recent cases involved people who kept going out for work or other purposes even though they had symptoms. He added that it was important for people to stay at home if they're feeling unwell.

"Even if you think it's just a cold, it's important that you do this," said Strang. "Far better to be safe than sorry."

Employers should also support employees if they need to stay home and self-isolate, he added.

NO EVIDENCE OF VARIANT YET

Over the past few days, public health officials in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta confirmed cases of the new COVID-19 variant first reported in the United Kingdom.

"We do not have evidence of (the new variant) yet in Nova Scotia, but we are watching carefully for it," said Strang.

Public Health is examining the travel history of all COVID-19 cases and flagging those who travelled outside Canada. Samples from these patients are sent to the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg to perform genetic sequencing and identify the variant. Strang said he "wouldn't be surprised" if the variant is detected in Nova Scotia in the future.

The ban on flights from the U.K. to Canada continues until Jan. 6. All travellers to Nova Scotia from outside the Atlantic provinces must complete a 14-day self-isolation. Strang said he's IN discussions with colleagues across the country to find ways to ensure travellers complete their isolation period.

"All of this to me shows how important the quarantine period is and that it cannot be replaced by testing," said Strang.

VACCINATION TO CONTINUE

Since COVID-19 vaccine clinics started about two weeks ago, 2,290 health-care workers have received the Pfizer-biontech vaccine at the Halifax clinic.

Strang said the province is expecting the first shipment of the Moderna vaccine, which Health Canada approved last Wednesday, to arrive this week. The province has weekly shipments of vaccines "confirmed through January."

While COVID-19 vaccine clinics have been paused over the past few days, Strang said they have resumed and will continue to offer the vaccine to health-care workers who work in direct contact with COVID19 patients.

In early January, vaccine clinics will start at four locations across Nova Scotia where the province set up ultra-low temperature freezers last week. More details about the province's immunization plans will be available next week.

KEEPING THE HOLIDAYS SAFE

With the holiday season still underway, Strang said people should continue to avoid unnecessary travel and keep gatherings to a consistent group of 10 people or less to ensure our numbers stay low.

"The week that we're in now of the holiday season is critical for us," said Strang.

He added that rotating between multiple groups of 10 in an evening to get around the gathering restrictions is unacceptable. People lining up outside retail stores should keep a distance of two-metres from people outside their consistent social group.

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

On Monday, Nova Scotia Health Authority's labs completed 1,370 Nova Scotia tests.

Testing continues to be available during the holidays. People can book a test at https://covidself-assessment.novascotia.ca/, whether they have symptoms or not. Pop-up rapid-testing sites are also set up at the Halifax Central Library from 1 p.m. till 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Nova Scotia has reported 391 cases, 109,752 COVID-19 tests, and no Covid-19-related deaths since the beginning of the second wave in the province on Oct. 1.