HRM: Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health has announced two new presumptive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of positives in the province to seven.
As of today, March 17, Nova Scotia has 934 negative test results, six presumptive positive cases and one confirmed case
The two new presumptive cases are travel-related and connected to earlier cases.
One of the initial three presumptive positive cases have now been confirmed by the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg.
The affected individuals are in self-isolation and recovering at home.
Public health has been in contact with these individuals and working to identify others who may have come in close contact with them. Those individuals are also being directed to self-isolate at home, away from the public, for 14 days.
Anyone who has travelled outside of Canada or has been in close contact with someone who has travelled and are experiencing fever (above 38 C) and/or new cough should complete the online questionnaire before calling 811. The online questionnaire can be found at: https://811.novascotia.ca/
Nova Scotians can find accurate, up-to-date information, handwashing posters and fact sheets at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus .
Quick Facts:
— testing numbers are updated daily at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus
— the Government of Canada has issued a travel advisory asking Canadians to avoid non-essential travel outside Canada until further notice
— Nova Scotia’s Health Protection Act gives the chief medical officer of health the authority to give advice to protect public health and decrease risk to public health presented by communicable diseases such as COVID-19
Additional Resources:
The Public Health Agency of Canada maintains a list of affected areas: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/health-professionals/covid-19-affected-areas-list.html
Government of Canada: https://canada.ca/coronavirus
Government of Canada toll-free information line 1-833-784-4397
Nova Scotia Public Health offices: http://www.nshealth.ca/public-health-offices
