N.S. reports 2 deaths, 59 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday

Nova Scotia reported two deaths and 59new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, bringing the active caseload in the province to 171.

One of the deaths was a man in his 60s who was a resident of theEast Cumberland Lodge long-term care home in Pugwash, which has beenthe site of an outbreak.That death will be reflectedon theprovincial COVID-19 dashboard Tuesday, said a news release from the provincial government.

The other death was a man in his 70s in the western zone who was not a resident of a long-term care home.

"I offer my condolences to those grieving," Premier Tim Houston said in a statement Monday.

"We must stay vigilant as the holiday season approaches to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our province. We can do this by getting vaccinated, following public health measures and not socializing if you are sick."

New cluster, limited community spread

Of the new cases, 38are in the northern zone and 21are in the central zone. The province said there is a new cluster of cases in a localized community in northern zone andevidence of limited community spread in Halifax.

Thirteen people are now in hospital with COVID-19, including fourin intensive care.

According to Monday's update, 81.3per cent of Nova Scotians have been double vaccinated and18,800 eligible Nova Scotians have received a third dose.

Vaccinations for children

Vaccine bookings for children aged five to 11 opened Nov. 26, with new appointments regularly being opened. Vaccinations are set to begin on Thursday.

According to the province, 20,548 pediatric vaccine appointments had been booked as of Monday morning.

Over the past three days, nine schools have received exposure notifications, includingNorth River Elementary School, Astral Drive Junior High, Duc d'Anville Elementary, Northumberland Regional High School, Valley Elementary School, Redcliff Middle School, Spring Street Academy, Charles P. Allen High andClayton Park Junior High.

The province maintains a list of school exposures here.

On Wednesday, Nova Scotia Health's public health mobile unit will on site at DucD'Anville Elementary to offer free PCR testing for all ages between 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. PCR swish and gargle tests will be offered to people ages four to 18.

The testing there is free and available to anyone in thecommunity.

Atlantic Canada case numbers

• New Brunswickreported one death and 46 new cases Monday. The province has 706 active cases, with 64 peoplein hospital, including 17in intensive care.
• Newfoundland and Labradorreported nine new casesMonday. The province has 21active cases andone person is in hospital.
• Prince Edward Islandreported five new cases Sunday. The province has 35active cases.