Nova Scotia reports no new cases of COVID-19 on Monday
Province's active cases fall to 15, the fewest since November
With no new cases announced on Monday, Nova Scotia has reported only one positive result for COVID-19 over the past three days.
The number of active cases in the province is down to 15, the lowest number since early November. No one is in hospital because of the virus.
Nova Scotia's health authority said drop-in testing will be available at Public Health's mobile health units on Tuesday and Wednesday at Dalhousie University (Goldberg Computer Science Building, University Avenue, Edward Street entrance) from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Anyone can get a test if they don't have any symptoms of COVID-19 or contact with someone who has tested positive.
In a news release, Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health, cautioned Nova Scotians not to become complacent because of the low figures.
"I worry that people will see no new cases and think they no longer need to follow the public health measures," he said in the release. "Let's work to keep our numbers low by remaining vigilant ..."
Nova Scotia's health authority completed 837 tests on Sunday.
Potential COVID-19 exposure
On Monday, the health authority issued a potential COVID-19 exposure for WestJet Flight 3346 travelling on Jan. 10 from Toronto (9 a.m.) to Halifax (12 p.m.). Passengers in rows 5-11, seats A, B and C are asked to immediately to book a COVID-19 test, regardless of whether you have COVID-19 symptoms. The health authority noted that the self-isolation period for this exposure ended Sunday, but said all other passengers on this flight should continue to monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
A full listing of active potential COVID-19 exposures in Nova Scotia can be found here.
Vaccine distribution
As of Monday, 11,083 doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered by the province, and 2,708 Nova Scotians have already received their second dose of the vaccine.
Last week, the province announced that there would be no new shipments of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine this week. Officials said the province is expected to get "limited amounts" of the Pfizer vaccine, as well as its usual allotment of Moderna vaccine, in the first week of February.
In the release, Premier Stephen McNeil said Nova Scotians should be proud of their success in coming out of the weekend with just one case.
"I thank everyone for their work in keeping our case numbers low. We can keep them low if we continue following all the public health protocols," he said.
Some restrictions eased Monday
Some restrictions on sports, arts and culture were to be eased on Monday.
Sports teams will be able to play games, but with restricted travel and no spectators, and there can be no games or tournaments involving teams that would not regularly play against each other. Art and theatre performances can take place without an audience.
The province will also allow residents of adult service centres and regional rehabilitation centres to start volunteering and working in the community again.
Returning students urged to get tested
Post-secondary students returning to Nova Scotia from anywhere except Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador are being encouraged to book a COVID-19 test appointment.
The test should be booked for the sixth, seventh or eighth day of their 14-day self-isolation period. Testing appointments can be booked up to three days in advance.
Atlantic Canada case numbers
- Newfoundland and Labrador reported no new cases Monday. The province has five active cases and one person is in hospital with the virus.
- New Brunswick reported 27 new cases on Monday for a total of 348 active cases. Six people are being treated in hospital, three in intensive care. The province also announced its 14th death related to the virus.
- P.E.I. reported two new cases on Tuesday, one related to travel. The other is a close contact of a previously reported case. The province had seven active cases.
MORE TOP STORIES