16 new COVID-19 cases in Nova Scotia on Monday
Pop-up COVID-19 clinics open in Wolfville, Halifax for people without symptoms or known exposures
Nova Scotia reported 16 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, giving the province a total of 138 active cases.
One of the new cases, linked to Northeast Kings Education Centre in Canning, was announced late Sunday but reported in Monday's figures. The other 15 are in the central zone.
The Nova Scotia Health Authority said 628 people were tested at a pop-up clinic in Dartmouth, yielding six positive results. Those people were told to self-isolate and make arrangements to take a standard test.
The health authority completed a total of 3,054 tests Sunday. It also reported that on Friday, it wrongly reported nine positive cases, when in fact it was eight.
"We continue to see strong interest in the asymptomatic pop-up rapid testing locations, which shows Nova Scotians, including young Nova Scotians, are taking this virus seriously," said Premier Stephen McNeil in a news release.
"I want to thank all who have come out for a test, as well as the volunteers and health staff at the sites. We are also seeing impressive test numbers at the labs, a reflection of the hard work of staff there. These are important pieces of our collective effort to contain the virus."
On Monday evening, the Nova Scotia Health Authority announced two sites where potential COVID-19 exposures may have taken place:
- East Peak Indoor Climbing at 6408 Quinpool Rd. on Nov. 21 between 1:30-4:30 p.m. Symptoms may develop up to, and including, Dec. 5.
- Heartwood Cafe at 3061 Gottingen St. on Nov. 21 between 4:00-7:00 p.m. Symptoms may develop up to, and including, Dec. 5.
Anyone exposed to the coronavirus at these locations is asked to call 811 to arrange for COVID-19 testing even if they don't have symptoms.
Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health, said experimental research detected COVID-19 in Wolfville's wastewater.
"Although it is not definitive, it could be a sign that COVID-19 has found its way into that community," he said in the news release.
The province is operating pop-up COVID-19 rapid testing clinics Monday in Wolfville and Halifax.
The Wolfville tests will be done at 117 Front Street between 1:30-8 p.m. The Halifax testing site will be at the YMCA at 2269 Gottingen Street from 1:30-8 p.m. Lineups could stretch outside, so people are encouraged to wear warm clothing.
The rapid test clinics will test anyone over the age of 16 who has no symptoms of COVID-19, has not travelled recently, and has had no contact with someone known to have COVID-19. The two clinics won't test people who have been at an exposure site, or those who work in the hospitality industry.
The Department of Health and Wellness said people who work in bars or restaurants should not go to pop-up sites, but instead book a test online at 811.novascotia.ca.
Nova Scotia started using pop-up clinics to test for COVID-19 last week.
7 health-care workers test positive
Nova Scotia Health has resumed releasing the number of staff who have tested positive for COVID-19.
As of Monday, seven health-care workers have tested positive in the province. There are six active cases and one resolved case.
Public Health says 29 health-care workers are in isolation "as a result of moderate to high-risk staff-to-staff contact in the workplace."
There haven't been any patient-to-staff risks identified at this time.
COVID cases in the Atlantic provinces
The latest numbers from the Atlantic provinces on Monday are:
- New Brunswick reported six new cases for a total of 120 active cases.
- Newfoundland and Labrador reported one new case and has 36 active cases. Effective Wednesday, anyone arriving in the province from within the Maritimes will have to self-isolate for 14 days.
- P.E.I. reported no new cases and has four active cases. As of Tuesday, anyone travelling to P.E.I. from other Atlantic provinces will have to quarantine for two weeks.
Symptoms
Anyone with one of the following symptoms should visit the COVID-19 self-assessment website or call 811:
- Fever.
- Cough or worsening of a previous cough.
Anyone with two or more of the following symptoms is also asked to visit the website or call 811:
- Sore throat.
- Headache.
- Shortness of breath.
- Runny nose.
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