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Health authority says there was possible COVID-19 exposure at 2 Halifax locations

The Nova Scotia Health Authority says there was a potential risk of public exposure to COVID-19 at at the Halifax Grammar School gymnasium and the Homburg Athletic Centre gymnasium between Thursday, March 5 and Saturday, March 7.

Sites are Halifax Grammar School gymnasium, Homburg Athletic Centre gymnasium from March 5 to 7

CBC News ·
This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, orange, emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab. (NIAID-RML/The Associated Press)

The Nova Scotia Health Authority says there was a potential risk of public exposure to COVID-19 at two Halifax locations between Thursday, March 5 and Saturday, March 7.

People who visited the Halifax Grammar School gymnasium and the Homburg Athletic Centre gymnasium during that time may have been exposed to COVID-19 and are being advised to monitor their health for COVID-19 symptoms.

Provincial high school basketball tournament events were taking place at the facilities on the given days.

The health authority said everyone who is at a high risk of exposure has already been identified and is now in self-isolation.

There may be others who had low-risk exposure, and may at some point show COVID-19 symptoms. The health authority anticipates anyone exposed to the virus at these events will develop symptoms by Saturday, March 21.

In a news release, Dr. Claudia Sarbu, central zone regional medical officer of health, said the risk is low for anyone who has not already been identified and attended these locations during those dates.

As of Thursday, March 19, 14 cases of COVID-19 have been detected in Nova Scotia. Five of those cases are confirmed and nine are presumptive.

In an email sent on Thursday, Dalhousie University president Deep Saini informed students, faculty and staff there was a presumptive positive case of COVID-19 in the Dalhousie community.

This case is among the 14 already identified by authorities.

Saini's note said anyone who may have been exposed has already been contacted by public health. He said people who have not been contacted likely weren't exposed.

"I recognize the anxiety and uncertainty that this news creates for members of our community. This reinforces the importance of looking after ourselves and 'flattening the curve,'" Saini wrote.

COVID-19 symptoms

The symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, difficulty breathing and pneumonia.

If you think you have COVID-19 symptoms:

  • Take the COVID-19 self-assessment questionnaire to determine if you need to call 811.
  • If needed, call 811 for assessment. Advice will be given on next steps.
  • Do not go directly to a COVID-19 assessment centre without being directed to do so by 811.
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