One woman dies, 227 new cases in N.S.

HALIFAX — A woman in her 70s has died of COVID-19 in the central zone of Nova Scotia, the public was told at a media briefing Friday in Halifax.

N.S. Premier Iain Rankin reported the news at the live briefing, saying the woman has died at home.

The province is reporting 227 new COVID-19 cases.

As of Friday, Nova Scotia had 1,464 active cases of COVID-19. There are 50 people in hospital, including nine in ICU.

Meanwhile, chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang says Nova Scotia is adding a new age group to its Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna rollout.

Starting Friday, people aged 45 to 49 could book an appointment for either vaccine at community clinics and pharmacies across the province. The vaccines were previously only available to people 50 years and older.

People aged 45 to 49 also became eligible for the AstraZeneca vaccine a week ago.

Appointments will be continuously added as more vaccine becomes available and supply is confirmed.