Fifteen new COVID cases

Three cases in eastern zone

HALIFAX — Nova Scotia reported 15 new cases of COVID-19 and 31 recoveries on Thursday.

There are 12 new cases in central zone. Seven of the cases are close contacts of previously reported cases. Three are related to travel and two are under investigation.

Three new cases are in eastern zone. Two of the cases are close contacts of previously reported cases and one is related to travel.

There is limited community spread in central zone. Eastern, northern and western zones continue to be closely monitored for community spread.

As of Thursday, Nova Scotia had 147 active cases of COVID-19. Of those, 10 people are in hospital, including six in ICU. The median age of people hospitalized in the third wave is 53 for non-ICU and 55 for people in ICU.

On Wednesday, Nova Scotia Health Authority's labs completed 4,761 tests.

“As more and more Nova Scotians get vaccinated, I want to remind people of the continued importance of getting tested for COVID-19,” said Premier Iain Rankin. “Testing is a key part of our reopening plan. If people continue to get tested, the health system can identify new cases of COVID19 early on and limit the spread of the virus.”

Nova Scotia is also reporting one additional case of COVID19 Thursday, connected to Citadel High School in Halifax. Because the case came in after the cut-off for reporting, it will not appear on the COVID-19 data dashboard until today.

Because of a previously reported case, the school is closed to students until Monday to allow for testing of close contacts. Students will continue to learn from home. Families and students will receive an update before Monday.

Public health will be in touch with any close contacts of positive cases and advise of next steps, including testing. Everyone who is a close contact will be notified, tested and asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

Out of an abundance of caution, public health is recommending that all students and staff be tested for COVID-19, whether or not they have symptoms. No self-isolation is required while they wait for test results, unless they have been identified as a close contact by public health or have symptoms.

As of Wednesday, 663,840 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 46,630 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.