COVID-19 booster appointments open for kids aged 5 to 11 in N.S.

Bookings are now open for COVID-19 booster vaccines for children aged five to 11 in Nova Scotia.

Appointments will begin Tuesday, Sept. 6, the provincial government said Thursday in a news release.

It's recommended that most children wait 168 days between their second vaccine dose and their first booster.

Likewise, children who've had COVID-19 should also wait 168 days from the time of their infection before receiving their booster.

In both cases,childrenwho are moderately to several immunocompromised may beeligible to receive their booster after a shorter period of 120 days since the last dose of their three-dose vaccine series.

Vaccine appointments can be booked onlineor by calling 1-833-797-7772. Vaccine scheduling by phone is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.

Five Nova Scotians died from COVID-19 the week of Aug. 23 to 29, the province's updated COVID-19 dashboard showed Thursday.

There was an average of 187 daily COVID-19 cases confirmed by PCR tests during that time, a decrease from 194 the previous week. Eight deaths were reported last week.

As of Thursday, Sept. 1, Nova Scotia Health reported 329 patients in hospitals across the province tested positive for COVID-19 an increase of 32 from the previous week. That number includes:

• 48 patients are in hospital being treated for COVID-19, seven in intensive care.
• 146 patients in hospital have COVID-19 but are being treated for something else.
• 135 patients in hospital contracted COVID-19 after being admitted to hospital.

Nova Scotia Health reported 181 employees off work on Thursday due to being diagnosed as positive for COVID-19, awaiting results of a COVID-19 test, or being exposed to a member of their household who tested positive for COVID-19. Last week that number was 241.

The IWK Children's Hospital is reporting there are fewer than five children are in hospital being treated for COVID-19.

There are 49 staff members off work due to COVID-19, including 10 who are self-isolating.