A resident at a long-term care facility in Dartmouth was Nova Scotia’s third death connected to the novel coronavirus.
In a statement on its website Monday, Admiral Long Term Care Centre said the resident died peacefully in the home’s COVID-19 isolation unit.
“We offer our sincerest condolences to the resident’s family and friends,” Admiral said. “You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
READ MORE: Coronavirus: Third death recorded in Nova Scotia as case total hits 474
On Monday, the province announced that a man in his 80s from the Halifax Regional Municipality was the third person in Nova Scotia to die from COVID-19.
“On behalf of all Nova Scotians, I want to express our deepest sympathies and condolences,” Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil said at a press briefing Monday. “I want you know that we as a province are grieving with you.”
The province announced two deaths related to COVID-19 last week at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, a woman in her 70s and another in her 90s.
Admiral said an additional employee has tested positive for COVID-19, pushing the number of workers at the centre who have been infected to 10.
Nursing homes in Nova Scotia are seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases.
Halifax’s Northwood facility reported 16 residents have tested positive on Monday, double the number reported the previous day.
READ MORE: As large East Coast nursing home faces growing outbreak, staffing concerns rise
Northwood says 10 staff members have also tested positive for the virus, but notes it has 1,800 employees to ensure adequate care.
Residents at Ocean View Continuing Care Centre in Dartmouth and The Magnolia in Enfield, and Shannex’s Harbourstone Enhanced Care and Maplestone Enhanced Care have tested positive.
New directives were put in place at Nova Scotia long-term care homes last week. All staff and residents must now be screened at least once a day, or twice if they’re able. New admissions to a facility also require a health screening.
READ MORE: Long-term care directives announced as Nova Scotia nears 300 COVID-19 cases
The province announced 29 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, bringing the provincial total to 474.
There are now nine patients in hospital, with four in an intensive care unit.
As of the time of publication, Nova Scotia has 15,580 negative test results.
Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:
Health officials caution against all international travel. Returning travellers are legally obligated to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning March 26, in case they develop symptoms and to prevent spreading the virus to others. Some provinces and territories have also implemented additional recommendations or enforcement measures to ensure those returning to the area self-isolate.
Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing — very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities.
To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out.
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