1 new case of COVID-19 reported in N.S. Tuesday, easing of long-term care restrictions underway

Nova Scotia reported one new case of COVID-19 on Tuesday, which was identified the day prior.

The province said the new case is in its western zone and is related to travel outside of Canada. It is being investigated by health officials.

The Nova Scotia Health Authority’s labs completed 681 Nova Scotia tests on Sept. 21.

The province also reported that further easing of restrictions in long-term care will take place, allowing residents to enjoy off-site day visits with family in their homes.

According to health officials, off-site visits must be pre-arranged with the facility, which will maintain a record of trips.

Residents will not be required to self-isolate upon return as long as they follow key public health measures like wearing a medical mask when required, maintaining physical distance, respecting gathering limits, washing their hands frequently and ensuring the environment they’re in is clean.

Other details include:

• The person accompanying the resident must be screened, showing no symptoms of COVID-19, and agree to follow all public health measures.
• Those who have close contact with the resident during the visit (less than two metres or six feet apart), including the person accompanying the resident, must wear a non-medical mask.
• The resident must not come into contact with someone who is required to self-isolate.
• Overnight visits or visits outside the Atlantic bubble are not permitted.
• Upon return to the facility, staff will review the outing with the resident and support person.

The province said individual long-term care homes will work to implement these changes as early as Sept. 28.

To date, Nova Scotia has had 88,459 negative test results, 1,087 positive cases of the coronavirus and 65 deaths.

According to the province, one person is currently hospitalized in an intensive care unit.

As of Tuesday, 1,021 cases are considered resolved.