Nova Scotia is confirming 40 Omicron variant cases of COVID-19 on Monday, as the province announces 114 new cases amid a growing outbreak that began at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish.
The variant cases were confirmed by the National Microbiology Lab and were previously reported.
“The Omicron variant has arrived in the region,” said Premier Tim Houston during a briefing with media.
“Here we are entering the second Christmas of the pandemic and the numbers are the highest since the third wave.”
Houston said the past 10 days have shown that the virus – specifically, the Omicron variant – spreads incredibly fast.
He added that so far, cases related to the St. FX outbreak have been “relatively mild.”
“We know the incubation period seems much shorter with symptoms showing up and tests being positive within just two to three days of exposure,” he said.
“We need to slow the spread of the variant down.”
The school’s president and vice-chancellor, Andy Hakin, has since revealed he too has tested positive for COVID-19. He also apologized last week for the university’s role in the growing outbreak, which has been attributed to their X-ring graduation ceremony and social events.
St. FX said 125 students are isolating, while Dalhousie University in Halifax is also experiencing an outbreak with 13 confirmed cases and 32 presumptive cases using rapid testing. Dalhousie has opted to end in-person exams as of Monday “with a few limited exceptions.”
Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health, said Nova Scotians should expect to see high case numbers for the days to come. He added the St. FX outbreak has already been linked to cases in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
“There is no need to panic, but there is a need to be cautious,” he said.
He said masking, gathering limits and physical distancing restrictions will need to be tightened as an “interim step” while they monitor the situation. He said while the goal is to have the fewest amount of restrictions for the shortest period of time, the province doesn’t want the variant to spread to vulnerable populations.
There is also an outbreak at Parkland Antigonish, a seniors living community. Two residents and two staff members from the retirement home have tested positive and one staff member from Mary’s Court, the licensed long-term care neighbourhood, has tested positive.
“What worked in the past will work again, that means people using common sense, but it also requires some government guidance,” said Houston.
“Together we will get things back under control, I have no doubt about that.”
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Houston added that schools will remain open for now, unless there is a public health reason for certain schools to close. Over the past three days, 17 schools were notified of an exposure or exposures.
He said the province will “continue to monitor throughout the week” but other than that, schools will “continue as planned.”
As of Tuesday, the following enhanced public health measures will be in place until the holiday break next week:
- school sports are limited to team skills training only
- no assemblies and no holiday concerts
- no mixing of classes, including a pause on activities like Reading Buddies
- essential visitors only in schools
- masks are required indoors and outdoors where physical distancing cannot be maintained
- limited access to cafeteria
Both Houston and Strang stressed the importance of vaccination — urging those who are eligible to book their appointments for boosters and for parents to book vaccinations for children aged five through 11, who recently became eligible for their first doses.
Specifically, Strang said it is due to vaccines that “we can be perhaps not as accurately worried,” yet remain vigilant.
“We still have a lot of work to do around people five to 11 years old getting vaccinated, people who need booster doses because of age, people who are immune compromised and need a third dose,” he said.
“Those are the things we have to focus on over the next few weeks and we’ll learn more in January. We’ll understand more about this variant and what is necessary moving forward in the new year.”
New restrictions as of Friday
Meanwhile, as of Friday, physical distancing, masking restrictions and gathering limits are being brought back.
“The timing is horrible but let’s not blame one another and point fingers. It won’t do us any good,” said Strang, in reference to the upcoming holiday season.
“Omicron is here and we have to adjust.”
The restrictions are (as listed by the province):
Physical distance and mask requirements
- physical distance of two metres (six feet) is required indoors and outdoors, except among people in the same household or a consistent social group of up to 20 people –places like fitness and recreation facilities, retail businesses, malls, museums, libraries and personal services like hair salons can operate at the maximum capacity possible with physical distancing
- food establishments and liquor-licensed establishments must have physical distance between tables and a limit of 20 people per table
- people must be seated to remove their mask for eating or drinking; all other mask requirements for indoor public places remain, including wearing them when seated for other activities
- masks are required in areas of workplaces where physical distance cannot be achieved, as well as common areas, areas where people are serving the public and areas with poor ventilation
- individuals, businesses and organizations all have responsibility for ensuring mask requirements are followed and can all be subject to enforcement action
Gathering limits
- indoor and outdoor informal gatherings, typically at home, are limited to 20 people from the same household or consistent social group; physical distance and proof of full vaccination are not required; masks are not required except in indoor public places
- gathering limits of 50 per cent of capacity to a maximum of 150 people indoors and 250 outdoors apply to social gatherings, regular faith services, weddings, funerals and their associated receptions and visitation, special events, meetings, training, festivals, and audiences for sports events and arts and culture events (like performances and movie theatres) that are hosted by a recognized business or organization, including faith organizations
- a limit of 60 participants indoors and outdoors applies to sports practices, games, and regular league play; tournaments are not allowed; physical distance is not required, and masks are recommended when possible indoors and outdoors
- a limit of 60 participants indoors and outdoors applies to professional and amateur arts and culture rehearsals and performances; competitions are not allowed; professionals must have a plan for their workplace; physical distance is not required, and masks are recommended when possible indoors and outdoors
- children age 11 and younger continue to be restricted from entering Nova Scotia to participate in sports and arts and culture events and from participating in them outside Nova Scotia
- specific organizational plans will be considered for large venues such as Scotiabank Centre, Halifax Exhibition Centre and Halifax Convention Centre
Long-term care
- a limit of two visitors at a time with long-term care residents; it does not have to be the same two visitors each time
- it is strongly recommended that visitors have a rapid test within 24 hours of the visit
- visitors can have quick close contact like a hug but then need to stay physically distanced for the rest of the visit
- the requirement for visitors to wear masks and be fully vaccinated, except for end-of-life visits, remains
- residents can only leave the facility for overnight visits if they are fully vaccinated and it is strongly recommended that they have their booster dose as well
On Wednesday, the province further expanded the restrictions to include:
- masks are required indoors at public schools where physical distancing cannot be maintained; masks are not required outdoors
- spectators at sports games or arts and culture performances cannot eat or drink in the main seating area of the recreation facility or event venue; people must go to a designated area for eating and drinking
- except for medical appointments, residents in long-term care can only leave the facility if they are fully vaccinated, and it is strongly recommended that they have their booster dose as well
- residents in Disability Support Program homes licensed under the Homes for Special Care Act have the same restrictions as residents in long-term care
Rapid tests kits more readily available
The province is making COVID-19 rapid test kits more easily available to Nova Scotians. People can now pick up kits, which are packaged with five tests, at public libraries across the province.
There are 400,000 tests available.
The tests can be used at home for people aged three and over. Anyone who receives a positive result from the rapid test will need to self-isolate and book a lab-based PCR test to confirm the result.
Rapid test kits can also be picked up from pop-up sites and mobile testing units.
Incoming travellers at the airports in Sydney and Halifax airports, and about 2,000 businesses and organizations in the province are providing rapid tests for employees.
More tests are also being handed out to children aged three to 11 through public and private schools, licensed and unlicensed child-care centres and family resource centres.
“While we stopped recommending general asymptomatic testing a while ago, we recognize it’s another way to keep gatherings safe over the holidays so we’re making rapid tests more widely available for the season,” said Strang, in a release.
“Doing a rapid test can add an extra layer of protection if you’re hosting or attending gatherings. Everyone should also get vaccinated, avoid travel, keep your social circle small, wear a mask where required or if you’re in close contact with people outside your circle, and stay home if you’re sick.”
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