LATEST ON COVID, INCLUDING POSSIBLE EXPOSURE LOCATIONS IN PICTOU COUNTY
Nova Scotia is reporting 4 new COVID-19 infections with the latest update, which the premier says is encouraging. After double-digit increases through all of last week, Stephen McNeil says the better numbers show Nova Scotians are doing their part to stop the spread. There were six new cases reported on Saturday. There were also some warnings about COVID-19 exposure causing people to be extra careful locally over the weekend. (We’ve got those latest local sites listed online for you.) There are now 88 active COVID infections across Nova Scotia, a drop from the 95 cases reported on Saturday. Since Oct.1st, there have been 279 positive COVID infections in Nova Scotia and no deaths. There are no COVID patients currently hospitalized in the province.
Nova Scotia Health Public Health is advising of potential COVID-19 exposures in the following locations. Four are in the Western Zone and two are in the Northern Zone.
Anyone who worked or visited the following locations on the specified date and time should monitor for symptoms of COVID-19:
- Winners – Highland Square Mall (689 Westville Rd, New Glasgow) on Nov. 29 between 12:45 p.m. and 2 p.m. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at this location on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, Dec. 13.
- Pet Valu (38 George St, New Glasgow) on Nov. 29 between 12 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at this location on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, Dec. 13.
- Miller’s Your Independent Grocer (21 St Anthony St, Annapolis Royal) on Nov. 25 between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.; Nov. 26 between 1:30 and 3 p.m. and Nov. 27 between 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at this location on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, Dec. 11.
- Lucky Rabbit (15 Church St, Annapolis Royal) on Nov. 27 between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at this location on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, Dec. 11.
- Bainton’s Tannery Outlet (213 St George St, Annapolis Royal) on Nov. 27 between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at this location on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, Dec. 11TH.
- Best Buy Mayflower Mall (800 Grand Lake Rd, Sydney) on Nov. 22 between 3:45 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at this location on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, Dec. 6.
Anyone who worked or visited the following location on this date and time should immediately visit covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/ to book a COVID-19 test, regardless of whether or not they have COVID-19 symptoms.
- Mad Hatter Wine Bar (213 George St, Annapolis Royal) on Nov. 21 between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. It is anticipated that anyone exposed to the virus at this location on the named date may develop symptoms up to, and including, Dec. 5.
People who book testing because they were at a site of potential exposure to COVID-19 are required to self-isolate before their test and while waiting for test results.
You can also call 811 if you don’t have online access or if you have other symptoms that concern you.
Public Health is also advising of potential COVID-19 exposure on two Air Canada flights from Toronto to Sydney.
Officials say passengers in rows 14-18 on flight 8210 that landed in Sydney at 12:00 a.m. December 3rd should arrange to get tested immediately, while all other passengers should monitor for COVID-19 symptoms.
Anyone exposed on this flight could develop symptoms up to and including December 17th. Public Health says travelers in rows 21-25, seats A, C, D and F on flight 8210 that landed in Sydney at 12:16 a.m. November 19th who has or has had mild COVID-19 symptoms should self-isolate and get tested, while all others should monitor for symptoms of the virus.
OUTBREAK OF CASES ON PEI
PEI Officials say anybody between the ages 20 to 29 in the greater Charlottetown area should get a COVID-19 test in the next few days. Premier Dennis King made that ask yesterday in announcing four more cases of COVID-19 in Charlottetown. That makes 10 new COVID-19 cases in the past week on P.E.I. Six of the Island cases over the weekend are women in their 20’s.
NEW GLASGOW AND TRURO X-RAY APPOINTMENTS NOW ONLINE
Appointments for X-rays at the Aberdeen Hospital and the hospital in Truro can now be made online. Nova Scotia Health has added those services and online appointments at 13 other sites province-wide.
WESTVILLE POLICE SEEK HELP AFTER WEEKEND HIT AND RUN
Westville Police are asking for help trying to locate the driver involved in a hit-and-run crash that left hundreds of people here in Pictou County without power for part of the weekend.
Police responded when a truck left the road at the corner of Drummond Road and South Main Street in Westville around 6:15 Saturday evening. The white pick-up truck that went off the road struck a stop sign, fire hydrant and power pole and Westville Police tell us the driver failed to stop at the scene. If you can help identify the driver, you’re asked to contact the Westville Police at (902) 396-2778 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
STABBING AT TRURO WOMENS’ PRISON OVER THE WEEKEND
Truro Police are confirming more details about the stabbing inside the town’s Womens’ Prison over the weekend. They were called in just after 5 o’clock on Saturday afternoon. As a result, a 31 year old inmate is being charged with attempted murder along with other weapons related charges in court today. (Monday)
The victim, a 39 year old inmate received numerous stab wounds and was transported to the Truro Hospital, but has now been released.
TATAMAGOUCHE FIRE A “NEAR-MISS” AT TRAIN STATION INN, WITH SERIOUS DAMAGES
Volunteers with the Tatamagouche Fire Department are being applauded for their efforts overnight Friday into Saturday morning by the owners of the Train Station Inn. That, after a nearby car fire almost spread to an antique, wooden caboose. Jimmie LeFresne, is the Inn’s owner. He says the volunteer fire crews in Tatamagouche arrived in just a nick of time. LeFresne says the Inn only offers accommodations in the antique train cabooses during the summer, so it’s lucky no one was inside at the time of the fire. The fire broke out on the old railway trail behind the caboose after a car hit a tree around 3 a.m. Saturday. (Train Station Inn Facebook Photo)
PICTOU COUNTY UNITED WAY AWARDS FUNDS TO LOCAL GROUPS
Pictou County’s United Way has launched a second call for applications for the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF). The fund provides financial support to groups helping Canadians during the pandemic. So far from Round 2 In Pictou County, 11 organizations have netted more than $44,000. In Antigonish County, 6 organizations have been approved for just shy of $21,000.
Here is the list of local groups.
In Pictou County: • Aberdeen Palliative Care Society – Respite Program • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pictou County – Sport/Recreation Registration Assistance and Holiday Support • John Howard Society of Nova Scotia – Food Security, Comfort/Hygiene Bags, Winter Clothing and Transportation • Kidney Foundation, Atlantic Branch – Emergency Short Term Financial Assistance Program (STFA) • Pictou County Continuous Learning Association (PiCCoLA) – Technology • Pictou County Sexual Health Centre – Access Success – Product and Service Provision and Delivery • Pictou County Women’s Resource and Sexual Assault Centre – Food Hampers • Summer Street – Anti-Poverty Care Boxes • Viola’s Place Society – Shift Worker • VON Pictou County – Meals Subsidy • YMCA of Pictou County – Subsidized Memberships for Mental Health and Addictions Referrals.
In Antigonish County: • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pictou County – Sport/Recreation Registration Assistance and Holiday Support • Immaculate Conception Parish – Tri-Parish COVID-19 Relief, Meals and Check-ins • John Howard Society of Nova Scotia – Scotia Food Security, Comfort/Hygiene Bags, Winter Clothing and Transportation • Kidney Foundation, Atlantic Branch – Emergency Short Term Financial Assistance Program (STFA) • Syria Antigonish Families Embrace (SAFE) Society – Safe Newcomer Arrival and Settlement during COVID-19 • VON Antigonish -– Meals Subsidy and Adult Day Program. United Way of Pictou County is proud to support this important investment of $65,216 into our local communities.
VACCINE “DRY RUN” EXPECTED TODAY
Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin, who is leading the Canadian military’s role in the vaccine distribution process, says today’s vaccine dry run is intended to get people comfortable with the intense requirements of distributing a vaccine that has to be kept below -70 C at all times.
A national operations centre established in Ottawa is quarterbacking the effort, and looking at two phases of a vaccine rollout. The first will be over the winter, with about six million doses of vaccine from Pfizer and Moderna, enough to vaccinate three million people with two doses each. Since today’s plan is for a trial run of vaccine distribution, Dr. Matthew Oughton at Jewish General Hospital in Montreal says he expects to see problems pop up in the system – after all, he says that’s the purpose of doing Monday’s trial distribution in the first place.
The second effort will start in the spring, when “millions more” doses are expected from Pfizer and Moderna. (File Photo)
MENG WANZHOU CASE SPARKS RENEWED HOPE FOR TWO MICHAELS IN CHINESE PRISON
The legal fight against extradition to the United States for Meng Wanzhou is back on in a Vancouver court today amid a report that the American Justice Department is discussing a deal in the case.
A Wall Street Journal report says U.S. officials were discussing an agreement that would see the Huawei executive admit guilt to some of the allegations in exchange for dropping the extradition request.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wouldn’t comment on the report Friday, except to say Canada’s absolute priority is the safe release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, whose arrests and charges have been widely linked to Canada’s detention of Meng. (Canadian Press)
“HAVANA SYNDROME” SOURCE SUSPECTED AS RADIO ENERGY
A new report commissioned by the U.S. government suggests “directed” radio energy likely caused brain injuries to American diplomats posted in Cuba and China.
Yet the report by the National Academy of Sciences in Washington stops short of saying the same about Canadian diplomats and their families in Havana, and instead leaves open the possibility of other causes.
The report represents the latest attempt to explain the mysterious illness known as Havana syndrome that started causing headaches, dizziness and cognitive problems in U.S. and Canadian diplomats in Cuba in 2016.
