News release

Three New Cases And Additional UK Variants Detected

COVID-19
Health and Wellness

Three new cases of COVID-19 are being reported in Nova Scotia today.

One case is in Western Zone and is currently under investigation.

Two cases are in Central Zone. One is related to travel within Atlantic Canada. The person is self-isolating, as required. The other case is a close contact of a previously reported travel case.

Unrelated to those cases, three more cases of the UK variant, formally called B.1.1.7, have been identified by the National Microbiology Lab today. Two cases are in Central Zone and travelled together. The other case is in Western Zone and is not connected to the pair who travelled. The people were tested earlier this month and are self-isolating. The three cases are being reinvestigated. This brings the total number of cases of the UK variant in Nova Scotia to six.

“This reminds us again why we must remain vigilant. COVID-19 will continue to be the most important health issue facing Nova Scotia in 2021 and I’m looking forward to working closely with Dr. Strang and his team,” said Premier Iain Rankin. “I will continue to support the province’s solid public health response to this pandemic and ensure a transparent vaccine roll-out.”

As of today, Feb. 23, Nova Scotia has 20 active cases of COVID-19.

Nova Scotia Health Authority's labs completed 1,560 Nova Scotia tests on Feb. 22.

As of Feb. 22, 27,966 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 11,532 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.

Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia has completed 194,414 tests. There have been 524 positive COVID-19 cases and no deaths. One person is currently in hospital, in ICU. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 70. Five hundred and four cases are now resolved. Cumulative cases may change as data is updated in Panorama.

“With more variants identified in the province, I want to thank Nova Scotians for their continued efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “The best way to protect one another is by following all public health measures – wear a mask, wash your hands, maintain physical distance, adhere to the gathering limits and stay home if you are feeling unwell.”

Nova Scotians are strongly encouraged to seek asymptomatic COVID-19 testing, particularly if they have a large number of close contacts due to their work or social activities. Appointments can be booked at https://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. More information on testing can be found at https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting .

Visit https://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.

When a new case of COVID-19 is confirmed, the person is directed to self-isolate at home, away from the public, for 14 days. Public health works to identify and test people who may have come in close contact with that person.

Anyone who has travelled from anywhere except Prince Edward Island must self-isolate for 14 days. As always, anyone who develops symptoms of acute respiratory illness should limit their contact with others until they feel better.

It remains important for Nova Scotians to strictly adhere to the public health order and directives - practise good hand washing and other hygiene steps, maintain a physical distance when and where required. Wearing a non-medical mask is mandatory in most indoor public places.

Nova Scotians can find accurate, up-to-date information, handwashing posters and fact sheets at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus .

Businesses and other organizations can find information to help them safely reopen and operate at https://novascotia.ca/reopening-nova-scotia .

Quick Facts:

Additional Resources:

Government of Canada: https://canada.ca/coronavirus

Government of Canada information line 1-833-784-4397 (toll-free)

The Mental Health Provincial Crisis Line is available 24/7 to anyone experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis, or someone concerned about them, by calling 1-888-429-8167 (toll-free)

If you need help with a non-crisis mental health or addiction concern call Community Mental Health and Addictions at 1-855-922-1122 (toll-free) weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Kids Help Phone is available 24/7 by calling 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free)

For help or information about domestic violence 24/7, call 1-855-225-0220 (toll-free)

For more information about COVID-19 testing and online booking, visit https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/symptoms-and-testing/