Five new cases reported at Dartmouth private school

There were 13 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Nova Scotia on Friday and Saturday, bringing the total of known active cases in the province to 27.

On Saturday, two cases were reported: one in the central zone linked to travel outside of Atlantic Canada and one in the northern zone that is under investigation.

Eleven cases were reported on New Year's Day, with 10 being in the central zone and one in the northern zone. Eight of the central zone cases are close contacts of previously reported cases and two are linked to travel outside Atlantic Canada. The northern zone case from Friday is also linked to travel outside Atlantic Canada.

Five of Friday's cases are linked to Dartmouth private school Churchill Academy, Nova Scotia's Health Department said in a news release Saturday. There were two other recent cases at the school, bringing its total to seven. Public health has been in touch with the school community and is arranging testing for all staff and students. Classes ended Dec. 18 and are scheduled to resume Jan. 11.

“The first few days of 2021 show that we can't let our guard down when it comes to COVID-19,” said Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health, in Saturday's announcement.

“Follow the public health measures diligently, monitor your health closely and stay home if you feel ill, follow the gathering limit and get a test at a pop-up site or at a public assessment centre.”

Premier Stephen Mcneil said public health will provide support for the school as needed.

The province was to take a pause from releasing data updates from Jan. 1-3 "except in unusual circumstances," but released Friday's and Saturday's numbers on Saturday. Nova Scotia did not provide an update to its COVID-19 numbers on Sunday.

The total number of positive COVID-19 cases since Oct. 1 is now 410, with no deaths and one person in hospital. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 70, with 382 cases now resolved.

Starting on Monday, restaurants and licensed establishments in Halifax Regional Municipality and Hants County can reopen for dine-in service, with adherence to the provincewide restrictions in place, including ending service by 10 p.m. and closing by 11 p.m. They can continue takeout and delivery service with no restrictions.

Meanwhile, the Halifax casino and VLTS remain closed.