No new cases reported in N.S.

Nova Scotia reported no new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday for the first time in more than eight weeks.

“Seeing a low number of cases recently and now none today reflects the good work of Nova Scotians in following the public health protocols," Premier Stephen Mcneil said in a Nova Scotia Health Authority release.

"Monday is a big day in our province with students returning to school. We can all help protect our students, teachers, and staff by staying vigilant — wearing a mask, limiting social contacts, distancing, washing our hands and staying home if feeling unwell."

As of Sunday, the province has 28 active cases, according to the release.

One of the cases reported on Jan. 7 in the central zone is a resident of another province or territory and therefore has been removed from cumulative provincial data.

Health authority labs completed 1,343 Nova Scotia tests on Saturday.

Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 126,980 tests. There have been 439 positive COVID-19 cases and no deaths during that period.

No one is currently in hospital. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 70 and 411 cases are now deemed resolved.

Cumulative cases may change as data is updated in Panorama.

"It's been over eight weeks since we last reported no new cases of COVID19 in Nova Scotia," Dr. Robert Strang, the province's chief medical officer of health, said in the release.

"I'm pleased to see that we have no new cases today, but we are not out of the woods yet. If we want to continue this trend of little to no new cases, we must follow all the public health measures."

People who in the past 48 hours have experienced fever, cough or worsening cough or who have two or more symptoms of sore throat, runny nose, headache, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing are asked to visit covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/ for a self-assessment.

People who cannot access the online self-assessment or wish to speak with a nurse about their symptoms should call 811.

Post-secondary students returning to Nova Scotia from anywhere except Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador are strongly encouraged to visit covidself-assessment.novascotia.ca/ to book a COVID-19 test for Day 6, 7, or 8 of their 14-day self-isolation period. COVID-19 testing appointments can be booked up to three days in advance.

When a new case of COVID-19 is confirmed, the person is directed to self-isolate at home, away from the public, for 14 days. Public health works to identify and test people who may have come in close contact with that person.

Anyone who has travelled from anywhere except Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador must self-isolate for 14 days. As always, anyone who develops symptoms of acute respiratory illness should limit their contact with others until they feel better.

It remains important for Nova Scotians to strictly adhere to the public health order and directives of practising good hand-washing and other hygiene steps, and to maintain a physical distance when and where required.

Wearing a non-medical mask is mandatory in most indoor public places.

Nova Scotia reported three new cases Saturday, two in the central zone and the other related to travel outside Atlantic Canada.

That case is in the eastern zone and involves a student at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish who travelled outside Atlantic Canada. The student lives on campus and has been self-isolating.