N.S. reports 35 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday

Nova Scotia reported 35 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the active caseload in the province to 203.

Of the new cases, 16are in the northern zone, 16are in the central zoneand threeare in the western zone.

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

Fifteen people are now in hospital with COVID-19, including eightin intensive care.

New travel restrictions for kids under11

Nova Scotia Public Health announced Wednesday new travel restrictions for children aged 11 and underwho are participating in cultural eventsor sports games, competitions and tournaments.

In a news release, the province saidkids will not be allowed to travel to other provinces to take part in those events. Children in that age group will also not be able to enter Nova Scotia to participate.

The province said the new rulewill remain in place until at least early January.

According to Wednesday's update, 81.5per cent of Nova Scotians have been double-vaccinated and22,548 eligible Nova Scotians have received a third dose.

No Omicron in N.S. yet

The province's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Robert Strang, said Wednesday he is not aware of any cases in the province so far that involve the Omicron variant.

Public Health was given the names on the weekend of a handful of people who were identified as having recently travelled to countries with travel restrictions due to Omicron. Strang said Public Health has contacted thosetravellers and is supporting them to get tested.

"It's a matter of not if, but when, we do see this variant here in Nova Scotia," Strang told reporters Wednesday.

Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 now in Nova Scotia will have their sample screened for Omicron, and if it tests positive for the variant, it will be sent to the national lab for confirmation.

Exposures at schools

Several schools have received exposure notifications since Tuesday, includingBedford South School in Bedford,Beechville Lakeside Timberlea Senior Elementary in Timberlea,Rockingham Elementary in Halifax,Rocky Lake Elementary in Bedford, Redcliff Middle School in Valley,and Spring Street Academy in Amherst.The province maintains a list of school exposures here.

On Wednesday, the Public Health mobile unit will be on site at DucD'Anville Elementary in Halifax to offer free PCR testing for all ages between 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. local time. PCR swish and gargle tests will be offered to people ages four to 18.

The Public Health mobile unit will also offer free PCRtesting Wednesday at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch located at 1130 Veterans Dr.in Pictou between 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.PCR swish and gargle tests will also be available for children. A limited supply of rapid antigen take-home tests will also be available.

The testing there is free and available to anyone in thecommunity.

Atlantic Canada case numbers

• New Brunswickreported threedeaths and 93new cases Wednesday. The province has 676active cases, with 67peoplein hospital, including 15in intensive care.
• Newfoundland and Labradorreported twonew casesWednesday. The province has 22active cases.
• Prince Edward Islandreported seven new cases on Wednesday. The province has 30active cases. Severalof the province's active cases are tied to a cluster of cases that began about three weeks ago.