One death, 57 new cases on weekend

A man in his 70s has died from COVID-19 and Nova Scotia is reporting 57 new cases over the past three days.

"My heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the man who has passed," said Premier Tim Houston, of the man who was in the western zone.

"COVID-19 is still in our province. Please get vaccinated, stay home if you are sick and continue to follow public health protocols."

Public health also reported 63 recoveries since the last update on Oct. 23. There are 152 active cases of COVID-19, and of those, 11 people are in hospital, including two in ICU. Twenty-nine cases are in the central zone, 17 cases in the northern zone, 10 in the western zone and one case in the eastern zone.

"It is never easy to hear that a Nova Scotian has passed away as a result of COVID-19. My thoughts and prayers are with those who are grieving," said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health. "Getting vaccinated will not only protect you but also your loved ones and your community. I encourage all Nova Scotians to get both doses and keep doing all you can to protect each other."

There are five patients in the Valley Regional Hospital in Kentville who were in a NON-COVID ward who tested positive, with one person in the ICU.

Four schools were given exposure notices over the past three days. The complete list of school exposures this fall is available online at backtoschool.ednet.ns.ca/ school-exposures.

Nova Scotia Health Authority's labs completed 2,269 tests on Friday; 2,599 tests on Saturday; and 2,056 tests on Sunday.

As of Sunday, 1,562,774 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 755,858 Nova Scotians have received their second dose and 1,037 eligible Nova Scotians have received a third dose.

Since Aug. 1, there have been 1,369 positive COVID19 cases and five deaths. Cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. There are 1,212 resolved cases.

TESTING ADVICE

Nova Scotians with or without symptoms can book a test at covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en for COVID-19 for COVID-19 testing centres across the province. Those eligible to receive asymptomatic testing are listed at www.nshealth.ca/visit-covid19-testing-site. Those with no symptoms who do not meet the criteria are encouraged to use one of the rapid testing pop-up sites if they want to be tested. Some public health mobile unit clinics also offer drop-in testing; this will be

noted in promotions.

SYMPTOMS AND SELF-ASSESSMENT

Nova Scotians should go online to covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en to do a self-assessment if in the past 48 hours they have had or are currently experiencing a new or worsening cough, or two or more of the following symptoms:

• fever (chills, sweats);

• headache;

• runny nose or nasal congestion;

• sore throat;

• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

People should call 811 if they cannot access the online self-assessment or wish to speak with a nurse about their symptoms.

Anyone with symptoms should immediately self-isolate and book a test.