11 New Cases of COVID-19, Nine Recoveries, Delta and Gamma Variants Identified

Today, June 26, Nova Scotia is reporting 11 new cases of COVID-19 and nine recoveries today, June 26.

All of the cases are in Central Zone. Ten are close contacts and one is related to travel. The close contacts are within a linked group of families and do not represent wide community spread. There is limited community spread in Central Zone. Eastern, Northern and Western Zones continue to be closely monitored for community spread.

The National Microbiology Lab has confirmed two Delta variant cases and one Gamma variant case. These cases were previously reported.

“Testing has been an important part of our COVID-19 response and will continue to be as we work through our reopening plan,” said Premier Iain Rankin. “We are seeing the variants in our province. Early detection of COVID-19 will help to limit further spread of the virus. If you are out this weekend, drop by one of the rapid pop-up testing sites and get a COVID test.”

As of today, Nova Scotia has 62 active cases of COVID-19. Of those, two people are in hospital COVID-19 units. The median age of people hospitalized in the third wave is 52 for non-ICU and 55 for people in ICU.

On June 25, Nova Scotia Health Authority's labs completed 4,021 tests.

“We know the COVID-19 vaccines are effective and help to protect people against the virus,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “To ensure maximum protection against COVID-19 and its variants, people need to get fully vaccinated with two doses of the vaccine. Getting a different mRNA vaccine for your second dose is safe and will help us reach population immunity quicker. If you are eligible to book your second dose, take the first appointment that is available.”

Since April 1, there have been 4,083 positive COVID-19 cases and 26 deaths. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. There are 3,995 resolved cases. Cumulative cases may change as data is updated in Panorama.

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 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 July 11, 2021

Additional Resources:

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

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

Nova's Scotia's five-phase reopening plan, announced May 28, 2021: https://novascotia.ca/reopening-plan/

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)