The Chronicle Herald (Provincial)
Nova Scotia reports two new cases
Nova Scotia's COVID-19 vaccination program is ongoing, with 7,600 doses given to date.
On Monday, the first longterm care vaccination clinic was set up in Northwood's Halifax and Bedford locations. In addition to Northwood, immunization is underway at Shannex's Parkstone Enhanced Care and Ocean View locations.
At a briefing Friday, Premier Stephen Mcneil said residents, designated caregivers, and health-care workers at two more long-term care homes will start receiving the Moderna vaccine next week. The homes, which are located in Cape Breton, are Shannex's Harbourstone Enhanced Care and Northside Community Guest Home.
Starting next week, vaccination numbers will be reported twice a week, said Mcneil.
Dr. Robert Strang, the province's chief medical officer of health, said volunteer staff worked long hours on Thursday to ensure all eligible Northwood Halifax staff and designated caregivers completed their first dose of the vaccine.
This week also marked the first vaccination clinic for health-care workers in Cape Breton and the Annapolis Valley. Strang said another clinic will be open next week at the Colchester East Hants Health Centre in Truro.
So far, 2,200 front-line health-care workers have received two shots.
Four additional coldstorage sites will be set up in Yarmouth, Bridgewater, Antigonish, and Amherst. Vaccination in these areas is expected to start in February.
Nova Scotia received slightly over 13,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines up until yesterday.
“All of that has either gone into people's arms, mostly for first dose, some for a second dose. And all the rest are being held back and is scheduled to go into somebody's arm for a second dose,” said Strang.
On Thursday, the province received 10,000 additional doses.
Due to the strict temperature requirements for vaccine storage, the packages will be opened, repackaged, and shipped to the cold storage locations across the province. Strang said the process takes time.
“That 10,000 doses of vaccine will start to go into people's arms on Monday and will be used by the end of the week,” said Strang.
“It's an ongoing balancing act to ensure what we receive goes out to clinics in a timely way.”
He added that it's the province's goal to ensure vaccines are distributed to the clinics in an equitable manner to prevent any waste or shortages.
Mcneil said Moderna vaccines are expected to arrive every three weeks, while Pfizer-biontech vaccines are expected to arrive weekly. The province will continue to hold back half of the vaccine supply for second doses.
“We'll continue to do this until we're guaranteed there will be no interruption in supply,” he said. “And right now, we don't have that guarantee.”
The province is reporting two new cases on Friday. One case is in the northern health zone and the other case is in the central health zone. Both cases are close contacts of previously reported cases.
There are 32 known active cases in Nova Scotia as of Friday. No one is in hospital in relation to the disease.
“We're officially two-weeks out from New Years and our epidemiology is looking good, but we can not celebrate yet. COVID is still here. It's all around us,” said Strang.
He said some of the positive cases reported recently have been “deliberately not following public health regulations.” They also haven't been honest with Public Health about their whereabouts and who they've been in contact with.
“This lack of information has delayed investigation and is leaving more time for the virus to spread in the communities,” said Strang. “These individuals are putting other people's lives unnecessarily at risk.”
Strang added that people should continue following all public health regulations, such as handwashing, wearing a mask, physical distancing, and keeping social gatherings to a consistent group of 10.
“We are in a very precarious situation,” said Strang. “We're one of the safest places in the country, if not globally but we can only stay here if we continue to stay committed.”
Nova Scotia Health Authority's labs completed 2,010 Nova Scotia tests on Thursday.
There were 808 tests administered between Jan. 8 and 14 at the rapid-testing pop-up sites in Halifax, Sackville and Yarmouth.
Mandatory testing for rotational workers who work outside of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador begins Friday.
Nova Scotia continues to encourage post-secondary students from outside Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador to get tested half-way through their 14-day quarantine period.
Strang said out of 3,500 students who arrived in the province, over half of them have been tested. Nine positive cases have been identified through these tests. All the cases had been self-isolating as required.
In response to the recent exposure notices in Truro, Strang is also encouraging anyone who lives in the area and would like to get tested to visit covid-self-assessment. novascotia.ca and book a test whether they have symptoms, or not. Symptomatic and asymptomatic testing is available at all primary assessment centres.
Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 137,534 tests. There have been 461 positive COVID-19 cases and no deaths.