Nova Scotia reports 16 new COVID cases
HALIFAX — Nova Scotia reported 16 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, breaking a five-day streak of single-digit daily case counts.
Fifteen of the cases are in the central zone. Eleven of them are close contacts to previously reported cases and four are related to travel.
The close contacts are within a “linked group of families and do not represent wide community spread,” according to a news release.
The other case is in the eastern zone and is related to travel.
Three of the central zone cases were reported Thursday. Two of them are connected to Joseph Howe Elementary School, while the other is connected to St. Joseph’s-alexander Mckay Elementary.
There were also 15 recoveries reported Friday, bringing Nova Scotia’s active case count to 60. Of those cases, two people are in COVID-19 hospital units.
Currently, there is limited community spread in the central zone. Meanwhile, the eastern, northern and western zones continue to be monitored for community spread.
“Now is not the time to be complacent,” Premier Iain Rankin stated in the release. “Our strong adherence to public health protocols has helped us get our numbers down, but COVID-19 isn’t done yet. We need to still follow the public health measures, stay home if you feel unwell and wash your hands.”
Nova Scotia Health Authority’s labs completed 3,321 tests Thursday.
There were 8,909 tests administered between June 18 and Thursday at the rapid-testing pop-up sites in Halifax, Dartmouth, Sackville, Sydney, Shelburne, Chester and New Minas.
Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, acknowledged that Friday’s case count is “a bit higher than what we have seen lately,” but said the majority of the cases are close contacts of previously reported cases.
“This is an important reminder that while we are reopening and easing restrictions, it is important to keep your social circles small, get vaccinated as soon as you can and get tested often,” he added.
Since April 1, there have been 4,072 positive COVID19 cases and 26 deaths reported in the province. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. There are 3,986 resolved cases.
SECOND VACCINES
As of Thursday, 847,830 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Nova Scotia. Of those, 147,001 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.
Vaccine appointments for second doses are being bumped up.
Nova Scotians who received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine on or before May 20 and are scheduled to receive their second dose on or before Sept. 2 can now reschedule their appointments for earlier dates.
Those who provided an email address at the time of booking will receive a resheduling noticed by email “over the coming weeks.”
Anyone who did not provide an email or does not receive a notice can call the toll-free line at 1-833-7977772 to reschedule their second vaccine appointment or request that a rescheduling notice be issued to an email address.
People will be able to select a new date and time for their second dose at any clinic across the province that has an available appointment. They will also have the option of selecting a different vaccine for their second dose.
Drive-thru vaccine clinics in Dartmouth, Truro and Wolfville now accommodate up to four people in one vehicle. At the time of booking, people can schedule a maximum four people for one appointment time.
People looking to schedule a first dose COVID-19 vaccination appointment can do so online or by phone at 1-833797-7772.
Appointments cannot be booked directly through a community clinic, pharmacy or physician. Walk-ins will be turned away.