The AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine will soon be made available to Nova Scotians between the ages of 40 and 54.
In a news briefing Wednesday, Premier Iain Rankin said appointments for that COVID-19 vaccine will open up for that cohort “in the coming days. We’re hoping by Friday.”
“I know many of you have been asking for this and are anxious to get your shot,” said Rankin. “So we’re pleased to be able to add this group to our program.”
Dr. Robert Strang, the province’s chief medical officer of health, later told reporters the province is seeing “a lot of appointments being cancelled” for the AstraZeneca vaccine as some people opt to wait for another kind of vaccine. That’s part of the reason why AstraZeneca is being made available for the younger cohorts, he said.
The AstraZeneca vaccine has been linked to a number of blood clots, and Canada recently reported its first blood clot-related fatality on Tuesday.
However, Health Canada maintains the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweighs the risks and researchers have said there is a much higher risk of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), or brain blood clots, from a COVID-19 infection than there is from vaccines designed to protect against the disease.
Strang said the Health Department is working to ensure anyone who gets the vaccine will get clear information about its risks and benefits, as well as when they would be able to get another kind of vaccine.
“Ultimately, we want people to have clear information so they can make an informed choice about what type of vaccine they would get when they will get it,” he said.
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75 new cases
On Wednesday, the province announced 75 new cases of COVID-19, 21 fewer than the record-breaking 96 cases reported on Tuesday.
“It’s still high, but lower than yesterday. That’s a good thing,” said Rankin.
Dr. Strang noted that while the case count is lower today, it’s still only one day of data.
“It’s quite possible they may go back up again tomorrow,” he said. “What we want and what we’re looking for is a sustained downward trend.”
So far, 489 active cases remain in the province. Eleven people are in hospital, with three in intensive care.
READ MORE: Halifax police fine 2 men for not completing COVID-19 isolation orders
Of the new cases, 67 are in the central zone, six are in the eastern zone, one is in the northern zone and one is in the western zone.
In a release, the Department of Health and Wellness said the number of tests done on Tuesday isn’t available due to technical difficulties.
One of the new cases in the central zone involves a staff member at the Northwood nursing home in Halifax. While most residents have been fully vaccinated with two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, all residents are being isolated and cared for in their rooms and all residents, staff and care providers are being tested.
In a statement posted to its website, Northwood said the staff member had contacts on two floors and all residents on these floors have been swabbed and placed on isolation precautions. Contact tracing is being carried out for anyone who may have had close contact with this case. It also said the staff member was wearing full PPE at all times and most staff members have been vaccinated.
“We are taking full precautionary measures as directed by Public Health and will continue all of our robust infection prevention and control practices at this time, including a heightened focus on screening, hand hygiene, physical distancing, and mandatory masking and face shields in resident living areas,” the statement said.
During Wednesday’s conference, Strang declined to say if the infected staff member had been vaccinated, citing privacy reasons.
Another central zone case is a staff member at Quest Regional Rehabilitation Centre in Lower Sackville. All residents are being isolated and cared for in their rooms and all residents and staff are being tested. Like Northwood, most residents have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Gardening supplies added to list of essentials
On Tuesday, Rankin put the province in lockdown after health officials reported a record-breaking 96 new cases of COVID-19.
As of 8 a.m, all schools and non-essential indoor services will be closed for the next two weeks.
Strang said Wednesday that gardening supplies have now been added to the list of essential product types, “in recognition of the time of year, and the fact that we want people to be outside working in their gardens.
“That’s good for us, it’s good for our physical and mental health,” he said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also announced the military will deploy 60 service members to assist at the province’s COVID-19 testing centres.
One new school reports COVID-19 case
Nova Scotia reported one new school connected to a COVID-19 case on Tuesday evening.
Strait Area Education Recreation Centre (SAERC) in Port Hawkesbury is moving to at-home learning as of Wednesday, April 28, along with all public and private schools across the province. SAERC will undergo a deep cleaning.
The province said everyone who is a close contact will be notified, tested and asked to self-isolate for 14 days.
NSLCs reduce hours
In a tweet Wednesday morning, the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation said effective today, all NSLC stores will operate on reduced hours to accommodate enhanced cleaning.
The new hours of operation are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Stores will be closed on Sundays.
Those hours will be in effect until at least May 10.
“We appreciate your patience as we anticipate there will be line-ups, and ask you to visit your nearest store if shopping with us,” the NSLC said.
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