Nova Scotia reports youngest COVID-19 death, 25 new cases

Nova Scotia reported 25 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday and one new death.

Premier Iain Rankin told reporters following a cabinet meeting that the latest death was a man in his 30s, which is the youngest person to die of the virus in Nova Scotia. The man lived in the central zone. He was not vaccinated.

A total of 88Nova Scotians have now died from COVID-19. The average age of those people is 79.

Rankin said 22 of thenew cases had close contact with a known case. Nova Scotia now has 273 active cases and22 people in hospital, including 9in intensive care.

Rankin said 15 of the new cases are in the central zone, eight in the eastern zone and two in the northern zone.

Labs did5,235tests Wednesday.

Keep social circle consistent, says premier

Rankin said he was one of the people enjoying the reopened bar patios Wednesday,but reminded people to keep their social circles small.

"Please try to keep your group of 10 as consistent as possible," he said. "And find the time to get tested."

Rankin said changes are coming for rotational workers. He said it's "unreasonable" to requirea 14-day quarantine for double-vaccinated rotational workers. He said the government is working on a plan to change the mandatory two-week isolation period for those people.

"We're on the mend. We're on the final stages hopefully of this third wave," he said.

Now booking for 2nd doses

The province also announced Thursday thatNova Scotians who got their first dose of aCOVID-19 vaccine between March 11 and 21 can now make an earlier booking for a second dose.

Anyone set to get a second dose between June 24 and July 3 can reschedule. They should get an email notice, or they can call 1-833-797-7772.

The change affects about 8,600 people.

Nova Scotia's health authority said people can pick a time and date at any clinic in the province with an open spot.

People who still need their first dose can book it online or by calling 1-833-797-7772.

The province reported 17 new cases Wednesday as the province started to reopen.

Atlantic Canada case numbers

• New Brunswickreported 16new casesThursday and one death, the 44th for the province. New Brunswick has 146active cases.
• Newfoundland and Labradorreported six new cases on Thursday for90active cases. There are twopeople in hospital with COVID-19.
• P.E.I.reported twonew cases Thursday and has six active cases.

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