Nova Scotia reports 7 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday

Nova Scotia is reportingsevennew cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, all related to travel or other known cases.

Three of the new cases are in the central zone and are related to travel outside Atlantic Canada. The people are self-isolating.

The other four are in northern zone and are close contacts of previously reported cases.

There are now 40 known active cases in Nova Scotia.

"COVID-19 is still here and wants us to let our guard down. But we are not going to let that happen after all the hard work and sacrifice by Nova Scotians," Premier Stephen McNeil said in a news release Tuesday.

"We will contain the virus over the holiday season by keeping our gatherings small, wearing a mask and following all of the other public health protocols."

New household gathering limits across Nova Scotiacame into effect on Monday. Gatherings must be limited to 10 people total, including household members.

While people are no longer directed to avoid the Halifax and Hants County areas, the province has advised against unnecessary travel this holiday season.

The Nova Scotia Health Authority issued a list of three new exposure sites, which include two flights and a pizza restaurant. Anyone who was at the following locations at the indicated times is asked toimmediately book a test using the province's self-assessment website or contact 811 to arrange for COVID-19 testing, regardless of whether they have COVID-19 symptoms:

• Andre's Pizzaat 243 S.FoordSt., Stellarton, betweenDec. 10 andDec. 14.Symptoms may develop up to, and including,Dec. 28.
• Swoop Airlines Flight 409travelling onDec. 18 from Toronto (6p.m.) to Halifax (9p.m.).Passengers in rows 15 to 21are asked to continue to self-isolate and immediately to book a test using the province'sself-assessment website, regardless of whether they haveCOVID-19 symptoms.Anyone exposed to the virus on this flight may develop symptoms up to, and including, Jan. 1.
• WestJetFlight 254travelling onDec. 19 from Toronto (9:45 p.m.) to Halifax onDec. 20 (12a.m.).Passengers in rows 1 to 5are asked to continue to self-isolate and immediatelyto booka test using the province'sself-assessment website, regardless of whetherthey haveCOVID-19 symptoms. Anyone exposed to the virus on this flight may develop symptoms up to, and including, Jan. 3.

All the active COVID-19 exposure sites in the province can be foundhere.

Santa doesn't need to self-isolate, says Strang

4 years ago

Duration 1:24

Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health, had an important message for all the kids during Monday's COVID-19 news briefing.

The new cases were discovered among1,795tests completed by Nova Scotia Health Authoritylabs on Monday.

No one is in hospital due to the virus.

"I'm encouraged to see that our case numbers have remained low as we get closer to the holiday season," Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health, said in the release.

"Let's keep up the good work by continuing to follow all the public health measures adhere to the gathering limits, keep a consistent social group, stay home if you are feeling unwell, wash your hands and self-isolate if required."

On Monday, the province announced it would install four newCOVID-19 vaccine storage sites across the province this week.

Freezers capable of creating ultra-low temperatures to store the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be installed at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney, Colchester East Hants Health Centre in Truro, Valley Regional Hospital in Kentville and Yarmouth Regional Hospital.

Cases in the Atlantic provinces

The latest numbers from the Atlantic provinces are: