Jump to sections in this article:
Overview
Vaccination
Testing
Nova Scotia is reporting a total of 363 people in hospital who either now have COVID or once did have COVID, as follows:
• 91 admitted because of COVID symptoms, 14 of whom are in ICU. Those 91 range in age from 0 to 97 years old, and their average age is 65;
• 130 admitted to hospital for other reasons but who tested positive for COVID during the admissions screening or who were admitted for COVID but no longer require specialized care;
• 142 who contracted COVID in the hospital outbreaks
The vaccination status of the 91 is:
• 21 (23.1%) have had 3 doses
• 36 (39.5%) have had 2 doses but not 3
• 1 (1.1%) has had 1 dose only
• 33 (36.3%) are unvaccinated
Note that less than 9% of the population is unvaccinated.
Additionally, the province announced 219 new cases of COVID-19 today. The new cases are people who received a positive PCR test result from a Nova Scotia Health lab; it does not include people who tested positive using a take-home rapid (antigen) test.
By Nova Scotia Health zone, the new cases break down as:
• 81 Central
• 46 Eastern
• 41 Northern
• 51 Western
Hospital outbreaks
There is a new hospital outbreak in a ward at Cape Breton Regional Hospital, with a total of fewer than five cases.
There are additionally new cases at two ongoing hospital outbreaks:
• Victoria General — 1 new for a total of 16
• Digby General — 1 new for a total of fewer than 10
Long-term care outbreaks
This is also a new outbreak at a long-term care facility:
• Tideview Terrace in Conway — 2 residents, 6 staff
Vaccination
Yesterday, 4,885 doses of vaccine were administered:
• 181 first doses
• 1,490 second doses
• 3,214 third doses
In total, 2,157,384 doses have been administered:
• 877,795 first doses
• 813,397 second doses
• 466,192 third doses
At end of day yesterday, 91.5% of the entire population have received at least one dose of vaccine:
• 6.7% with 1 dose only
• 36.6% with 2 doses but not 3
• 48.2% with 3 doses
• 8.5% unvaccinated
Appointments for boosters are now open to people 18 and over for whom 168 days have passed since their second shot.
Vaccination appointments for people 5 years of age and older can be booked here.
People in rural areas who need transportation to a vaccination appointment should contact Rural Rides, which will get you there and back home for just $5. You need to book the ride 24 hours ahead of time.
Testing
Nova Scotia Health labs completed 2,020 PCR tests yesterday, with a positivity rate of 10.8%.
If you test positive with a rapid (antigen) test, you are assumed to definitely have COVID, and you and your household are to self-isolate as required.
Pop-up testing has been scheduled for the following sites:
Tuesday
Halifax Central Library, noon-7pm
Alderney Gate, 4-6pm
CANCELLED Musquodoboit Lions Club, 11am-3pm
CANCELLED New Germany Legion, 11am-3pm
(Musquodoboit and New Germany cancelled due to freezing rain.)Wednesday
Halifax Central Library, noon-4pm
Alderney Gate, 10am-2pm
Bridgetown Fire Hall, 11am-3pm
Windsor Legion, 11am-3pmThursday
Halifax Central Library, noon-7pm
Annapolis Roya Legion, 11am-3pm
Kinsmen Community Centre, 11am-3pm
Sydney Mines & District Community Centre, 11am-3pm
Additionally, a “limited number” of rapid tests are now being distributed to libraries. Call your local library to see if they’ve received any.
You can volunteer to work at the pop-up testing sites here or here. No medical experience is necessary.
Subscribe to the Halifax Examiner
The Halifax Examiner is an advertising-free, subscriber-supported news site. Your subscription makes this work possible.
We have many other subscription options available, or drop us a donation. Thanks!