126 New Cases of COVID-19, 103 Recoveries

Today, May 16, Nova Scotia is reporting 126 new cases of COVID-19 and 103 recoveries.

There are 106 cases in Central Zone, nine in Eastern Zone, nine in Western Zone and two in Northern Zone.

“Today’s numbers are a clear reminder that while we are on the right track, we cannot let down our guard,” said Premier Iain Rankin. “It is crucial that we all continue to follow the public health protocols and get tested regularly. Stay in your community, stay positive and stay safe.”

A tenth patient in a non-COVID unit at the Halifax Infirmary site of the QEII Health Sciences Centre has tested positive for COVID-19. They had been discharged and are recovering at home. The other patients in the non-COVID unit have tested negative and are being closely monitored. As a precaution, Nova Scotia Health Authority is testing staff and doctors who have worked in the unit.

There is community spread in Central Zone. The Eastern, Northern and Western Zones continue to be closely monitored for community spread. There are some areas of concern, particularly in Sydney, Bridgewater and the Annapolis Valley from New Minas to Kentville. Testing has been increased in these areas.

As of today, Nova Scotia has 1,531 active cases of COVID-19. There are 92 people in hospital, including 21 in ICU.

On May 15, Nova Scotia Health Authority's labs completed 6,660 tests.

“We knew we would have some ups and downs as we worked to get this outbreak under control,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health. “We can get these numbers down if we stay the course and continue to follow all public health measures. Stay close to home and be kind to one another.”

Since April 1, there have been 2,994 positive COVID-19 cases and six deaths. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. There are 1,457 resolved cases. The median age of people hospitalized in the third wave is 55 for non-ICU, and 59 for people in ICU. Cumulative cases may change as data is updated in Panorama.

Travel within Nova Scotia:
Nova Scotians should remain as close to their home and community as possible, unless travel is essential for work, caregiving, necessary shopping or medical appointments, including vaccination appointments. In this instance, 'community' is defined as one's municipality or county. Detailed information is available at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/restrictions-and-guidance/ .

Testing advice:
Nova Scotians with or without symptoms can book a test at https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en for primary assessment centres across the province. Those with no symptoms are strongly encouraged to use pop-up sites if they are not showing symptoms but want to be tested.

More information on testing can be found at https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting .

Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms is advised to self-isolate and book a COVID-19 test. Everyone they live with must also self-isolate until the person receives their first negative test result. If the test is positive, public health will advise everyone about what to do.

Anyone advised by public health that they were a close contact needs to complete a full 14-day quarantine, regardless of test results. If the close contact is symptomatic, everyone they live with must also self-isolate until the person receives their first negative test result. If the test is positive, public health will advise everyone about what to do.

Symptoms and self-assessment:
Nova Scotians should visit https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/ to do a self-assessment if in the past 48 hours they have had or are currently experiencing mild symptoms, including:

• fever (i.e. chills/sweats) or cough (new or worsening)
• sore throat
• runny nose/nasal congestion
• headache
• shortness of breath/difficulty breathing

People should call 811 if they cannot access the online self-assessment or wish to speak with a nurse about their symptoms.

Anyone with symptoms should immediately self-isolate and book a test.

Quick Facts:

• a state of emergency was declared under the Emergency Management Act on March 22, 2020, and extended to May 30, 2021
• due to an increased number of investigations, the exposure category (i.e., travel, close contact or under investigation) is not available by release time; a breakdown by zone identifying exposure categories will no longer be provided regularly

Additional Resources:

More information on COVID-19 case data, testing and vaccines is available at: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/data/

More information on testing for the Sydney, Bridgwater and Annapolis Valley areas can be found at: https://www.nshealth.ca/news/public-health-increasing-covid-19-testing-capacity-across-province-address-areas-concern-0

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

More information about public health text notifications of positive COVID-19 cases and close contacts is available here: https://www.nshealth.ca/news/public-health-begins-contacting-positive-covid-19-cases-close-contacts-text-message

More information on what is considered essential travel is available here: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/travel/#from-outside-atlantic-canada

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

Anyone needing help with a non-crisis mental health or addiction concern can 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)