Nova Scotia health officials reported no new cases of the coronavirus on Friday.
The province says there are now eight known active cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia — the first time a single-digit number of active cases has been reported since Oct. 30.
Public Health completed 1,681 Nova Scotia tests for COVID-19 on Thursday. It also administered 686 asymptomatic rapid tests between Jan. 29- Feb. 4 at pop-up sites in Antigonish, Halifax and Truro.
There have been 495 positive COVID-19 cases and no deaths in the second wave of the pandemic in Nova Scotia. One individual is currently in intensive care with the virus.
Chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang will be joined by Premier Stephen McNeil on Friday, in what may be McNeil’s final COVID-19 briefing before he is replaced as premier this weekend.
The update will be livestreamed on the Global News website at 3 p.m.
“Nova Scotians can be proud of the work they’re doing to keep our case numbers low,” McNeil said in a Thursday press release.
“It shows people are taking the health of their fellow citizens seriously. I encourage everyone to continue following public health guidelines to keep the virus contained.”
Strang reminded residents to take advantage of Nova Scotia’s asymptomatic testing availabilities.
“I want to encourage everyone, especially people with a high number of contacts, to make asymptomatic testing part of their regular routine.
“Testing is one way to stop COVID-19 before it has a chance to spread,” Strang said Thursday.
Asymptomatic rapid testing for COVID-19 will be available at two Nova Scotia locations in the coming days. Sites include:
- Amherst Centre (142 South Albion St.), on Feb. 5 at 1 – 7 p.m., and Feb. 6 at 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Cole Harbour Place (51 Forest Hills Pkwy.), on Feb. 7 at 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Feb. 8 at 12 – 7:30 p.m.