5 new COVID-19 cases found in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is reporting five new cases of COVID-19 on Monday.

There are now 57 known active cases in the province, down from 59 on Sunday, according to a news release from the Department of Health.

Two cases were identified in thecentral zone. One of themis related to travel outside Atlantic Canada and the individual is self-isolating.The other case in thecentral zone is under investigation.

Two other new cases are in the western zone and the final new case is in the northern zone. They are allclose contacts of previously reported cases.

"We are seeing a shift in the epidemiology in our province. Most of our cases are related to travel or are a close contact of a previously reported case," Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health,said in a news release Monday.

"This highlights the risk of reintroduction of COVID-19 associated with non-essential travel. As we approach the holiday season, I encourage you to limit social contacts and non-essential travel and continue to follow all the other public health measures."

No one is in hospital related to the virus.

Nova Scotia Health Authoritylabs completed 1,209tests on Sunday.

New possible exposure

Nova Scotia Health issued a potential exposure notice Monday for a pool hall in New Glasgow.

The health authority is advising anyone who worked at or visitedCentury Snooker Club(980 East River Road) on Dec. 8 between 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. to book a COVID-19 test, regardless of whetherthey have symptoms.Anyone exposed to the coronavirus at this locationmay develop symptoms up to, and including, Dec. 22.

A testcan be booked on the COVID-19 self-assessment website. Individuals who book a test after being at a possible exposure site arerequired to self-isolate before their test and while awaitingresults.

A full list of potential exposure locations can be foundhere.

Vaccine roll out

Last week, Health Canada approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

Nova Scotia is expecting one batch of 1,950 doses of the vaccine on Tuesday,with regular weekly allotments starting in January.

The province is expecting toreceive 150,000 doses by end of March, which is enough to immunize75,000 people.

"We will reach a milestone in the battle against COVID-19 this week with the arrival of the first doses of vaccine and the first vaccinations," said Premier Stephen McNeil in the news release.

"This is great news, but it will take time for everyone to get their shots. That means we have to keep following the public health protocols isolate when required, wear a mask, limit social contacts and travel, practise social distancing, stay home when feeling unwell and wash your hands."

Cases in the Atlantic provinces

The latest numbers from the Atlantic provinces are:

• Newfoundland and Labradorreported one new case Monday. The province has 22 active cases.
• New Brunswickreported one new caseand 59active cases Monday. Threepeople are hospitalized with two in intensive care.
• P.E.I.reported five new cases Saturday, all related to travel. The province had17 active cases.