Some residents living at a long-term care facility in Halifax are being transferred to a local hotel after five died from the novel coronavirus.
The Nova Scotia government announced Sunday that two more residents at Northwood Manor in Halifax died from COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths at Northwood to five.
The three other deaths at the facility occurred on Friday.
“I am so sorry for your loss,” Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil said at a press briefing Sunday.
“I can’t imagine how difficult that is, and my heart goes out to all of you who are trying to find a way to honour your loved ones and say goodbye in this unprecedented time.”
READ MORE: Number of coronavirus cases rises at Halifax’s Northwood Manor to 115
There are at least 115 positive cases of COVID-19 at Northwood. According to the facility, 80 residents and 35 staff have tested positive as of Saturday morning.
McNeil said an emergency plan is being implemented at the facility, which includes moving residents who have recovered from COVID-19 to a nearby hotel.
The premier said the first resident was moved to the hotel Sunday morning by ambulance.
“I’m told that the family was there to wave as their mom moved in,” McNeil said, adding that more residents are expected to be moved throughout the week.
An area of the facility has been designated for COVID-19 patients in recovery. But chief public health officer Dr. Robert Strang says as the disease spread, the designated unit reached capacity.
That’s resulted in some residents with confirmed cases living in the same wards as those who haven’t.
“They have isolated them as much as possible,” Strang said. “They’re making sure that resident movements are limited.”
Those with COVID-19 will continued to be treated on site, McNeil confirmed. Northwood will also continue to conduct its own testing.
Another part of the emergency plan is to redeploy the Halifax Infirmary’s COVID-19 team to Northwood, effective Sunday night, which will bring 40 additional Nova Scotia Health Authority employees to the site.
“Our health authority has joined forces with the team at Northwood to support this emergency response,” McNeil said.
“I want to thank all health-care workers and everyone else volunteering to support Northwood during this critical time.”
26 new cases, 675 total
The province also announced 26 new cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia, bringing the provincial total to 675.
All 26 cases were identified in Nova Scotia’s central zone.
There have now been 200 recoveries and 21,120 negative tests.
There are currently 11 patients in hospital, four of whom are in an intensive care unit.
READ MORE: 4th death connected to COVID-19 reported in Nova Scotia, state of emergency extended
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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