Nova Scotia reports 1 new COVID-19 case, renews state of emergency

Nova Scotia is reporting one new case of COVID-19 on Friday.

The case was identified in the central health zone and is related to travel,according to a release from the province.

Three people have also recovered from the virus, bringing the province's active total to 13. Of those cases, one person is in intensive care.

Nova Scotia Health's labs completed 3,494 tests on Thursday.

As of Thursday, 76.6 per cent of Nova Scotians have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while 66.2per cent have two doses.

The provincial governmentalso announced that it will renewits state of emergencythat was first declared on March 22, 2020.

The order will extend until noon of Aug. 22, unless the government terminates or extends it.

A new potentialexposure was also reported Fridayfor WestJetFlight 254 travelling on July 31 from Toronto (10:12 a.m.) to Halifax (12:51 a.m. on Aug. 1), affecting passengers in rows 12-18, seats A, B, C and D.

Anyone exposed may develop symptoms through Aug. 15.

More clinics opening for drop-ins

Community vaccine clinics in New Minas, Bridgewater and Yarmouth are opening for drop-ins again next week to allow easier access to the Pfizervaccine.

Any eligible residents and nearby community members over the age of12 can walkin toreceive their first or second dose between next Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Drop-ins will be available at the following locations:

• New Minas Community Clinic, New Minas Baptist Church,9453 Commercial St.
• Bridgewater Community Clinic, NSCC Lunenburg Campus,75 High St.
• Yarmouth Community Clinic, NSCC Burridge Campus,371 Pleasant St.

Community members will be asked to provide their health card number and ID at the vaccine clinic.

Health authority warns of scam

Nova Scotia Health saysthere havebeen reports of a telephone scam related to the in-home COVID-19 vaccination program. A caller claims to be from Nova Scotia Health's continuing care program, and asks someone for their financial information.

The health authority said in a release Friday that it will not ask for banking, financial, or other sensitive information likesocial insurance numbers whenanyone calls to book an in-home vaccination appointment.

Anyone registered for thein-home vaccination programwhoreceives atelephone call that claims to be from Nova Scotia Health's Continuing Care program requestingthis type of informationshould hang up and contact 1-800-225-7225.

Atlantic Canada case numbers

• Prince Edward Island, which does not give a daily update, has four active cases according to the province's COVID-19 website.

• New Brunswickreportedsix new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, and has 55active cases.

• Newfoundland and Labradorreported two new cases and has seven active cases. The province has also said it will drop mandatory masks requirements as of Tuesday, Aug. 10.