2 new COVID-19 cases reported in Nova Scotia Saturday

Nova Scotia reported two new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday.

Both cases are in the central health zone. One is a close contact of a previously reported case, while the other case is under investigation, according to a provincial release.

The province has 17 known active cases.

The Nova Scotia Healthlabs completed 2,000 tests on Friday.

"Today is the first day of spring, case numbers continue to stay low and the remaining restrictions in parts of HRM and surrounding communities were lifted this morning," Premier Iain Rankin said in a release.

"However, that does not mean we can let our guard down."

No one isin hospital in Nova Scotia related to the virus.

As of Friday, 58,036 doses of vaccine had been administered, and of those, 20,050 Nova Scotians hadreceived a second dose.

The first COVID-19 vaccinations in a primary care clinic took place Saturday at a walk-in clinic in Truro.

Ten community clinics and 15 pharmacies are administering COVID-19 vaccine to all Nova Scotians who are 80 and older based on birth month, while 25 pharmacies and physician offices are bringing AstraZeneca vaccine to those ages 60 to 64.

All appointments need to be booked in advance, and can be done online here.

Various restrictions on long-term care, restaurants, sports and other areas were lifted as of 8 a.m. Saturday for those in the Halifax Regional Municipality and other designated areas.

New Brunswickers coming into Nova Scotia also now no longer have to self-isolate when entering Nova Scotia.

But, Nova Scotians going to New Brunswick will still have to self-isolate for two weeks upon arrival there. While Nova Scotia has reopened its border, New Brunswick is not planning to do the same.

New exposure sites

Nova Scotia Health reported five new potential exposure sites on Saturday.

Anyone who worked at or visited the following locations on the specified dates and times shouldbook a COVID-19 teston theself-assessment websiteor by contacting 811,regardless of whether they have COVID-19 symptoms.

Individuals who were at the following locations during the listed times do not have to self-isolate while they await test results, unless they have symptoms of COVID-19.

• DollaramaClayton Parkat278LacewoodDr., Halifax,on March 14 between noon-2 p.m.Anyone exposed may develop symptoms through March 28.
• Atlantic Superstore at650Portland St., Dartmouth,on March 16 between 6:30-8p.m.Anyone exposed may develop symptoms through March 30.
• Costco Dartmouth Crossing at137CountryviewDr., Dartmouth,on March 16 between 1:30-4:30p.m.Anyone exposed may develop symptoms through March 30.
• Dave's Fruit & Vegetable Marketat322 Main St., Dartmouth,on March 16 between 3:30-4:45 p.m.Anyone exposed may develop symptoms through March 30.
• Sobeysat752SackvilleDr.,DownsviewMall,LowerSackville,on March 16 between 12:30-4:30 p.m.Anyone exposed may develop symptoms through March 27.

Woman fined under Health Protection Act

On Saturday, New Glasgow police charged a 57-year-old woman for failing to quarantine for 14 days after she travelledto Nova Scotia from Alberta.

Responding to a complaint, police found the woman at a parking lot on Westville Road. She was charged underthe Health Protection Act.

Atlantic Canada case numbers

• New Brunswick reported threenew cases on Saturday for a total of 49known active cases. Two people are in hospital with the virus.
• Newfoundland and Labrador reported no new cases on Saturday. The province has five known active cases, and one person is in hospital with the virus.
• P.E.I. reported four cases on Friday. There are now eight known active cases on the Island.