Nova Scotia is reporting nine new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, including one case at Bedford South School.
The student is self-isolating, according to a release from the Department of Health and Wellness. The school was closed Friday.
Everyone in a class that a confirmed case attended will be tested, and is required to self-isolate for 14 days. Bedford South School will be closed for cleaning and contact tracing until at least Wednesday, Dec. 2, the release said.
All cases identified today are in the central zone. There are now 119 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.
Nova Scotia labs completed 3,109 Nova Scotia tests on Thursday.
Rapid-testing pop-ups
An additional 1,142 tests were completed at the rapid-testing pop-up site in downtown Halifax yesterday, finding four positive results. Those people were told to self-isolate and have been referred for a standard test.
The provincial state of emergency has also been renewed. The order will take effect this Sunday and extend to noon Sunday, Dec. 13, unless government terminates or extends it.
If you have no symptoms, but recently attended a party with more than 10 people in someone's home, went to a restaurant or bar that is open past 10 p.m., we are asking you to visit a rapid test popup site.
—@nshealthAnother rapid-testing site is available on Friday. Anyone who does not have symptoms and wants to get tested can visit the Alderney Gate Public Library in Dartmouth from 1:30-8 p.m.
Since the first rapid-testing pop-up site last Saturday, there have been more than 2,700 rapid tests completed in the province.
In Friday's briefing, Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health, reminded people that rapid testing is an important part of the province's testing strategy, but it does not replace the need for a standard lab test.
Including standard lab tests and rapid tests, the province has conducted more than 13,000 tests in the last six days.
1,058 ongoing investigations
When a person tests positive in the lab, Public Health employees investigate each close contact of that confirmed COVID case. There are 1,058 ongoing investigations in the province.
A week ago, that number was 276.
Strang said each positive case has an average of seven close contacts, but many cases have had considerably more than that.
Because of the work involved to complete contact tracing, it takes time for close contacts of positive cases to be contacted by Public Health.
"I ask for people's support and patience during this. Public Health will get to you," Strang said. "While you're waiting, if you believe you're a close contact, just stay isolated at home. We need your help on this."
Strang said he's "relieved" to see relatively low case numbers in the last few days, but expects to continue to see high numbers of new daily cases in the next week to 10 days.
"We're just Day 2 into implementing our tight restrictions in the Halifax area. We're by no means out of the woods yet," he said.
Different testing strategy
The province's testing strategy is different in the second wave than the first, and Strang said it is because of the ages and behaviours of the people who are testing positive for the virus. In Nova Scotia, that's the age 18-35 group.
"This is not a judgment of anyone in this age group, the vast majority of people have been following the rules," Strang said.
But even when people follow the rules, the virus can be easily spread through social activities because many people with COVID-19 are not symptomatic, or have mild symptoms.
Earlier this week, the Department of Health and Wellness asked anyone who was at a bar or restaurant in the Halifax area past 10 p.m. to arrange for testing. Strang said nearly 8,000 people have come forward for a test since then.
In the event a test is necessary, a person can out the self-assessment tool on the province's website.
Staff or patrons of bars or restaurants who were there after 10 p.m. do not need to self-isolate while awaiting a test.
But if a person was at one of the more than 100 recent exposure sites on any of the listed dates and times, they need to self-isolate while awaiting a test.
Essential travel only
Although the province has not changed its self-isolation rules for travellers from other Atlantic provinces, Nova Scotians are still being urged to only travel for essential purposes, including accessing health care and attending work or school.
"I'm sorry to say, shopping is not an essential purpose," said Premier Stephen McNeil.
Strang added to buy local, and buy online, if shopping needs to be done to help contain the second wave of COVID, which began Oct. 1.
"Wave 2 is clearly here in Halifax, and we're trying to keep it in Halifax," he said.
Truro Police Service said in a Facebook post Friday they've received numerous calls from the public asking police to take action against people they believe travelled from the Halifax area to their community in Colchester County.
"While we appreciate concerns about the spread of Covid-19, this travel restriction isn't in Public Health Orders and cannot be directly enforced by police," the post said.
Rapid testing in long-term care
Starting today, ongoing voluntary testing is being introduced in long-term care homes. Volunteers, designated caregivers, and employees who provide direct care to residents will be tested every two weeks.
The testing will start at three locations: Northwood, Ocean View, and St. Vincent's. It will expand to six more facilities over the next two weeks.
"This is part of our effort to monitor, reduce, and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities. None of us need a reminder of how important that is," Strang said.
New restrictions for restaurants, gyms
On Thursday, new restrictions came into effect in most of the Halifax area and parts of Hants County.
Restaurants are closed for in-person dining for two weeks, but can do takeout and delivery. Gyms, libraries, museums and casinos are also closed.
A list of what's open and closed in Halifax can be found here.
COVID cases in the Atlantic provinces
New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island have all brought back mandatory 14-day self-isolation for travellers. As of Thursday evening, Nova Scotia is still not requiring anyone travelling from the Atlantic provinces to quarantine.
The latest numbers from the Atlantic provinces are:
Symptoms
Anyone with one of the following symptoms should visit the COVID-19 self-assessment website or call 811:
- Fever.
- Cough or worsening of a previous cough.
Anyone with two or more of the following symptoms is also asked to visit the website or call 811:
- Sore throat.
- Headache.
- Shortness of breath.
- Runny nose.
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2020-11-27 21:51:00Z
CBMiVGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNiYy5jYS9uZXdzL2NhbmFkYS9ub3ZhLXNjb3RpYS9ub3ZhLXNjb3RpYS1jb3ZpZC1mcmlkYXktbm92LTI3LTEuNTgxODkyOdIBIGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNiYy5jYS9hbXAvMS41ODE4OTI5
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