N.S. reports death of man in his 70s, 22 new cases of COVID-19

Nova Scotia reported one death and 22new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday.

A man in his 70s died in central zone, public health officialssaid.

"I am saddened to hear about the loss of another Nova Scotian today, especially as we are nearing what is supposed to be a joyful time of year," Premier Tim Houston said in a news release.

"I offer my deepest sympathies to the family and friends grieving. Please get fully vaccinated if you haven't done so yet and do everything you can to help make sure not one more Nova Scotian has to mourn the loss of a loved one as a result of COVID-19."

Sixteen of the new cases are in the central zone, five are in the northern zone, and one in the westernzone.

Seventeen people are in hospital with the virus, including fivein intensive care.

School exposures

As of Thursday, 81.1 per cent of the population was double-vaccinated with 84.6per cent having receivedtheir first dose.

Eight schools got exposure notifications Thursday:

• Bible Hill Junior High, Bible Hill
• Cobequid Consolidated Elementary, Old Barns
• Harmony Heights Elementary, Salmon River
• Valley Elementary School, Valley
• Beechville Lakeside Timberlea Jr Elementary, Timberlea
• Clayton Park Junior High, Halifax
• Fairview Junior High, Halifax
• Grosvenor-Wentworth Park Elementary, Halifax

Acompletelist of school exposures isavailable online.

There are no new cases at the East Cumberland Lodge long-term care home in Pugwash.A total of 32 residents and 11 staff members at the home have tested positive, and three of the infected residents have died.

In Wednesday'sCOVID-19 briefing, Houston and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strangsaid they expect that children ages five to 11 willstart getting vaccinatedDec. 2.

Strang said the first shipments of the vaccine for kids will be delivered to the province this week.The online system for booking vaccines for kids is not yet open, but will open "very soon," Houston said.

Health Canada approvedPfizer-BioNTech'svaccine for kids in that age range on Friday.

Atlantic Canada case numbers

• New Brunswickreported 95new cases Thursday. The province has 743active cases, with 54people in hospital, including 18in intensive care.
• Newfoundland and Labradorreported four new casesWednesday and one death, a man over the age of 70. It has 13active cases with one person in hospital.
• Prince Edward Islandreported two new casesThursday. The province has 37active cases.