Nova Scotia is reporting four new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday.
Two cases are in the central health zone which includes Halifax, Eastern Shore and West Hants. The other two cases are in the eastern health zone, which includes Cape Breton, Guysborough and Antigonish areas. All cases are close contacts of previously reported cases.
"We've been seeing low case numbers the past few days, which indicates that our public health measures are working," said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health, in a news release.
"Continue to do your part by wearing a mask, limiting social contacts, practising social distancing, adhering to the gathering limit, staying home if you feel unwell and washing your hands."
Nova Scotia has 12 known active COVID-19 as of Wednesday. No one is currently in hospital.
Nova Scotia Health Authority's labs completed 1,516 Nova Scotia tests on Tuesday, Jan. 26.
Rapid testing is available at two pop-up clinics for the rest of the week.
Pop-up sites for #COVID19 rapid testing are in #Sydney today and tomorrow. https://t.co/a0fvz3BXRK
— Nova Scotia Gov. (@nsgov) January 27, 2021
On Thursday, Jan. 28, a clinic will be set up at Cape Breton University’s Canada Games Complex from 1 to 6 p.m. Rapid testing will be available at a clinic in St. Francis Xavier University’s Amelia Saputo Centre on Friday and Saturday. The clinic will run between 1 to 7 p.m. on Friday and between noon and 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Asymptomatic testing in rural communities
In another news release, Nova Scotia Health said it will be sending Public Health’s mobile units to remote communities or those experiencing barriers related to testing.
The mobile units will provide rural communities with easier access to COVID-19 testing while allowing Public Health to detect new cases in areas where there are currently no active cases or potential exposures.
Testing at these units will be available for all ages using the PCR swab. The swish-and-gargle method for children up to 18 years old is also an option. People can drop in for a test without an appointment.
Public Health Mobile Units begin proactive testing in rural communities. They will be in Masstown this week for drop-in testing on Thursday, Jan. 28 at The Peg (10675 Hwy 2, Masstown) from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Learn more:https://t.co/f1WN1v07jV pic.twitter.com/yUe81PTqRW
— Nova Scotia Health (@HealthNS) January 27, 2021
Public Health’s Mobile Units will be in Masstown this week on Thursday, Jan. 28 at The Peg (10675 Hwy 2, Masstown) from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
You may get tested at the mobile health units if you:
• have no symptoms
• are not a close contact of a person with COVID-19, and
• are not isolating because of travel outside of Nova Scotia, P.E.I. or Newfoundland and Labrador
Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should book an appointment online by visiting: https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en
People don’t need to self-isolate while waiting for the results.
Those coming to get tested should bring their health card if they have one and dress warm as they might have to wait outside.
As of Tuesday, 12,286 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 2,709 Nova Scotians have received their second dose. On Tuesday’s live briefing, Strang said the province’s future vaccine supply remains uncertain.
Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 155,517 tests. There have been 487 positive COVID-19 cases and no deaths.
COVID-19 symptoms
Anyone who is currently experiencing or has experienced in the past 48 hours any of the following symptoms should visit https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/ to do a self-assessment:
- fever (i.e. chills/sweats)
- cough (new or worsening)
Anyone who is currently experiencing or has experienced in the past 48 hours two or more of the following symptoms (new or worsening) should also visit the website:
- sore throat
- runny nose or nasal congestion
- headache
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
People can call 811 if they cannot access the online self-assessment or wish to speak with a nurse about their symptoms.
