COVID-19 cases dwindling in N.S., but community spread continues

COVID-19 is still spreading by community transmission in Nova Scotia, but the numbers are lowand Premier Stephen McNeilsays more public health restrictions could be lifted by early June.

The province reported one new case of the virus Tuesday, bringing the total to 1,044. Of those, 32 are active cases and mostare connected to long-term care facilities.

Twenty-seven of the province's active cases are residents and staffat Northwood.

Nine people are currently in hospital, with five of those in intensive care.

On Tuesday, the province reported one new death at the Northwood long-term care facility in Halifax. A total of 50 residents there have died from the virus, accounting for all but six COVID-19 deaths in Nova Scotia.

Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health, spoke at a press briefing Tuesday afternoon, which was the first time they spokepublicly since introducing a bubblepolicy and reopening access to some outdoor activities on Friday.

Strang reiterated Tuesday that bubble familieshave to be mutually exclusive, but he said it's OK to get together with friends and family from outside chosen family bubbles, but they must respectphysical distancing guidelines and capgatherings at five people.

Strang said it's best to gather outsideandthere should be "no hugs, no handshakes," and no sharing of food and drinks.

Medication limits relaxed

On Tuesday, the Nova Scotia College of Pharmacists announced they have loosened the 30-day prescription limit. Pharmacies can now dispense prescription quantities as needed, for medications that have a stable supply.

McNeil said Business Minister Geoff MacLellan will conclude consultations with the business sector this week about how to reopen parts of the economy. He said no businesses will be allowed to reopen until the necessary public health protocols are in place to ensure they can operate safely.

"If we get this right, we could be ready by early June," McNeil said.

Over the long weekend, the province reported a total of 10 new cases of COVID-19. All of them were in the central zone, which includes Halifax.

Strang said half of the weekend's new cases are residents and staff atNorthwood, three were contacts of known cases and one case was travel-related. Public health is attributing one of the casesto community spread.

"The low cases over the weekend really is good news and it continues to be encouraging of how we see the epidemiology is evolving," Strang said.

Buthe cautioned that the persistence of community spread indicated a need to "remain vigilant" with public health restrictions.

Health authority staff cases

On Tuesday, the Nova Scotia Health Authority said 30 staff have hadCOVID-19, but 25 of them are now considered recovered:

• Eastern zone five of six cases recovered.
• Northern zone one of two cases recovered.
• Central zone 18 of 20 cases recovered.
• Western zone one of two cases recovered.

COVID-19 symptoms

The following is a list of symptoms for COVID-19:

• Fever.
• New or worsening cough.
• Sore throat.
• Runny nose.
• Headache.

Anyone with two or more of those symptoms should visit 811's website for a self-assessment questionnaire to determine if 811 should be called for further assessment.