Nova Scotia reports 1 new COVID-19 case, renews state of emergency

Nova Scotia is reporting one new case of COVID-19 on Friday.

The case was identified in the central health zone and is related to travel, according to a release from the province.

Three people have also recovered from the virus, bringing the province's active total to 13. Of those cases, one person is in intensive care.

Nova Scotia Health's labs completed 3,494 tests on Thursday.

As of Thursday, 76.6 per cent of Nova Scotians have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 66.2 per cent have two doses.

The provincial government also announced that it will renew its state of emergency that was first declared on March 22, 2020.

The order will extend until noon of Aug. 22, unless the government terminates or extends it.

A new potential exposure was also reported Friday for WestJet Flight 254 travelling on July 31 from Toronto (10:12 a.m.) to Halifax (12:51 a.m. on Aug. 1), affecting passengers in rows 12-18, seats A, B, C and D.

Anyone exposed may develop symptoms through Aug. 15.

More clinics opening for drop-ins

Community vaccine clinics in New Minas, Bridgewater and Yarmouth are opening for drop-ins again next week to allow easier access to the Pfizer vaccine.
 
Any eligible residents and nearby community members over the age of 12 can walk in to receive their first or second dose between next Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Drop-ins will be available at the following locations:

• New Minas Community Clinic, New Minas Baptist Church, 9453 Commercial St.
• Bridgewater Community Clinic, NSCC Lunenburg Campus, 75 High St.
• Yarmouth Community Clinic, NSCC Burridge Campus, 371 Pleasant St.

Community members will be asked to provide their health card number and ID at the vaccine clinic.

Health authority warns of scam

Nova Scotia Health says there have been reports of a telephone scam related to the in-home COVID-19 vaccination program. A caller claims to be from Nova Scotia Health's continuing care program, and asks someone for their financial information.

The health authority said in a release Friday that it will not ask for banking, financial, or other sensitive information like social insurance numbers when anyone calls to book an in-home vaccination appointment. 

Anyone registered for the in-home vaccination program who receives a telephone call that claims to be from Nova Scotia Health's Continuing Care program requesting this type of information should hang up and contact 1-800-225-7225.

Atlantic Canada case numbers

• Prince Edward Island, which does not give a daily update, has four active cases according to the province's COVID-19 website.

• New Brunswick reported six new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, and has 55 active cases.

• Newfoundland and Labrador reported two new cases and has seven active cases. The province has also said it will drop mandatory masks requirements as of Tuesday, Aug. 10.