Jan. 3-4: 6 new cases reported

Nova Scotia has reported six new COVID-19 cases from the past two days.

Four new cases were recorded in the central health zone on Monday. One is related to travel outside Atlantic Canada, one person is a close contact of a previously reported case, and two cases are under investigation.

Two new cases were recorded Sunday, one in the western zone related to travel and one in the east that's under investigation.

There are now 27 active cases in the province, which is unchanged from the last report because there have been six additional resolved cases.

RESTAURANTS, BARS ALLOWED TO REOPEN

"I'm pleased that the recent low number of cases in the greater Halifax area means that restaurants can reopen today," Premier Stephen Mcneil said in a Health Department news release Monday.

Restaurants and bars in Halifax Regional Municipality and Hants County can now offer dine-in services. The businesses must follow the province-wide restrictions, including ending service by 10 p.m. and closing by 11 p.m. They can continue takeout and delivery service with no restrictions.

The Halifax casino and VLTS remain closed.

"I want to thank the hardworking entrepreneurs in this sector for their patience as we do our best to slow the spread of the virus," Mcneil said. "I remind all Nova Scotians that following all the public health protocols is the best way to protect each other and also help our economy."

Nova Scotia Health Authority's labs completed 969 Nova Scotia tests on Saturday and 1,077 on Sunday.

Since Oct. 1, there have been 416 positive COVID-19 cases and no deaths. One person is in hospital. The cases range in age from under 10 to over 70. Three hundred and eighty-nine cases are now resolved.

"I'm encouraged by the numbers we are seeing, but we still haven't seen the full impact of the holidays," said Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health, in the release.

"The way we can keep COVID-19 under control is by remaining cautious and following all the public health measures. Living safely with COVID-19 needs to remain our focus in 2021."

DARTMOUTH SCHOOL OUTBREAK

Five new cases reported on the weekend were at Churchill Academy, a private school in Dartmouth.

Previously, there were two COVID-19 cases reported at the school, a not-for-profit institution that specializes in teaching students with learning disabilities.

Pat Doherty, Churchill's head of school, declined an interview request Monday.

"We are working closely with Public Health since the COVID cases have been identified," Doherty said in an email. "We have reached out to all families and staff to provide support and information, under the guidance and direction of Public Health.

"Churchill Academy has implemented COVID safety measures since the beginning of the school year that align with the provincial Back to School plan and Public Health directives. An additional deep clean will be conducted before students return to class. The safety and well being of our students and staff continue to be our main priority."

Churchill Academy will reopen Jan. 11, when public schools also are scheduled to reopen.

In the news release Monday, the Nova Scotia Health Department emphasized that none of the new cases reported Sunday and Monday were related to the school outbreak. Public health has arranged testing for all Churchill staff and students.

17 NEW CASES IN N.B.

In Atlantic Canadian COVID19 news, New Brunswick reported 17 new cases on Monday, bringing their active caseload to 55. Most of the active cases are in the Moncton and Fredericton areas.

Prince Edward Island reported two new cases on Dec. 29, when there were six active cases.

PC LEADER BLASTS VACATIONERS

Also Monday, Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston issued a statement blasting politicians who have travelled outside Canada for vacation in contravention of public health advice.

Politicians in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec have admitted travelling to places like Hawaii and Mexico during the Christ

mas break. (On Monday afternoon, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announced on Facebook that government MLAS and staffers who did so would lose their posts).

Houston said he'd boot from caucus any Tory MLA who travelled abroad for vacation.

"Elected officials should not only set an example, but should work hard to raise the standard. And no leader should look the other way and allow a handful of ignorant, entitled politicians to act above the rules that every Canadian has been asked to respect."