Nova Scotia is reporting three more deaths connected to the novel coronavirus at Northwood Manor in Halifax and an additional four new cases at the facility.
There have now been 45 deaths connected to COVID-19 at Northwood out of a total of 51 deaths across the province.
“On behalf of all Nova Scotians, I offer my sincere condolences to those families who are grieving the loss of a loved one today,” said Premier Stephen McNeil in a statement.
“Northwood continues to receive all support possible from the province and our health system partners as we continue to slow the spread of this horrible virus.”
READ MORE: ‘We are in a long-term situation’: Strang urges caution despite decline in coronavirus cases
There are now 103 active cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia. Of those, at least 79 are in long-term care facilities.
New floor at Northwood infected
During Wednesday’s press briefing, Nova Scotia chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang confirmed another floor has a confirmed case of COVID-19.
Strang said other floors in that section have previously had confirmed cases.
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“They had a new case on that floor the other day, so what they’re doing is testing everybody on that manor floor,” Strang said.
There are now 64 active cases of COVID-19 among residents at Northwood and 13 among staff. On Tuesday, the province said there were 157 resident cases and eight staff.
Strang has said the discrepancy was the result of the province’s long-term care data coming from a different source and being on a different timeline.
He said public health has been working hard over the past 48 hours to ensure the long-term care data reflects the numbers being provided by the province.
Strang added the increase in staff cases was the result of five staff members being listed as recovered but were still sick.
Strang also confirmed that all five newly-identified cases over the past 48 hours had connections to Northwood.
Reopening the economy
Speaking at Wednesday’s press briefing, Premier McNeil said there’s been lots of questions and confusion over when the province will reopen the economy.
McNeil said Strang is still in the midst of explaining the guidelines and protocols to businesses, labour unions and associations.
“Those groups are then expected to work with their own members to help them figure out how they can operate under the public health protocols,” McNeil said. “We are here to answer any questions that they may have on what that might look like for them.”
When those consultations are complete and Strang has noticed progress on flattening the curve, McNeil says he will come back and advise government on his comfort level on reopening the economy.
“I am getting lots questions asking about a date,” McNeil continued. “I’ve been working with my ministers and will continue to work with our ministers.
“And while you don’t see any of them here today, let me assure you they are working each and every day on behalf of all Nova Scotians.”
502 tests Tuesday
The QEII Health Sciences Centre’s microbiology lab completed 502 Nova Scotia tests on Tuesday. The four new cases were identified in Nova Scotia’s central health zone.
Here is a breakdown of where cases have been identified in Nova Scotia by health zone:
- Central: 875
- Western: 54
- Northern: 44
- Eastern: 51
Sixty-two per cent of the cases involve female patients, while 38 per cent are male.
There are now a total of 34,604 negative test results.
Confirmed cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. Nine individuals are currently in hospital, four of those in intensive care.
Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:
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.
For full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, click here.
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