Nova Scotia reports no new cases of COVID-19 on Monday

With no new cases announced on Monday, Nova Scotia has reported only one positive result for COVID-19 over the past three days.

The number of active cases in the province is down to 15, the lowest number since early November. No one is in hospital because of the virus.

Nova Scotia's health authority said drop-in testing willbe available at Public Health's mobile health units on Tuesday andWednesdayat Dalhousie University (Goldberg Computer Science Building, University Avenue, Edward Street entrance) from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Anyone can get a test if they don't have any symptoms of COVID-19 or contact with someone who has tested positive.

In a news release,Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health, cautioned Nova Scotians not to become complacent because of the low figures.

"I worry that people will see no new cases and think they no longer need to follow the public health measures," he said in the release. "Let's work to keep our numbers low by remaining vigilant ..."

Nova Scotia's health authority completed 837 tests on Sunday.

Potential COVID-19 exposure

On Monday, the health authority issued a potential COVID-19 exposure forWestJetFlight 3346travelling on Jan. 10 from Toronto (9 a.m.) to Halifax (12 p.m.).Passengers in rows 5-11, seats A, B and Care asked to immediatelytobook a COVID-19 test, regardless of whether you haveCOVID-19 symptoms. The health authority noted that the self-isolation period for this exposure ended Sunday, but said all other passengers on this flight should continue to monitor for signs and symptoms ofCOVID-19.

A full listing of active potential COVID-19 exposures in Nova Scotia can be found here.

Vaccine distribution

As of Monday, 11,083 doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been administered by the province, and 2,708 Nova Scotians have already received their second dose of the vaccine.

Last week, the province announced that there would be no new shipments of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine this week. Officials saidthe province is expected to get "limited amounts" of the Pfizer vaccine, as well as its usual allotment ofModerna vaccine, in the first week of February.

In the release, Premier Stephen McNeil said Nova Scotians should be proud of their success in coming out of the weekend with just one case.

"I thank everyone for their work in keeping our case numbers low. We can keep them low if we continue following all the public health protocols," he said.

Some restrictions eased Monday

Some restrictions on sports, arts and culture were to be eased on Monday.

Sports teams will be able to play games, but withrestricted travel and no spectators, and there can be no games or tournaments involving teams that would not regularly play against each other. Art and theatre performances can take place without an audience.

The province will also allow residents of adult service centres and regional rehabilitation centres to start volunteering and working in the community again.

Returning students urged to get tested

Post-secondary students returning to Nova Scotia from anywhere exceptPrince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador are being encouraged to book a COVID-19 test appointment.

The test should be booked for the sixth, seventh or eighth day of their 14-day self-isolation period. Testing appointments can be booked up to three days in advance.

Atlantic Canada case numbers

• Newfoundland and Labradorreported no new cases Monday.The province hasfive active cases and one person is in hospital with the virus.
• New Brunswickreported 27new cases on Monday for a total of 348active cases. Sixpeople are being treated in hospital, three in intensive care. The province also announced its 14th death related to the virus.
• P.E.I.reported two new cases on Tuesday, one related to travel. The other is a close contactof a previously reported case. The province had sevenactive cases.

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