11 new cases of COVID-19 reported in NS, plus 1 in a Halifax high school



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Nova Scotia reported 11 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday.

Nine are in the central area, while the other two are in the northern area.

The cases in the northern area were announced Wednesday evening when Sipekne’katik First Nation leader Mike Sack confirmed two cases. This is the first time the virus has been detected in a First Nation in Atlantic Canada.

Nova Scotia labs completed 2,047 tests on Wednesday.

A positive case was also reported Thursday afternoon at Citadel High School in Halifax, according to a statement by principal Joe Morrison that was sent to parents on Thursday.

A person at Citadel High School tested positive for COVID-19. (Robert Short / CBC)

A public health statement confirmed the positive case and said exposure to the virus may have occurred on November 24, based on initial findings.

The school will be closed at least until December 8 to allow for contact tracing and cleaning. Meanwhile, students will learn from home.

The search for contacts is in progress. Public health will only contact people who are considered close contacts.

“We know you may be feeling anxious in the next few days. It is natural to want to know if your child may have been exposed to the virus,” Morrison said.

“Public health officials will inform those at risk of the next steps, but to protect the privacy of students and staff, other details, including names, will not be released.”

Parents of Citadel High students are asked to monitor their children for symptoms of COVID-19.

More recoveries than new positive cases

According to the numbers of the province, there have been 19 recoveries since Wednesday. There are 119 active cases in Nova Scotia.

“It is important to recognize that although the number of our cases is not as high as we expected, we continue to see new cases of COVID-19 every day,” said Dr Robert Strang, Nova Scotia Medical Director. in one version.

“This is no time to let your guard down. Please do your part to slow the spread of this virus by continuing to follow all public health measures and restrictions.”

The province said 338 tests were administered on Tuesday at a quick test pop-up site in Halifax and 148 tests at a similar site in Wolfville.

There were no positive tests at either site.

Since October 1, there have been 254 positive cases and no deaths, according to the release. No one is in the hospital because of the virus.

New tests available for ages 16-35

The walk-in COVID test is also available for people aged 16 to 35 without symptoms at the Zatzman Sportsplex in Dartmouth Thursday through Sunday.

Those in the age group are welcome if they have no symptoms, have not been to an exposure site identified by public health, or are not in close contact with a person with COVID-19.

The test method will be the standard swab, not the rapid test.

Dr Jennifer Cram, chief medical officer of health, said public health is particularly interested in seeing those who may have been to parties or meetings in the past two weeks or anyone with a large number of social contacts.

“The intention is to leverage our available testing capability to do everything possible to identify COVID in the community,” Cram said.

People who come for tests will not need to self-isolate while waiting for the test results.

The test is available from 11:00 to 21:30 every day.

COVID cases in the Atlantic provinces

The latest numbers of the Atlantic provinces are:

  • Newfoundland and Labrador reported no new cases on Thursday and have 29 active cases.
  • New Brunswick reported six new cases Thursday and has 111 active cases.
  • PEI reported no new cases on Tuesday and has four active cases. The province announced Thursday that it will not re-enter a bubble deal with other Atlantic provinces until at least December 21.

Symptoms

Anyone with any of the following symptoms should visit the COVID-19 self-report website or call 811:

  • Temperature.
  • Coughing or worsening of a previous cough.

Anyone who has two or more of the following symptoms is also encouraged to visit the website or call 811:

  • Burning throat.
  • Headache.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Rhinorrhea.
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