Strang warns of community spread in new COVID-19 cases

Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health warned the public Tuesday that community spread ofCOVID-19 has begun, a sure sign the province is being hit with asecond wave of the pandemic.

"There are sevencases wherewe can't identify a source that is directly related to travel," Dr. Robert Strang said during a briefing.

"We have to conclude this may be from local transmission."

The province reportedthreenew cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, in addition to the two cases related to Dartmouth-area schools that were announced lateMonday.

There are now 24 active cases in Nova Scotia.

"We need to take this seriously and stand up against COVID-19.If we look across the country, we can see what can happen if we don't take this seriously," said Strang.

If community spread continues, Premier Stephen McNeil said he "won't think twice about shutting down the economy again."

"People need to understand this ... we will not hesitate, if required, to shut down this economy in sections," he said. "We should all recognize that this virus is next door and believe it is and act accordingly."

Strang reminded Nova Scotiansit is highly discouraged to travel outside the Atlantic bubbleas the province is on a trajectory of new cases "that can't continue."

InSeptember, the province recorded just three new cases. That number jumped to 21 new casesin October. In the first 17 days of November, 42 new cases were reported.

"We have become complacent and people are tired and this is also making people anxiousall that's understandable, it's normal but we have to step up," said Strang. "There are many challenges in front of us."

Strang saidNova Scotiansmust abide bypublic health measures introduced earlier this year, like frequent handwashing, consistent and proper mask-wearing, physical distancing, following social gathering limits of no more than 10 people, staying home if you are unwell and getting tested when you have more than two symptoms.

School-related cases are students

The first two cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia schoolswere announced Monday. The cases were identifiedat Graham Creighton Junior High in Cherry Brook andAuburn Drive High in Cole Harbour.

McNeilsaid Tuesday both individuals arestudents. They are self-isolating at home.

"I understand this is very stressful and I get thatyou are scared. This is the first time COVID has entered our schools," McNeil said."I want to reassure teachers, students and most definitely students and parents we have a plan in place to do our best to protect you."

Strang said the casesare linked to adults whocontracted COVID-19 from a workplace. The students attended schoolwithout knowing they were infected.

All the individuals who had contact with those students, whether in classrooms or on school buses, have been contacted and advised to self-isolate, said Strang.

They include seven teachersat Graham Creighton Junior High,two teachers at Auburn Drive High and about55 students.

Doug Hadley, the spokesperson for the Halifax Regional Centre for Education, said attendance at both schools was just under 25 per cent on Tuesday, the day after the cases were announced.

"We appreciate many families decided to keep their children home from school," Hadley said in an email."It's understandable they would have feelings of uncertainty and concern given the news about a confirmed case of COVID-19 in their school."

The other three new cases announced Tuesdaywere identified in the Central Zone and are close contacts of previously reported cases.

The new cases were discovered among 966 tests completed atNova Scotia Health Authoritylabs on Monday.

No one is currently in hospital with COVID-19.

So far, the province has had 123,422 negative test results, 1,151 positive COVID-19 cases,and 65 deaths.

Exposure warning in Dartmouth

Meantime, anew potential exposure to COVID-19 was announced in the Dartmouth area.

Anyone who was atGCR Tire & Service Centre at 42 Isnor Dr. on Nov. 13 between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. is being asked to self-monitor for symptoms, the health authority said in a news release.

It said anyone who was exposed to COVID-19at that location may develop symptoms up to and including Nov. 27.

The province recently issued a number of potential exposure sites in the Halifax area. A list can be found here.

The latest numbers from around the Atlantic bubble are:

• New Brunswickreportedfour new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing the number of active cases to 32.
• Newfoundland and Labradorreported two new cases on Tuesday. The province has nine active cases.
• P.E.I.reportedone new case Nov. 11.The province has three active cases.

Symptoms

Anyone with one of the following symptoms should visit the COVID-19self-assessment websiteor call 811:

• Fever.
• Cough or worsening of a previous cough.

Anyone with two or more of the following symptoms is also asked to visit the website or call 811:

• Sore throat.
• Headache.
• Shortness of breath.
• Runny nose.