8 new cases of COVID-19 announced in Nova Scotia on Thursday, August 19

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Overview
Vaccination
Demographics
Testing
Potential exposure advisories

Nova Scotia announced eight new cases of COVID-19 today, Thursday, August 19.

Six of the new cases are in Nova Scotia Health’s Central Zone — five are related to travel and one is under investigation.

One of the new cases is in the Northern Zone and is related to travel.

And one of the new cases is in the Eastern Zone and is a close contact of a previously reported case.

Three of the new cases are 19 years old or younger, and four are aged 20-39. Vaccination status of new cases is released on Fridays.

Some weeks ago I asked Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang if Public Health could split the 19-and-under demographic between those 11 and under (who are entirely unvaccinated) and those 12-19 (who are highly vaccinated); he said he’d bring that suggestion back to his people. I’ve heard nothing since.

There are now 32 known active cases in the province. One person is in hospital with the disease, and that person is in ICU. One person is considered newly recovered, which means they are no longer contagious and not necessarily that they aren’t sick.

Vaccination

Yesterday, 4,115 doses of vaccine were administered; of those, 3,304 were second doses. So far, a total of 1,418,472 doses of vaccine have been administered, of which 668,653 were second doses. As of end of day yesterday, 77.2% of the entire population have received at least one dose of vaccine, and 68.8% have received two doses.

The threshold for Phase 5 of the reopening plan, when most Public Health restrictions will be lifted, is 75% of the entire population having received two doses; at the current pace of vaccination, that should happen around September 15.

Of those eligible to be vaccinated (those 12 years old and older), 87.5% have received at least one dose, while 78.0% have received two doses. That’s a rough estimate on my part, using my best guestimate of population age cohorts.

The drop-in vaccination clinics have closed.

People 12 years old and older can also book a vaccination appointment 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.

Demographics

The active cases across the province are distributed as follows:

Central Zone
• 8 in the Halifax Peninsula/Chebucto Community Health Network
• 7 in the Dartmouth/Southeastern Community Health Network
• 5 in the Bedford/Sackville Community Health Network
• 0 in the Eastern Shore/Musquodoboit Community Health Network
• 0 in the West Hants Community Health Network
• 2 not assigned to a Community Health Network
Total: 22

Eastern Zone
• 4 in the Cape Breton Community Health Network
• 0 in the Inverness, Victoria & Richmond Community Health Network
• 0 in the Antigonish & Guysborough Community Health Network
Total: 4

Northern Zone
• 2 in the Colchester/East Hants Community Health Network
• 1 in the Pictou Community Health Network
• 1 in the Cumberland Community Health Network
Total: 4

Western Zone
• 2 in the Annapolis and Kings Community Health Network
• 0 in the Lunenburg & Queens Community Health Network
• 0 in the Yarmouth, Shelburne & Digby Community Health Network
Total: 2

Testing

Nova Scotia Health labs completed 3,272 PCR tests yesterday. This does not include the antigen testing administered at the pop-up testing sites.

You do not need a health card to get tested.

Pop-up testing (antigen testing) is for asymptomatic people over 16 who have not been to the potential COVID exposure sites (see map below); results usually within 20 minutes. Pop-up testing has been scheduled for the following sites:

Thursday
Halifax Convention Centre, noon-7pm
Alderney Gate, 10am-2pm
Dartmouth Summer Sunshine Series, 6-8pm
Centennial Arena, 3-8pm
Halifax Pride Festival, 5565 Sackville St, 3-8pm

Friday
Halifax Convention Centre, noon-7pm
Alderney Gate, 10am-2pm
Dartmouth Summer Sunshine Series, 6-8pm
Centennial Arena, 3-8pm
Halifax Pride Festival, 5565 Sackville St, 8-10pm

Saturday
Halifax Convention Centre, noon-7pm
Dartmouth Summer Sunshine Series, 6-8pm

Sunday
Halifax Convention Centre, noon-7pm
Dartmouth Summer Sunshine Series, 6-8pm
Centennial Arena, 3-8pm
Spryfield Farmers Market, 11am-4:30pm

You can volunteer to work at the pop-up testing sites here or here. No medical experience is necessary.

You can also get PCR testing at the Nova Scotia Health labs by going here. Appointments can be made for the IWK, or for various locations in each of the health zones (appointments may not be available at each site).

Potential exposure advisories

Nova Scotia Health issued the following potential COVID exposure advisories last night:

Anyone who worked at or visited the following locations on the specified dates and times should visit covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/ to book a COVID-19 test, regardless of whether or not they have symptoms. You can also call 811 if you don’t have online access, or if you have other symptoms that concern you.

High risk exposure

Regardless of whether or not you have COVID-19 symptoms, those present at the following location on the named date and time for at least 15 minutes are required to self-isolate, get tested and continue self-isolating for 14 days, even with a negative test result. If you get a positive result, you will be contacted by Public Health about what to do next.

• The Crow’s Nest (40 Water Street, Digby) on August 15 between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at this location on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, August 29.

Please follow the self-isolation and testing instructions noted in this table for high risk contacts, based on vaccination status.

Moderate risk exposure

Regardless of whether or not you have COVID-19 symptoms, those present at the following location on the named date and time for at least 15 minutes are required to self-isolate while waiting for their test result. If you get a negative result, you do not need to keep self-isolating, however, you are asked to get retested 6-8 days and 12-14 days after this exposure.  If you get a positive result, you will be contacted by Public Health about what to do next.

• Burrito Jax (5215 Blowers Street, Halifax) on August 14 between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at this location on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, August 28.

Please follow the self-isolation and testing instructions noted in this table for moderate risk contacts, based on vaccination status.

We’ve collected all the active advisories for potential COVID exposures on bus routes and flights here.

The updated potential COVID exposure advisory map is below; you can zoom in and click on the coronavirus icons to get information about each site.

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