Nova Scotia reports one new case of COVID-19 Thursday

Nova Scotia has 10 known active cases of COVID-19 after reporting a single new case on Thursday.

The new case is in the central health zone and is connected to travel outside of Atlantic Canada, the province reported in a news release. The individual is said to be isolating.

Two people are in hospital with COVID-19, including one in intensive care.

Health authority labs completed 854 tests on Wednesday. Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang noted that testing numbers are dipping and he encouraged people to go in for a swab, even if they don't have symptoms.

"As we are seeing low case numbers, we are also noticing fewer people taking advantage of our asymptomatic testing, but we need people to continue getting tested," Strang said in the province's news release.

"I want to encourage everyone, especially people with a high number of contacts, to make asymptomatic testing part of their regular routine. Testing is one way to stop COVID-19 before it has a chance to spread."

As of Wednesday, Nova Scotia has administered 16,448 vaccine doses, including 4,046 second doses.

Two men fined $1,000 each

Nova Scotia RCMP said Thursday they had charged two men under the Health Protection Act during a traffic stop in Sheet Harbour one week ago. According to a news release, officers discovered the passenger had recently entered the province from outside of Canada and was supposed to be self-isolating until Feb. 4.

The passenger was staying with the driver and both men were ticketed $1,000.

Pop-up testing coming to Amherst, Pictou

The health authority is planning to set up a pop-up rapid testing site in Amherst, N.S., on Friday and Saturday.

The testing is open to anyone who is over the age of 16, does not have COVID-19 symptoms and is not quarantining, has not recently been travelling, and has not been at a potential exposure site or in contact with anyone who has COVID-19.

The testing site it at the Amherst Centre, 142 South Albion St. 

• Friday 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

No appointment is needed.

A mobile testing van is scheduled to be in Pictou on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The van will be parked at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 16, 130 Veteran's Dr. and is open to anyone without symptoms who is not quarantining and is not a close contact of someone with COVID-19.

Children up to 18 can do a swish and gargle test; adults will receive a nasal swab. The health authority suggests booking an appointment online, but drop-ins are also welcome.

Atlantic Canada case numbers

• New Brunswick reported 16 new cases on Thursday and 24 recoveries, making for 256 known active cases. There have been 18 deaths since the pandemic began. Five people are in hospital, two of whom are in intensive care.
• Newfoundland and Labrador reported one new confirmed case and one new presumptive case on Thursday. Excluding the presumptive case, the province has 14 known active cases.
• P.E.I. reported one new case on Thursday. The province has three known active cases.