Nova Scotia Health Authority says there are no new cases of COVID-19 to report on Saturday. The current number of active cases in the province stands at 20.
The positive report comes the day after health authorities announced a modest easing of restrictions which come into effect on Monday. Competitive sports events can take place, but without spectators, and most arts and cultural events remain restricted to online presentations.
The number of people permitted to take part in sports practices and training, and arts and culture rehearsals, was increased from 25 to 50. Also, in response to the challenges presented by the pandemic, mental health and addictions support groups can now meet in groups of up to 25 instead of 10, with social distancing.
“Nova Scotians can be proud of the work they're doing to keep our case numbers low,” said Premier Stephen McNeil in Saturday’s announcement.
“We need to stay the course — following public health protocols and being kind to each other — to keep the virus from spreading like we've seen in other provinces during the second wave of the pandemic.”
Nova Scotia Health Authority’s labs completed 1,438 Nova Scotia tests on Friday. Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 150,480 tests. There have been 481 positive COVID-19 cases and no deaths.
No one is currently in hospital due to COVID-19. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 70. Four hundred and sixty-one cases are now resolved.
“While our new cases each day are staying low, we can't get complacent,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer. “Please continue your vigilance and follow public health measures to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community.”
On Friday, the province announced that two COVID-19 cases reported in Nova Scotia in December were linked to the United Kingdom and South African variants of the virus, after testing at the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg.
The two cases were identified in the central health zone, and were associated with travel outside Canada. On Friday, Strang said there was no evidence of community spread related to the cases.