8 new cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia on Saturday, new possible exposures

There are eight new cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia, the highest jump in a day since mid-May.

There are now 33 known active cases in the province

CBC News · Posted: Nov 21, 2020 12:16 PM EST | Last Updated: November 21, 2020

A nurse holds a swab before testing a patient during a demonstration of a drive-thru COVID-19 testing centre in Ottawa on Nov. 18. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

There are eight new cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia, the highest single-day jump since May.

Public Health said the new cases bring the province's active total to 33 known cases.

All eight new cases are in the central zone. Two are connected to previously reported cases, while six are under investigation

The last time eight cases were announced in one day was on May 15.

"This is the single largest jump in COVID-19 cases we have seen in our province in recent months," Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health, said in a release.

New restrictions in much of Halifax Regional Municipality and parts of Hants County come into effect Monday, including limiting gatherings without physical distancing to five people, down from 10.

The restrictions can be found here.

"These increasing case numbers tell us we need to follow public health protocols to get back on track, especially in the greater Halifax area," Premier Stephen McNeil said in the release.

New possible exposures

Five new possible COVID-19 exposures in the Halifax area were also announced on Saturday:

Bell Aliant at 209 Chain Lake Drive on Nov. 15 between 3-4:30 p.m. Anyone exposed to the virus at this location may develop symptoms up to, and including, Nov. 29.
Halifax Central Library at 5440 Spring Garden Rd. on Nov. 16 between 3-5:30 p.m. Anyone exposed to the virus at this location may develop symptoms up to, and including, Nov. 30.
Goodlife Fitness - Halifax Clayton Park at 70 Lacewood Dr. on Nov. 17 between 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Anyone exposed to the virus at this location may develop symptoms up to, and including Dec. 1.
Goodlife Fitness- Tantallon Westwood at 3650 Hammonds Plains Rd., Upper Tantallon on Nov. 17 between 2:30-5:30 p.m. Anyone exposed to the virus at this location may develop symptoms up to, and including, Dec. 1.
Sobeys Spryfield at 279 Herring Cove Rd. on Nov. 18 between 4-5 p.m. Anyone exposed to the virus at this location may develop symptoms up to, and including, Dec. 2.

Anyone present at these locations during these times is asked to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19.

On Saturday evening, 17 more exposure notices were issued, including restaurants, gyms, and grocery stores.

The active exposure sites in the greater Halifax area are listed here.

There were 1,384 tests completed in Nova Scotia labs on Friday.

To date, Nova Scotia has had 1,168 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 65 deaths. No one is currently in hospital related to COVID-19.

The latest numbers from around the Atlantic bubble are:

New Brunswick reported a single-day record 23 cases on Saturday. It has 71 active cases with one person in hospital. Public Health in New Brunswick is now asking anyone who has travelled from Halifax back to N.B. to self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days as a result of community spread in Halifax.
Newfoundland and Labrador reported five new cases on Saturday and the province now has 18 active cases. Public Health is providing new guidance to residents in light of Friday's travel-related case of COVID-19 from someone who had been to Nova Scotia. If travel to Nova Scotia is "essential," Newfoundland travellers must follow all Public Health guidelines, limit their close contacts to as few as possible, and avoid large gatherings and crowded public places. When arriving back in Newfoundland and Labrador from Nova Scotia, people should self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 for the first 14 days and during that time should not attend any gatherings, avoid crowded public places, and wear a mask when in contact with anyone outside their household bubble.
P.E.I. last reported one new case Nov. 11. The province has one active case.