COVID-19/HEALTH/WELLNESS–Twelve New Cases of COVID-19

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As of today, April 30, Nova Scotia has 947 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Twelve new cases were identified Wednesday, April 29.

“I want to thank all Nova Scotians for their patience and vigilance – we will get through this together,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “I urge you all to keep practising good hygiene and maintaining social distance.”

The QEII Health Sciences Centre’s microbiology lab completed 901 Nova Scotia tests on April 29 and is operating 24-hours.

“Now is not the time to let our guard down,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “What we are doing is working to slow this virus’ spread and we need to stay the course. Please continue to follow public health orders and advice.”

As of April 29, there were 10 licensed long-term care homes and unlicensed seniors’ facilities in Nova Scotia with cases of COVID-19, involving 235 residents and 104 staff.

If you have two or more of the following symptoms, visit https://811.novascotia.ca to determine if you should call 811 for further assessment:

— fever

— new or worsening cough

— sore throat 

— runny nose 

— headache 

To date, Nova Scotia has 28,209 negative test results, 947 positive COVID-19 test results and 28 deaths. Confirmed cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. Ten individuals are currently in hospital, three of those in ICU. Five-hundred and forty-five individuals have now recovered and their cases of COVID-19 are considered resolved. Cases have been identified in all parts of the province. A map and graphic presentation of the case data is available athttps://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/data.

Public health is working to identify and test people who may have come in close contact with the confirmed cases. Those individuals who have been confirmed are being directed to self-isolate at home, away from the public, for 14 days.

Anyone who has travelled outside Nova Scotia must self-isolate for 14 days. As always, any Nova Scotian who develops symptoms of acute respiratory illness should limit their contact with others until they feel better.

It is now more important than ever for Nova Scotians to strictly adhere to the public health orders and directives – practise good hygiene, maintain a physical distance of two metres or six feet from others, limit essential gatherings to no more than five people and stay at home as much as possible.

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

— a state of emergency was declared under the Emergency Management Act on March 22 and extended to May 3

Additional Resources:

Government of Canada: https://canada.ca/coronavirus

Government of Canada toll-free information line 1-833-784-4397

The Mental Health Provincial Crisis Line is available 24/7 to anyone experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis, or someone concerned about them, by calling 1-888-429-8167 (toll free)

Kids Help Phone is available 24/7, by calling 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free)

For help or information about domestic violence 24/7, call 1-855-225-0220 (toll-free)