Three presumptive COVID-19 cases in Nova Scotia

Three presumptive COVID-19 cases in Nova Scotia Nova Scotia health officials say three presumptive cases of COVID-19 are all related to travel, and the individuals are in self-isolation.

HALIFAX — Three presumptive cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia have been reported by the provincial government.

Health officials say the three cases are all related to travel, and the individuals are in self-isolation.

Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Robert Strang, says the three patients include a woman in her 60s from King’s County who travelled to Australia, a man in his 50s from the Halifax Regional Municipality who travelled in the United States and a man in his 30s, also from the Halifax Regional Municipality, who travelled through Europe.

Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed, deputy chief medical officer of health, says the three patients are recovering at home.

She added so far, their families are in good health.

The patients returned to Nova Scotia on March 8, 10 and 13.

Premier Stephen McNeil says all schools in Nova Scotia will close for at least two weeks after March break, and regulated child care centres will close from March 17 to April 3. Both closures will be reassessed.

McNeil added public health inspectors will be set up at airports, and anyone returning from outside of Canada must self-isolate for 14 days.

During Sunday afternoon’s press conference, McNeil said Casino Nova Scotia in Halifax and Sydney will close at midnight for an undetermined amount of time.

Bars and restaurants throughout the province are directed to practice social distancing and to keep tables at a distance of two meters or six feet, adding the importance of rearranging tables and seating to meet guidelines.

Dr. Strang stressed the importance of minimizing the spread of the virus, by staying home if you’re unwell and washing your hands.

The province says a presumptive case means the QEII Health Sciences Centre’s Microbiology Lab found a positive test result.

Once a positive result is discovered, the test is sent to the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg for confirmation.

So far, 415 negative cases in Nova Scotia were confirmed by either the QEII Health Sciences Centre’s Microbiology Lab or the National Microbiology Lab.

Stay tuned to CTV News Channel and CTV News Atlantic at Six for updates.