Although Nova Scotia’s COVID-19 numbers have declined over the last few days, a huge backlog of tests means the province’s case count is likely much higher, according to the province’s chief medical officer of health.
The province announced 67 new cases of the virus on Friday, down from the 70 cases reported on Thursday, the 75 cases reported on Wednesday, and the record total of 96 on Tuesday.
But in a news briefing Friday afternoon, Dr. Robert Strang said about 45,000 tests have yet to be processed and labs are about three days behind.
“This is not a reflection on how hard people are working. They are working around the clock,” he said.
“We know there will be positive cases in this backlog and we need to be prepared for substantially higher case numbers over the next few days.”
So far, the province has 589 active cases.
Out of the new cases, 57 are in the central zone, three are in the eastern zone, three are in the northern zone and four in the western zone.
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Strang said the province is implementing short-term changes in its testing program so the volume of people getting tests done can match what the labs and Public Health can do.
A ‘serious outbreak situation’
Over the next few days, testing appointments at primary assessment centres can only be booked by people who have symptoms, are a close contact of another case, have been to an exposure site or have travelled outside of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador or Prince Edward Island.
He is asking anyone who is not in one of those groups to cancel their appointments. He said people can still get a rapid test at a pop-up site, and the province is working to get more rapid testing sites in communities outside of Halifax.
“We are in a serious outbreak situation. We are seeing the stresses on many parts of our health-care system such as Public Health, the lab, and we’re beginning to see impacts on our hospitals,” said Strang, noting that the province has seen a “substantial” increase in hospitalizations and they expect that to continue.
Twenty-two people are currently in hospital with COVID-19, including five in intensive care.
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Strang said in the coming days the province is looking at having service reductions to free up beds and resources to accommodate for new COVID-19 patients.
“Do not panic. Be patient. Stay calm, and stay home,” said Strang.
More young people testing positive
During the first wave of the pandemic, the majority of COVID-19 cases were in older Nova Scotians.
But on Friday, Strang said the majority of active cases are in people under the age of 30, and there is almost an equivalent number of 30 to 50-year-olds.
It’s similar to what other provinces are seeing across the country, said Strang.
“While the younger age groups are at less risk of severe illness, we are seeing severe outcomes in these age groups across the country,” he said. “We cannot be complacent simply because of the shift in age.”
Strang said he was concerned about the COVID-19 variants and the province is treating each new case as if it’s a variant case. He said Nova Scotia is predominantly seeing the variant first identified in the U.K., but the province is seeing other variants as well.
“This variant does not discriminate,” said Premier Iain Rankin during the news conference.
“It is reaching every community, every age cohort, so it is super important that we follow those protocols, we stick to the basics of wearing your masks, continuing to keep your distance, washing hands.”
COVID-19 vaccine
As of Friday, Nova Scotia announced people aged 40 to 54 can book appointments for the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
A spokesperson for the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia said appointments for the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in the HRM have all been booked as of Friday morning.
“There are more going to be uploaded throughout today. Spots that went unfilled in the last couple of weeks are being added to the system today,” said Amy Wagg, director of communications, in an email to Global.
According to the province, AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine appointments remain open to people 55 to 64 years old.
In the meantime, appointments for Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines at clinics across the province are open to people aged 55 and older.
During Friday’s briefing, Strang said the province is seeing excellent uptake for COVID-19 vaccinations in older age groups, with more than 80 per cent of people over the age of 70 receiving at least one dose, and people in the 65 to 69 age group are “quickly catching up.”
He said the province is working to open the vaccines up to younger Nova Scotians and said it’s “critically important” that we see the same type of uptake among the other age groups as well.
“We need to maintain this high coverage rate to build the strongest level of protection against COVID across our population.”
Currently, 33 per cent of eligible Nova Scotians have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and all Nova Scotians should have an opportunity to get their shot within the next six to eight weeks.
In the meantime, Strang said it’s important that everyone continues to adhere to Public Health measures while they wait for their vaccines.
“I’m not trying to scare people, but I need to be blunt: this situation is very serious. The most serious we’ve been in throughout the pandemic,” he said.
“The closure of restaurants, bars, gyms and many other places where people gather is necessary. All of us following restrictions, and going beyond those restrictions, even, is absolutely necessary.
“We cannot vaccinate our way out of this immediate problem. The only quick and effective solution is Public Health restrictions and border measures that we put in place.”
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