Nova Scotia reports one COVID-19 related death, 56 new cases Tuesday

N.S. faith gathering sparks new COVID-19 cluster A cluster of COVID-19 cases in Cumberland County started at a faith gathering and spread to a long-term care home. Heidi Petracek reports.

HALIFAX — Health officials in Nova Scotia are reporting the province's 102nd COVID-19 related death, along with 56 new cases and 29 recoveries on Tuesday, as the number of active cases rises to 281.

According to the province, a man in his 80s in the Eastern zone has died.

"It pains me greatly to know that another family is mourning the loss of a loved one because of COVID-19," said Premier Tim Houston. "We all need to do our part and get vaccinated, and we need to follow the rules. If we're sick, we stay home. If we aren't vaccinated, we respect the proof of vaccine policy and we don't participate in activities that aren't essential. This is how we protect ourselves and one another."

"There is community spread in Northern and Western zones, primarily related to ongoing transmission from a faith-based gathering that occurred in late October," says the province in a release. "This includes secondary transmission to other faith-based gatherings, workplaces and to East Cumberland Lodge, a long-term care home in Pugwash."

Health officials say 13 more residents and one additional staff member at East Cumberland Lodge have tested positive for COVID-19. The province says some of these cases will be reflected in Wednesday's case numbers.

A total of 17 residents and two staff members at the home have now tested positive, and one resident is in hospital. Public Health says they are working with the facility to prevent further spread, and have implemented increased public health measures and restrictions.

COVID-19 CASE DATA

Nova Scotia Health Authority's labs completed 2,666 tests on Monday. A total of 1,336,176 COVID-19 tests have been processed since the start of the pandemic.

According to the province's online COVID-19 dashboard, there have been 7,717 cumulative COVID-19 cases in Nova Scotia. Of those, 7,334 people have recovered and 102 have died due to COVID-19.

There are currently 10 people in hospital in Nova Scotia due to COVID-19, with two in intensive care units.

Since Aug. 1, there have been 1,821 positive COVID-19 cases and eight deaths. Of the new cases since Aug. 1, 1,532 are now considered resolved.

There are cases confirmed across the province, but most have been identified in the Central zone, which contains the Halifax Regional Municipality.

The provincial government says cumulative cases by zone may change as data is updated in Panorama, the province’s electronic information system.

The numbers reflect where a person lives and not where their sample was collected.

EXPOSURE NOTICE FOR FOUR SCHOOLS

Health officials also sent exposure notices for four schools in the province on Monday.

The latest school exposures are at Newcombville Elementary School on the province’s South Shore, Rocky Lake Junior High in Bedford and Grosvenor-Wentworth Park Elementary and Burton Ettinger Elementary in Halifax.

“It is important to note that an exposure associated with a school does not mean there is spread within the school or that the initial case was first exposed to the virus in the school. As always, all staff, parents and guardians are notified of exposures if a positive case (student, teacher or staff) was at the school while infectious,” said N.S. Health in a release.

A list of schools with exposures is available online.

VACCINE UPDATE

The province's COVID-19 online dashboard provides an update on the number of vaccines that have been administered to date.

As of Tuesday, 1,588,158 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 769,498 Nova Scotians have received their second dose, and 5,848 eligible Nova Scotians have received a third dose.

In total, 83.4 per cent of the province's overall population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while 78.9 per cent of Nova Scotians have received their second dose.

The province says it has received a total of 1,661,340 doses of COVID-19 vaccine since Dec. 15, 2020.

All Nova Scotians are encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as they are eligible. COVID-19 vaccination appointments can be made online or by phone at 1-833-797-7772.

LIST OF SYMPTOMS

Anyone who experiences a fever or new or worsening cough, or two or more of the following new or worsening symptoms, is encouraged to take an online test or call 811 to determine if they need to be tested for COVID-19: