22 more COVID-19 deaths reported, ICU cases up

The weekly COVID-19 death toll remained high last week compared to other times during the more than two years of the pandemic.

There was an average of more than three deaths a day connected to the virus in the seven days ending May 2, with 22 Nova Scotians dying. That’s down slightly from the weekly high of 24 that was recorded a week ago.

That brings the death toll to 336 since the start of the pandemic. Since Feb. 23, 148 people have died of the virus.

Another 77 people, or 11 per day, were hospitalized during the week. Coupled with discharges there are now 66 people in hospital as of May 2, up from 55 the week before

The number of people in intensive care increased from 10 to 17.

The number of positive PCR tests dropped to 3,415, or an average of 500 a day. That number does not include positive rapid tests taken at home.

The Department of Health and Wellness said in a release that the data points to a stabilization in long-term care cases and severe outcomes, but said the number of deaths and hospitalizations remains higher than in previous waves of the virus.

"It is encouraging to see the number of new Pcrconfirmed infections decline again this week and to see the peak of the sixth wave behind us,” Dr. Robert Strang, the province's chief medical officer of health, said in the release. "That said, our numbers are still high. COVID-19 is still with us, along with a number of other respiratory viruses, including influenza.”

He said that it's still important for people to wear masks, social distance, wash their hands and stay home if they are sick, whether it is COVID-19 or something else.

Since second booster doses began in April for adults 70 and older and residents of long-term and residential care facilities, more than 29,000 people have received a dose.

The risk of hospitalization is 10 times higher for those aged 70 years and older compared to those age 18 to 49 and the risk of death is 95 times higher for those aged 70 years and older compared to those younger than 50.

HEALTH-CARE ABSENCES DROP

In other COVID-19 news, Nova Scotia Health reported Thursday that 309 of its staff are off work related to the virus. That's down from 358 last week. The workers have either tested positive for COVID-19, are awaiting results of a test or have been exposed to a household member with COVID-19.

The health zone breakdown below adds up to a different total because some employees work in more than one zone:

■ Western Zone: 71

■ Central Zone: 159

■ Northern Zone: 25

■ Eastern Zone: 59

Staff absences at the IWK Health Centre are also down from last week with 70 off with COVID-19 and 45 isolating.