![Nova Scotia's Top Doctor Reflects On Anniversary Of First COVID-19 Cases](https://media-cdn.socastsrm.com/wordpress/wp-content/blogs.dir/1944/files/2021/02/updatefeb19-mgl0581-scaled.jpg)
Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health. Photo: Communications Nova Scotia
The Chief Medical Officer of Health wants everyone to have a safe and healthy March break.
It’s the first official day of the week-long holiday but it also marks the one-year anniversary of the first presumptive cases of COVID-19 being announced in Nova Scotia.
This time last year the province was in full lockdown. It was on this date in 2020 that former Premier Stephen McNeil extended the March break holiday and shut down daycares. The casinos and bars were closed and dining in restaurants was soon to be dramatically changed.
Doctor Robert Strang recognized the milestone during the provincial briefing on Friday.
“We’ve all worked hard in be in a position, where unlike many other places, even in this country, where we can go to work and go to the gym or go out for a meal in a restaurant,” said Strang. “Our children can play sports and go to school. While some activities and sectors are not back to normal, there is a light at the end of this tunnel.”
Strang says the anniversary of the first cases being announced serves as a stark reminder of the far reaching impacts of COVID-19.
However, he notes none have felt the impacts more than the families of the 65 people in Nova Scotia who died after contracting the virus.
“The impacts have been far reaching. While we have been fortunate to be one of the safest places in the world during this pandemic, these deaths do weight heavily on all of us.”
Fifty-three of the 65 deaths attributed to COVID-19 in Nova Scotia were the result of an outbreak at the Northwood Nursing home in Halifax.