Tuesday marks 8 days with no new COVID-19 cases in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia did not report any new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday for the eighth straight day.

Some visitor restrictions eased for hospitals starting Thursday

CBC News · Posted: Sep 15, 2020 10:14 AM EDT | Last Updated: September 15, 2020

The last new case of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia was reported on Sept. 7. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press)

Nova Scotia has gone eight days without reporting any new cases of COVID-19.

The provincial labs completed 866 tests on Monday, yielding zero positive results, according to a news release Tuesday from the Department of Health.

There remains one active case of the virus being monitored by Public Health.

The latest numbers from around the Atlantic bubble are:

New Brunswick reported one new case on Monday and has three active cases.
Newfoundland and Labrador reported no new cases Monday and has two active cases.
P.E.I. reported no new cases and eight active cases as of Friday.

Visitor restrictions to be eased

Also on Tuesday, the Nova Scotia Health Authority announced upcoming changes to visitor restrictions at hospitals.

Beginning on Thursday, all hospital inpatients will be allowed to have two support people or family caregivers visit at the same time. According to a news release, those people may change daily and appointments are not required. Additional family members could be permitted for patients nearing end of life, based on discussion with care teams.

Patients arriving at hospital for appointments or procedures will now be allowed to have one person accompany them.

"Having a loved one present during hospitalization is important for patient care, experience, safety and outcomes. With the consistently low number of known COVID-19 cases in the province, Nova Scotia Health believes it's time to reintegrate family caregivers as part of our care teams," the release said.

The news release notes that there may be some circumstances where space restrictions may not make it possible for physical distancing in clinic areas. People will be made aware of those situations ahead of time.

Anyone attending the hospital to support a patient will be screened upon entry, be required to wear a mask and physically distance from others at all times, and not stop on their way to or from visiting the patient.

The health authority says the procedures will vary by site and unit based upon the ability to mange and monitor public health guidelines.