1 new case of COVID-19 reported in Nova Scotia Wednesday
So far, 993 out of 1,058 infected people have recovered, 60 have died
One new case of COVID-19 was identified in Nova Scotia through 639 tests done on Tuesday.
The latest case was identified in the Nova Scotia Health Authority's eastern zone — which includes the Cape Breton, Guysborough and Antigonish areas — and the person was exposed through travel outside of Nova Scotia.
"Fortunately, this individual followed public health protocols and was in self-isolation returning to the province and has had minimal exposure at the time they may have been infectious," Nova Scotia Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang said during a press briefing on Wednesday.
So far, 993 people out of 1,058 infected people have recovered from the virus and 60 people have died. Three people are in hospital, including one person in intensive care.
Based on the latest data, there appears to only be five active cases of the virus remaining in the province. But Strang has said there may be delays that result in the data not reconciling, although the province has said it is working to improve this.
"We really know that our total number of active cases is essentially zero, the conclusion is there's nothing really robustly to add," Strang said while answering a question about why the province isn't explicitly reporting the number of active cases.
"We'll look at that and if we get more activity, we might change that. But at this point in time, we felt in terms of all the things we need to do, putting more energy and effort into that was not something we felt was a value for Nova Scotians."
Northwood Halifax is the only long-term care facility in the province that still has active cases of COVID-19: three residents and two staff members.
Have 'appropriate expectations' at restaurants
On Friday, restaurants and salons that are ready can reopen. Strang said he knows people are looking forward to enjoying a meal or a night out, but that they should have "appropriate expectations."
"Your experience will be quite a bit different," Strang said. "Whether you're going to a restaurant, whether you're going to a hair salon, when you continue to go shopping, your experience will look different."
In restaurants, Strang said tables will be further apart to adhere to physical distancing guidelines. He said there will also be other limitations in terms of "entertainment and dancing."
Rules around physical distancing, households and bubbles have not changed, Strang said, adding they apply to restaurants as well.
He said while groups of up to 10 people can gather at a table, they must be from the same household or bubble.
"We're not yet ready to have people from different households come together and sit at a single table at a restaurant," Strang said.
Premier Stephen McNeil said that as the province reopens, it's important Nova Scotians support local businesses.
"They need you and they want to welcome you back," he said.
Updated symptoms list
The list of COVID-19 symptoms recently expanded. People with one or more of the following updated list of symptoms are asked to visit 811's website:
- Fever (chills, sweats).
- Cough or worsening of a previous cough.
- Sore throat.
- Headache.
- Shortness of breath.
- Muscle aches.
- Sneezing.
- Nasal congestion/runny nose.
- Hoarse voice.
- Diarrhea.
- Unusual fatigue.
- Loss of sense of smell or taste.
- Red, purple or bluish lesions on the feet, toes or fingers that do not have a clear cause