There were no new COVID-19 cases reported Monday in Nova Scotia.
The province has 24 active cases, 21 of which are in the central zone. There are two cases in the eastern zone and one case in the western zone. There are no cases in the northern zone.
One person is in hospital in relation to the virus.
"Nova Scotians' vigilance is paying off as we continue to see few or no new cases being reported daily," said Premier Iain Rankin in a news release.
"However, as we've seen elsewhere, complacency can quickly open the door for the resurgence of COVID-19."
The National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg has confirmed three previously reported cases as the B.1.1.7 variant first identified in the U.K.
The cases are not related to the case previously identified in King's Wharf.
One case is in the eastern zone and is considered resolved. It's related to travel within Canada. Two of the cases are in the central zone and are related to international travel, with one of them considered resolved. The other case is still self-isolating.
Rapid testing locations
Nova Scotia Health Authority's labs completed 2,003 Nova Scotia tests on Sunday, March 28.
"Our continued strong testing numbers in combination with people following the public health protocols is a good formula to keep us where we need to be," said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health, in a news release.
"We must stay the course. Please continue to wear a mask, limit social contacts, practise social distancing, adhere to the gathering limit, stay home if you feel unwell and wash your hands."
Rapid testing will be available this week at the following locations:
- Wednesday, March 31 at Mount Saint Vincent University, Rosaria hall, 85 Seton Rd., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Thursday, April 1 at Mount Saint Vincent University, Rosaria hall, 85 Seton Rd., from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and at the Wolfville and District Lions Club, 36 Elm Ave., from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Friday, April 2 at the Wolfville and District Lions Club, 36 Elm Ave., from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
AstraZeneca could be suspended
Reports circulating online say that National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) will be advising provinces to stop using the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine for people under 55 years old. In Nova Scotia, the vaccine has been approved for people between 50 and 64 years old and appointments have been only available for people between 60 and 64 years old.
P.E.I. suspended use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine for people aged 18 to 29 years old on Monday morning. A government spokesperson said they were awaiting further information from NACI and Health Canada. No further details were provided.
At a news briefing Monday afternoon, Newfoundland and Labrador's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, said the province is also pausing use of the vaccine for people under 55 years old due to a rare side effect, called vaccine-induced prothrombotic immune thrombocytopenia (VIPIT).
Fitzgerald said the side effect, which causes widespread blood clots and a low platelet count, has not been reported in Canada. The province will be pausing the vaccine pending "further analysis from the U.K. and Europe," she said.
The vaccine is still safe for people 55 years and older.
The Chronicle Herald reached out to the Department of Health and Wellness for comment on how the decision could affect Nova Scotia's vaccine program. A response was not available by publication time.
As of March 28, 89,194 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 24,344 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.
Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 296,323 tests. There have been 622 positive COVID-19 cases and one death.
