N.S. reports 52 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday

Nova Scotia reported 52 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the active caseload in the province to 194.

Twenty-nine newcases are in the centralzone, 18 are in the easternzone, three are in the northern zone and two are in the western zone.

Nine people are in hospital with the coronavirus, including fourin intensive care.

As of Wednesday, 84.9 per cent of Nova Scotians have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 81.6 per cent have received two doses.

An outbreak at St. FrancisXavier University in the eastern zone has led to a total of 59people testing positive for the coronavirus so far. The province says more new cases are expectedin the coming days.

Public health has sent its mobile COVID-19 testing unit to Antigonish. It will be at the university's Keating Centre at 1100 Convocation Blvd.Thursday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. AT.

Community spread

The province also says there is a cluster of cases in a localized community in the northern zone. There's also evidence of limited community spread in Halifax and parts of northern Nova Scotia.

Several schools, were notified of exposures Wednesday including:

• Beechville Lakeside Timberlea Senior Elementary inTimberlea(closed this week).
• Burton Ettinger Elementary inHalifax.
• Rockingham Elementary inHalifax.
• Tantallon Senior Elementary in Upper Tantallon.

The province maintains a list of school exposures here.

cole Beaubassinclosure

On Wednesday night, the province announced thatcole Beaubassin in Halifax will close for a week to contain the spread of COVID-19. The school will be closed from Friday, Dec. 10 to Thursday, Dec. 16.

Staff and parents will be contacted by the principal about at-home learning.

More information will be shared next week about reopening plans.

COVID-19 testing will be provided to students and staff, and details will be provided in the coming days.

Atlantic Canada case numbers

• New Brunswickreported 174new cases Thursday. The province has 892 active cases, with 40people in hospital, including 16in intensive care.
• Newfoundland and Labradorreported fivenew casesWednesday. The province has 17 active cases.
• Prince Edward Islandreported three cases on Thursday. The province has 29active cases.