The figures are for a seven-day period from June 28 to July 4. There were a total of 1,749 positive PCR tests, up from 1,491 the previous week. This number does not include positive rapid test results. As of March 2020, there have been 451 deaths from COVID-19 in Nova Scotia. About three-quarters of these deaths occurred during the Omicron wave, which began on December 8, 2021. Nova Scotia Health says as of today, 26 people are in hospital with COVID-19, with seven in intensive care. This is an increase from last week, when 21 people were hospitalized with three in ICU. Another 119 people currently have COVID-19 but are being hospitalized for another reason, according to the health authority. Another 58 people contracted COVID-19 after being admitted to hospital. The province no longer publishes weekly COVID-19 reports with details such as the age range of those who have died or cases of COVID-19 in long-term care or in the private sector. Starting this week, these reports will be issued on a monthly basis. The province continues to issue weekly respiratory disease reports, as it has done for many years. These reports detail levels of influenza and other respiratory illnesses, but do not include details about COVID-19 activity.
Increase in healthcare workers due to COVID-19
There was an increase among Nova Scotia Health staff who were sick or isolated due to COVID-19 this week, a 67 per cent increase to 237 employees. Every part of the province saw an increase, but the Central Zone, which includes Halifax, saw the biggest jump, with 138 out of work compared to 90 last week.
COVID-19 restrictions lifted
On Wednesday, the province lifted all remaining community-based COVID-19 restrictions. As of July 6, five-day self-isolation is “strongly recommended” but not mandatory for people who have tested positive for COVID-19. Most restrictions on high-risk settings will remain. Long-term care homes, correctional facilities, shelters and transition homes will maintain a seven-day isolation period for residents who test positive for COVID-19. Health care workers will still have to stay away from work for seven days if they test positive for the virus. People who are sick are asked to avoid high-risk areas and also other people who are more vulnerable. If people who are sick must go out, they are asked to wear a well-fitting mask. Masks continue to be recommended for everyone in crowded indoor spaces, including on public transport.
Second booster bookings for people 50-69
Starting Friday, July 8, Nova Scotians ages 50 to 69 will be able to book a second COVID-19 booster online or by phone during the day at 1-833-797-7772. People do not need an appointment for clinics that offer the souvenir. But Nova Scotia Public Health says people should wait until the fall, when a new vaccine could be available that works better against the Omicron variant. “Our advice is to wait because the first booster still offers strong protection against serious illness for most people in this age group. COVID-19 activity is currently relatively stable, but we expect to see a resurgence later this in the fall or winter when we typically see an uptick in respiratory viruses,” Dr. Shelley Deeks, deputy chief medical officer of health, said in a news release. The province also announced Thursday that more immunocompromised Nova Scotians will be eligible for an extra dose of vaccine starting July 8.
