Nova Scotia reported three new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday.
Two of the new cases are in the central zone, one of which is related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada and the other is a close contact of a previously reported case. The third case is in the western zone and is related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada.
The province says 24 cases remain active.
Since Oct. 1, Nova Scotia said it has completed 307,642 tests. There have been 630 positive COVID-19 cases and one death. One person is currently in hospital with the virus.
Chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang said in a Thursday briefing that Nova Scotia’s epidemiology “remains low and stable.”
“That is good news given what is happening in a number of provinces across the country,” said Strang.
He said while several variant cases have popped up recently, the province has been fortunate to not have any community spread of the variant cases to date.
“We did organize a temporary testing site and increased capacity at local primary assessment centres in response to recent variant cases in Lower Sackville and King’s Wharf apartment complex in Dartmouth.”
Strang said the goal is to ensure public health isn’t missing any cases.
“I thank people who have heard our call for testing and have come out, our testing sites have been busy.”
He said while testing has significantly increased, the number of positive cases has not.
According to the province, 106,623 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, and 28,552 Nova Scotians have received their second dose.
Vaccine appointments open to those over 70
Starting Thursday, Nova Scotians over the age of 70 can book appointments for a COVID-19 vaccine at community clinics and some pharmacies across the province. Public health is offering Moderna or Pfizer vaccine for this age range.
Strang also said that Thursday is the last day that clinics are administering the initial AstraZeneca doses received by the province.
“Appointments were fully booked for the initial 13,000 doses of this vaccine, and I hope this continues as we get more of the AstraZeneca vaccine available,” he said.
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Another shipment of 38,800 doses is scheduled to arrive to Nova Scotia next week.
As of next Tuesday, individuals aged 55-64 will be eligible to book appointments for the AstraZeneca vaccine.
“I do understand that people have concerns over AstraZeneca vaccine based on what they’re hearing in the media, but I want to assure Nova Scotians that if we didn’t think this vaccine was safe… it would not be a part of our vaccine program.”
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization called an immediate pause on the use of the vaccine on individuals under the age of 55.
Strang reiterated comments on the vaccine from Tuesday’s COVID-19 briefing, saying “this change does not mean that the AstraZeneca vaccine isn’t safe or that it isn’t a good vaccine.”
“Anyone 55 or over can still get this vaccine if given the choice, as the benefits of getting the AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh the increased risk of COVID-19 in older adults,” he said on Tuesday.
In the Thursday briefing he also reminded Nova Scotians that even those who have been vaccinated must continue to follow public health guidelines, such as wearing a mask.
“I’m hearing reports of people out and about without a mask because they’ve gotten the vaccine,” Strang said.
“We still don’t have definitive information that would say you don’t have the chance to be asymptomatic and transmitting the virus after you’ve been vaccinated.”
He said until enough people are vaccinated and public health has more information, it’s important to follow these rules.
Strang, who is older than 60, said in the briefing he will be signing up to get immunized as a health-care worker, and not take up one of the AstraZeneca appointments.
He said there are 155,000 people in the 55-64 age group in the province. Even with the new doses, there is only enough AstraZeneca for 25 per cent of that demographic.
“I’m very happy to let the vaccine go to those, and not take up one of those spots,” he said.
“If I take one of those (AstraZeneca doses) when I have another option, there’s somebody in that age group who can’t get a vaccine, so I’m going to go a different route and leave all that vaccine for those who that is their only option for vaccine at this time.”
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