Dr. Robert Strang; photo courtesy Communications NS
Twenty-six new cases of COVID-19 are being reported in Nova Scotia today, April 21.
Twenty cases are in Central Zone. Four are related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada and nine are close contacts of previously reported cases, two of which were identified at Dartmouth South Academy and Auburn Drive High.
Six are under investigation, one of which was identified on Tuesday at Mount Edward Elementary.
Three cases are in Northern Zone. One is related to travel outside of Canada. The other two cases are currently under investigation.
Three cases are in Eastern Zone and are related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada.
One of the cases that is under investigation in Central Zone is a staff member at Ocean View Continuing Care Centre, a long-term care facility in Eastern Passage. As a precaution, residents are being isolated and cared for in their rooms and the facility is closed to visitors and designated caregivers. Ocean View is working with public health on the testing that is required for residents and staff.
All residents were offered vaccinations and the majority of residents accepted full vaccination with two doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Ocean View is encouraging and supporting vaccination of remaining residents and staff.
Another case that is under investigation in Central Zone is connected to Joseph Giles Elementary in Dartmouth. The school will remain closed to students until Tuesday, April 27. A deep cleaning will take place and students will learn from home during the closure. Families will receive an update before students return to school on Tuesday.
As with any positive case, public health will be in touch with any close contacts of these cases and advise of next steps, including testing. Everyone who is a close contact will be notified, tested and asked to self-isolate for 14 days.
Out of an abundance of caution, public health is recommending that all students and staff be tested. No self-isolation is required, unless people have been identified as a close contact by public health or have symptoms.
“I am very concerned with the rising number of cases in Nova Scotia, which are higher than we have seen in quite some time,” said Premier Iain Rankin. “We are seeing early signs of community spread and we must strictly follow all public health protocols to get back on track, especially in the greater Halifax region.”
As of Wednesday, Nova Scotia has 80 active cases of COVID-19 while labs completed 4,562 tests on April 20.
“We are seeing a concerning rise in cases,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “There are now early signs of community spread in the Sackville, Halifax, Dartmouth and Lawrencetown areas. We’re asking residents of these areas to closely follow public health measures and go get tested for COVID-19. Testing is one way to detect cases early on, which will help manage them and limit the spread of the virus.”
More than 230,00 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 33,356 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.
Three people are in hospital. There are 686 resolved cases.
