2 new COVID-19 cases, both related to travel, identified in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is reporting two new cases of COVID-19 in the central zone, both related to travel outside the Atlantic bubble.

The individuals have been self-isolating, according to a news release issued Saturday by the Department of Health and Wellness.

The new cases were discovered among 1,039 tests that were completed by the Nova Scotia Health Authority on Friday.

A spokesperson with the department said one case is related to international travel and the other is from travel within Canada, but outside the bubble.

The spokesperson also confirmed the new cases are connected to possible exposures on Air Canada flights from Toronto to Halifax earlier this week.

Passengers who were on Air Canada Flight 604 on Oct. 12 may have been exposed to the virus, according to a release from the health authority. The flight departed Toronto at 8 a.m.

Those in rows 27, 28, 29, 30 and in seats A, B and C are more likely to have had close contact. 

Passengers who were on Air Canada Flight 610 on Oct. 12 may have also been exposed to the virus. It left Toronto at 2:10 p.m.

Those in rows 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and in seats D, E, F are more likely to have had close contact.

The passengers in these listed seats on both flights have been asked to self-isolate as required, monitor for symptoms and call 811 for advice.

The health authority anticipates that anyone exposed to the virus on these flights may develop symptoms up to, and including, Oct. 26. Those who were on these flights but not in the listed seats, are still asked to monitor for symptoms and call 811 if symptoms develop.

Possible exposure in Halifax cab

The health authority is also warning of a possible exposure to any individuals who may have travelled in a cab from the Halifax Stanfield International Airport to a residence in Halifax on Oct. 12 between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.

The advisory is being issued out of an abundance of caution, according to a NSHA release Saturday.

The health authority said it will be contacting anyone known to be a close contact of the person, or persons, confirmed to have the virus. 

Those exposed to the virus in the cab should monitor for symptoms as they may develop symptoms up to, and including, Oct. 26. 

The province now has five known active cases, but no one was in hospital as of late Saturday morning.

A new case was also reported on Friday and is also connected to travel outside the Atlantic bubble. 

The government has extended the province's state of emergency. The order takes effect Sunday at noon and extends to Nov. 1. 

Nova Scotia has had 104,392 negative test results, 1,095 positive COVID-19 cases and 65 deaths since the pandemic began.

The latest numbers from around the Atlantic bubble are:

• New Brunswick reported eight new cases Saturday. It has 100 active cases.
• Newfoundland and Labrador reported no new cases Saturday and has 11 active cases. 
• P.E.I. reported no new cases Friday. It has two active cases.

Symptoms

Anyone with one of the following symptoms should visit the COVID-19 self-assessment website or call 811:

• Fever.
• Cough or worsening of a previous cough.

Anyone with two or more of the following symptoms is also asked to visit the website or call 811:

• Sore throat.
• Headache.
• Shortness of breath.
• Runny nose.