Nova Scotia reports 118 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday

Nova Scotia reported 118 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, but with more recoveries than new cases, the province's active caseload has dropped.

There are now 1,591 known active cases, down from Monday's caseload of 1,655.

Of the newly reported cases, 98 cases are in central health zone, 11 in eastern zone, five in western zone and four in northern zone.

There are 64 people in hospital, including 10 in the intensive care unit.

Labs in the province finished processing 4,421 COVID-19 tests on Monday.

Nova Scotia expanded eligibility Tuesday morning for the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines to those aged 40-44.

As of Tuesday's update from the province, 374,903 doses of vaccine had been administered. Nearly 35 per cent of the population has received at least one dose.

Resumption of low-risk exposure notifications

On Tuesday, Nova Scotia's health authority announced Public Health was resuming its practice of issuing low-risk exposure notifications.

"If at these low-risk locations, such as retail and grocery stores, it is recommended that those present during the date and time listed get tested," said a news release.

"Unless you have symptoms, you do not need to self-isolate. Public Health strongly encourages all Nova Scotians to regularly get tested for COVID-19."

Shutdown at part of Halifax Shipyard

On Tuesday evening, Irving Shipbuilding said production work for ship repair operations on HMCS Ville de Québec would be shut down Tuesday night and through the day shift Wednesday. 

Spokesperson Mary Keith said approximately 350 shipbuilding employees, contractors and subcontracted labour are affected by the shutdown.

She said a worker tested positive for COVID-19, so rapid testing was held at the shipyard Tuesday and three additional cases were detected. Keith said those workers are now at home self-isolating and awaiting the results of PCR tests.

"Out of an abundance of caution, we are shutting down work," she said.

Health Protection Act violations

Halifax Regional Police said Tuesday three people were fined $2,000 each in Dartmouth for violating the Health Protection Act.

Police received a report that a woman was not self-isolating as required. She was ticketed Monday morning after officers investigated.

That night, police fined a woman and a man after getting a report about a gathering on Nadia Drive in Dartmouth that appeared to violate the restrictions.

Atlantic Canada case numbers

• New Brunswick reported two new cases on Tuesday. There are now 136 active cases. Eleven people are hospitalized, including four in intensive care
• Newfoundland and Labrador reported 15 new cases on Tuesday for a total of 77 active cases.
• P.E.I. announced one new case Monday and now has nine active cases.