Nova Scotia reported one new COVID-19 case on Monday.
As with other recent cases, it's in the central health zone and related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada.
The number of active cases is unchanged at eight: Six are in the central zone and there are single cases in the western and eastern zones.
“Because of Nova Scotians’ hard work and sacrifice to keep the virus contained, today we are able to ease some restrictions,” said Premier Stephen McNeil in a news release Monday.
“I ask everyone to respect the new rules and continue following all of the public health practices that have got us to where we are today.”
The province announced Friday that gathering limit maximums would be increased and business occupancy restrictions would be eased.
Nova Scotia Health Authority's labs completed 953 Nova Scotia tests on Feb. 7.
One New Case of COVID-19 https://t.co/RYbM0E7Wv8 pic.twitter.com/MqYs5s9fET
— Nova Scotia Gov. (@nsgov) February 8, 2021
One person in hospital
Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 170,937 tests. There have been 497 positive COVID-19 cases and no deaths. One person is in hospital, in ICU. The cases range in age from under 10 to over 70. Four hundred and eighty-nine cases are now resolved
As of Feb. 7, 18,219 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 5,134 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.
“Just because we are easing restrictions does not mean we can start to be complacent,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health.
“We know how easily the virus can spread, so we must continue to follow all of the public health measures – wear a mask, limit social contacts, practise social distancing, adhere to the gathering limit, stay home if you feel unwell and wash your hands.”
The premier and Strang will hold a news conference Tuesday at 3 p.m.
Potential exposure
Nova Scotia Health Public Health issued an advisory Monday evening about a potential exposure to COVID-19 on an Air Canada flight from Toronto to Halifax.
Anyone who was on the following flight in the specified rows and seats should visit https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en to book a COVID-19 test, regardless of whether or not they have COVID-19 symptoms. You can also call 811 if you don’t have online access or if you have other symptoms that concern you.
- Air Canada flight 614 travelling on Feb. 3 from Toronto (2:45 p.m.) to Halifax (5:24 p.m.). Passengers in rows 27-33 seats A, B, C and D should immediately book a COVID-19 test. All other passengers on this flight should continue to self-isolate as required and monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Watch for symptoms up to and including Feb. 17.
All potential exposure notifications are listed at http://www.nshealth.ca/covid-exposures.
Testing encouraged
Provincial health authorities strongly encourage Nova Scotians to seek asymptomatic COVID-19 testing; particularly if they have had several social interactions, even within their own social circles. Appointments can be booked at covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca, by choosing the asymptomatic option.
Rapid testing pop-up sites continue to be set up around the province as well:
- Monday, Feb. 8 - Cole Harbour Place, 51 Forest Hills Pkwy., Dartmouth (DIRECTIONS) from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. *Please use entrance at the rear of the building
- Tuesday Feb. 9 - St. Margaret's Centre, 12 Westwood Blvd., Upper Tantallon (DIRECTIONS) from noon to 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday Feb. 10 - St. Margaret's Centre, 12 Westwood Blvd., Upper Tantallon (DIRECTIONS) from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m
More information on testing can be found at www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting.
Visit covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca to do a self-assessment if in the past 48 hours you have had or you are currently experiencing:
- fever (i.e. chills/sweats) or cough (new or worsening)
Or two or more of the following symptoms (new or worsening):
- sore throat
- runny nose/nasal congestion
- headache
- shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
Call 811 if you cannot access the online self-assessment or wish to speak with a nurse about your symptoms.
Nova Scotians can find accurate, up-to-date information, handwashing posters and fact sheets at novascotia.ca/coronavirus.
Businesses and other organizations can find information to help them safely reopen and operate at novascotia.ca/reopening-nova-scotia.
