Possible COVID-19 exposures at 4 Halifax sites

Tests can be scheduled for all primary assessment centers in the province and for the IWK Health Center. The Swish, Gargle and Spit test is now also available for children at all primary testing sites.

“Our message to all New Scots is that if they feel unwell, go online and do the assessment online,” said Dr Robert Strang, Nova Scotia Medical Director.

The province said there have been four possible new COVID-19 exposures in Halifax:

• Cheap shoe shop Bar and restaurant on Argyle St. on November 8 between 8:30 PM and 11:00 PM Anyone at the bar during this time should monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. Anyone exposed to the virus here is expected to develop symptoms up to and including November 22.
• John W. Lindsay YMCA gym at 5640 Sackville St. on November 9-10 between 6am and 8am. Anyone who was in the gym section of the facility during this time should monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. Anyone exposed to the virus here is expected to develop symptoms up to and including November 24.
• The Local Restaurant and Bar to 2037 Gottingen St. on November 9 between 16:00 to close. Anyone at the bar during this time should monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, which can develop as late as November 23.
• Tim Hortons to 36 Verdi Dr., Bedford Commons, Bedford on November 12, 6:30 am to 8:00 am Anyone at this point during this period should monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, which can develop until November 26.

2 new cases; total assets of 19

Two new cases of COVID-19 were also reported on Friday in Nova Scotia, bringing the total number of active cases to 19.

A new case occurred in the northern area and involved voyages outside Atlantic Canada. That person self-isolated.

The other case was in the central area and remained under investigation, according to a press release. The province said there was no connection to the Clayton Park cluster.

Strang said he “felt less anxious” about the Clayton Park cluster, where there were 11 cases. There have been no new cases associated with that area since Tuesday.

He also said the province has decided not to open a test site in Bayers Lake to address those cases because it is no longer considered necessary.

Strang said the New Scots must try to decrease their social contacts over the next six to eight weeks in an effort to keep the number of cases low.

“We all have to think about how many people we are in contact today?” Strang said.

“Here in Nova Scotia it’s not about flattening the curve, it’s actually being ahead of the curve, so we don’t need to flatten it. It’s a preventative measure for us.”

He also said that a contact person has been set up to work with the guidelines in the continuing care center, seeking to carry out periodic testing of long-term care personnel.

More on the rules of Christmas

As the Christmas holidays approach, Strang said public health is working with students, the restaurant industry and businesses to help prevent the spread of the virus.

He said more details and clear guidance on how businesses can operate safely will come soon, adding that shopping malls will need to figure out how to handle the growing number of people and stick to public health rules.

“Ultimately it is the responsibility of the Nova Scotians. If you go to a mall, what are you doing to make sure you are physically remote? What are you doing to make sure that, unless you have a valid reason, you wear a mask and wear it correctly? “

Strang said any student who leaves the Atlantic bubble will have to isolate themselves for 14 days, but they have worked with education colleagues to support them.

Any student outside the bubble who wants to return for Christmas will also have to quarantine, but Strang said they should seriously consider not returning for the holidays.

He said that however difficult it may be, the best choice would be for them to stay where they are studying.

Strang said they also made sure international students who don’t have health insurance can be tested for COVID-19 for free.

“Our collective fate for COVID is in our hands,” Strang said.

The Nova Scotia health authority completed 1,260 tests on Thursday.

On Thursday afternoon, the province sent out a warning about potential COVID-19 exposure Atlantic Superstore in Halifax.

Anyone who was at the Barrington Street store between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. on November 7 should monitor for COVID symptoms themselves.

Atlantic bubble

Overall, Nova Scotia recorded 1,136 positive cases and 65 deaths related to the virus.

The latest numbers of the Atlantic bubble are:

• New Brunswick reported two new cases on Friday. It has 14 active cases. Asymptomatic workers in nursing homes and adult residential facilities can now apply for a COVID-19 test online once every two weeks
• Newfoundland and Labrador reported a new case on Friday related to the trip. It has six active cases.
• The IEP reported a new case on Wednesday. The province has four active cases.

Symptoms

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

• Temperature.
• Cough 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.