COVID-19 levels in N.S. remain low as respiratory-illness season approaches, Strang says

COVID-19 levels in Nova Scotia remain well below those seen during previous waves of the virus, according to Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health, who gave a briefing Tuesday on the upcoming respiratory-illness season.

Dr. Robert Strang said influenza shots and the new COVID-19 subvariant vaccines are being rolled out over the course of the next month, and Nova Scotians aged six months and older are eligible.

He said the levels of flu and COVID-19 this year in the southern hemisphere, which can be an indicator of what's to come in the northern hemisphere, were "reassuring."

"We need to remain careful, but not alarmed," he told reporters.

Last fall saw a significant spike in respiratory cases in the province, particularly among children with illnesses such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Flu season also arrived earlier than normal.

Strang said a scenario in which RSV, the flu and COVID-19 are circulating at the same time and at significant levels wasn't seen this year down south. Flu levels were around normal, he said, and there was only a modest increase in COVID-19.

There has recently been an increase in COVID-19 outbreaks in Nova Scotia long-term care homes, Strang said, but they remain small and only a "limited" number of residents are becoming severely ill. Hospitalizations due to the virus have also ticked upwards but are "significantly lower" than previous waves, he said.

He encouraged Nova Scotians to get vaccinated against both the flu and against the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant of the virus that causes COVID-19. 

The Moderna vaccine for the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant, which was approved last month, will likely become available to Nova Scotians next week, Strang said, while Pfizer-BioNtech shipments are expected toward the end of the month.

The high-dose flu vaccine, which had been only available for free to people in long-term care homes, will this year be given free of charge to anyone older than 65. It is available now, according to the province.

The standard flu shot will be available starting the week of Oct. 23, Strang said.

Not like Taylor Swift tickets

Strang acknowledged the uptake on two rounds of COVID-19 booster shots, in the spring and last fall, was low, something he attributed to "COVID fatigue."

It also became "fairly complicated" explaining who was eligible for the booster shot and when, which Strang said public health officials have tried to simplify.

Public health officials are not recommending that most people with cold or flu symptoms take a COVID-19 test, Strang said, as there's little benefit in knowing what virus they have.

They should simply stay home, he said. And if they can't, they should mask, wash their hands, stay away from anyone who is old or at high risk, and avoid visiting people in places like hospitals and nursing homes.

Only those at high risk, such as the elderly and people with chronic illnesses, should test for COVID-19, as they may be eligible for early COVID-19 treatments, Strang said.

Vaccine booking

More than 300 pharmacies across the province will begin to post appointments for flu and COVID shots as they become available. Nova Scotians can book through the province's website, and a phone number will be available next week.

Patients can also get vaccinated through their family practice.

"Let me reassure you that these are not like Taylor Swift tickets," Strang said. "Over the course of the next few months, there'll be enough appointments and vaccines available for everyone who wants one."

In the province's most recent report, COVID-19 cases rose in August compared to July, although the numbers were similar to those in June.

Nova Scotia's health authority said in a statement Tuesday that it will examine and possibly adjust the protective measures it has in place, as COVID cases creep up and it's expected that flu and other respiratory viruses will begin to circulate in the coming weeks.

The health authority lifted some masking and screening measures last month in hospitals and other facilities. But it said Tuesday that masks remain mandatory in "direct patient-care areas," such as emergency rooms, inpatients units and outpatients units that deal with those at highest risk of infection.

Health-care staff also must wear masks in any encounter with a patient who is wearing one, or if the patient or their support person asks the employee to put one on.