Health officials in Nova Scotia are reporting four new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, with the total number of active cases in the province remaining at 22.
Four of the province’s previously reported cases are now considered resolved.
One of the new cases is in the Central Zone and is related to travel outside Atlantic Canada. This individual is self-isolating, as required.
One of the new cases is in the Northern Zone and is a close contact to a previously reported case.
Two of Friday’s cases are in the Western Zone and are related to travel outside Atlantic Canada. One of the cases in this zone is a student at Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S. The student had completed their 14-day self-isolation upon returning to the province and tested positive shortly after finishing the two weeks. They are now self-isolating again, as required.
“We are still in the middle of a severe second wave of COVID-19 with other provinces and countries facing high case numbers, including our neighbours in New Brunswick,” said Premier McNeil. “That’s why we are continuing our cautious approach in easing restrictions as we focus on protecting Nova Scotians from the virus.”
TWO VARIANT CASES OF COVID-19 IDENTIFIED IN N.S.
Nova Scotia Health Authority’s labs confirmed on Friday that the National Microbiology Lab identified two variant cases of COVID-19 that were tested in Nova Scotia in December. The variant cases are those seen in the United Kingdom and South Africa.
Both of the cases were related to travel outside of Canada and were reported in the Central Zone.
N.S. EASES SOME RESTRICTIONS
On Friday, the province announced they will be easing some of their public health restrictions.
Beginning Monday, sports teams will be able to play games with limited travel and no spectators.
Non-sports teams, along with arts and theatre performances, are also allowed to start taking place, but without an audience.
“We are also allowing residents from adult service centres and regional rehabilitation centres to go out into the community and start volunteering and working again,” said Premier Stephen MacNeil. “We are lifting only these restrictions because it is important for the mental and physical health of all those involved.”
COVID-19 CASE DATA
The Nova Scotia Health Authority’s labs completed 1,450 tests on Thursday.
Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 149,042 tests. There have been 481 positive COVID-19 cases and no deaths. Cases have ranged in age from under 10 to over 70. Four hundred and fifty-nine cases are now resolved.
Since the pandemic began, Nova Scotia has completed 272,213 tests. Cumulatively, there have been 1,570 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 1,483 cases considered recovered.
The province has reported 65 COVID-19 related deaths since the pandemic began, with an average age of 80-years-old.
There is currently no one in hospital due to COVID-19.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the province’s confirmed cases range in age from under 10 to over 90.
Fifty-five per cent of cases are female, and 45 per cent are male.
There are cases confirmed across the province, but most have been identified in the Central Zone, which contains the Halifax Regional Municipality.
The provincial government says cumulative cases by zone may change as data is updated in Panorama, the province’s electronic information system.
The numbers reflect where a person lives and not where their sample was collected.
Western Zone: 92 cases (2 active cases)
Central Zone: 1275 cases (10 active cases)
Northern Zone: 127 cases (6 active cases)
Eastern Zone: 76 cases (4 active cases)
