As the number of active cases of coronavirus continues to dwindle in Nova Scotia, the provincial government is making it easier for families to see their loved ones in long-term care.
The provincial government announced Wednesday that there are no longer any active cases of COVID-19 among residents or staff at Northwood Manor in Halifax or any other long-term care homes in the province.
As a result, outdoor visits will be allowed to resume beginning on Monday.
“I know this is not exactly what you were hoping for,” Premier Stephen McNeil said during Wednesday’s press briefing.
“We know you’re craving that long-awaited hug, (but) we’re not there yet.”
READ MORE: Coronavirus: Nova Scotia still identifying cases of community spread, Strang confirms
Dr. Robert Strang, the province’s chief medical officer of health, said it’s important to take things one step at a time due to the vulnerability of long-term care homes becoming infected.
Strang said the visits can only happen in designated areas, which each facility will define. Only two people can visit a resident at once and the visitors must stay at least six feet apart.
Visitors will be screened and anyone who has symptoms will be turned away. They’ll also be asked to wear non-medical masks and will be monitored by staff.
“Anybody that’s sick in any way, feeling unwell, should not even consider going visiting even if you have a scheduled visit,” said Strang. “It’s just too risky.”
The date and time of every visit, as well as the contact information of the visitors, will all be tracked to assist with contract tracing should there be a new case.
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“This is the minimum set of requirements we’re putting forward … but individual facilities may put additional protocols on top of that,” he said.
“We’re respecting their wish if they want to go further and have increased levels of safety.”
Strang noted that all facilities may not be ready to get back to outdoor visits by Monday, so ultimately it will be up to each facility to determine when it will begin.
5 active cases in Nova Scotia
The province is now tracking the total number of known active cases in the province, which currently sits at five.
The new information comes after the province reconciled its data to ensure it comes from a single source – Panorama – Nova Scotia’s public health reporting system.
The update resulted in the total case count increasing from 1,060 to 1,061, which reflects a Nova Scotian who tested positive for the coronavirus but doesn’t live in the province and wasn’t tested locally.
“Because of the way we report things between provinces, they’re reflected in Nova Scotia numbers,” said Strang.
The “recovered” category has now been named “resolved,” which Strang said “more accurately accounts for all the COVID-19 cases whose investigations can now be considered completed and closed by public health.”
There are currently 994 resolved cases.
Another change is that the total breakdown of cases by location is now based on the Nova Scotia Health Authority zone of the infected person’s individual residence, not where their sample was collected for testing.
“That’s a more accurate representation of the geographic nature of where COVID-19 cases are occurring.”
Strang said no new cases of COVID-19 have been identified over the past 24 hours. Of the province’s five active cases, two are in hospital in an intensive care unit.
Strang to undergo skin cancer treatment
To conclude Wednesday’s briefing, Strang revealed he has a “minor type” of skin cancer and will undergo an operation in New Brunswick later this week.
“I need a relatively minor surgical procedure. I have a minor type of skin cancer which is diagnosed and only spreads locally,” said Strang.
“It’s been removed but I need another type of surgery that just can re-look at things and make sure the margins of where it was removed are clear.”
He said the type of surgery is not available in Nova Scotia, so he’ll travel to New Brunswick on Thursday and self-isolate upon returning.
“I’m no different than anybody else, I have to follow the rules of 14 days of isolation,” he said.
“Doesn’t mean I’m not going to be working. I’ll be working from home.”
READ MORE: Dr. Strang to undergo ‘minor’ skin cancer surgery in New Brunswick this week
Press briefings will not be held while Strang is in self-isolation, McNeil said. Daily news releases will continue to be issued.
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