New cases jump by 31 over weekend

Public health says most are travel-related or close contacts of previously reported cases

Following the weekend, Nova Scotia public health reported on Monday there were 31 new cases of COVID19 in the province, and 18 recoveries.

Since the last report on Friday, the total of active cases stands at 71 and there is no one in hospital with the virus. It is the highest number of new cases since late May, when 33 were reported on May 29, however, this latest number is collected from over the past three days.

Twenty six of the new cases are in the central zone, 14 are related to travel and eight are close contacts of previously reported cases. Four are currently under investigation.

Two cases were reported in the western zone — one is a close contact, while the other is under investigation — while the northern zone has three new cases, one travelrelated and two which are close contacts of a previously reported case.

“We expected to see an increase in case numbers in Nova Scotia as we've been seeing in other provinces,” said Dr. Shelley Deeks, Nova Scotia's deputy chief medical officer of health, in Monday's announcement.

“It's important to understand most of these cases are related to travel and they are strictly adhering to the public health measures.

“We need to continue to keep each other safe by ensuring everyone 12 years of age and over is vaccinated with two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, getting tested if you have symptoms and continuing to follow public health measures.”

Over the past few days, there were a number of COVID-19 potential exposure warnings issued by health authorities for Air Canada and Westjet flights, retail outlets and restaurants/ drinking establishments. The province maintains an updated list of the latest potential exposure sites, including flights and transit routes, at www.nshealth.ca/coronavirus-exposures.

Nova Scotia Health Authority's labs completed 2,953 tests on Friday, 2,378 tests on Saturday and 1,832 tests on Sunday.

As of Sunday, 1,443,183 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 687,683 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.

Since April 1, there have been 4,288 positive COVID19 cases and 28 deaths. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. There are 4,189 resolved cases. Cumulative cases may change as data is updated in Panorama.

TESTING INFO

Nova Scotians can book a test, whether they have or do not have symptoms, at covidself-assessment.novascotia. ca/en for primary assessment centres across the province. Those with no symptoms are encouraged to use one of the primary assessment centres with drop-in testing, pop-up sites, or public health mobile units if they want to be tested.

Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms is advised to selfisolate and book a COVID19 test. Anyone advised by public health that they were a close contact needs to complete a full 14-day quarantine, regardless of test results, unless they are fully vaccinated. If they are fully vaccinated at least 14 days before the exposure date, they do not need to self-isolate as long as they are not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. They should still get tested and should monitor for symptoms up to 14 days after the exposure date.

If symptoms develop, they should get tested and selfisolate until they receive a negative test result.

Individuals should do a self-assessment if they have experienced the following symptoms in the past 48 hours:

• fever (i.e. chills/sweats) or cough (new or worsening); • sore throat;

• runny nose/nasal congestion;

• headache;

• shortness of breath/difficulty breathing.

People should call 811 if they cannot access the online self-assessment or wish to speak with a nurse about their symptoms.

Anyone with symptoms should immediately self-isolate and book a test.

TIM KROCHAK • THE CHRONICLE HERALD A sample from a patient swab is dropped on a test strip at a rapid testing site at Central Spryfield School in Halifax in May.