2 NEW CASES OF COVID-19 REPORTED IN N.S. – STRANG SAYS HE’S ENCOURAGED BY LOW NUMBERS
Dr. Robert Strang (NS Government)
The province is reporting two new cases of COVID-19 in its latest update. One case is in the central zone and is linked to a close contact. The second is in the northern zone and is linked to travel outside of Atlantic Canada. There are currently 30 active cases, with one person now in hospital.
Meanwhile, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Robert Strang says he’s encouraged by the continued low number of COVID-19 cases in the province, but is reminding people they must stay home if they feel sick after an increase in potential exposures in recent weeks. Strang urged anyone with symptoms, even if they are mild, to isolate from other people and do an online self-assessment to get tested. Strang also asked employers to ensure staff can stay home if they feel sick or if they’ve been to a location where there’s an exposure notice and require isolation until they get a test result. He said if case numbers continue to be low next month, he and the premier will consider lifting restrictions that were extended earlier this month.
Nova Scotia Public Health is warning of potential exposure to the novel coronavirus at Canadian Tire in Dartmouth Crossing last Monday and Tuesday. Officials say anyone at the store on December 21st between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. December 22nd should get tested for COVID-19 even if they do not have symptoms. Anyone who is asymptomatic does not have to self-isolate while waiting for their test results, however isolation rules apply to those with COVID-19 symptoms.
Dr. Strang provided an update on Covid-19 vaccinations in Nova Scotia, which were paused over the holidays but he says clinics are operating once again. So far, 2,290 Nova Scotians have been vaccinated. Health Canada approved Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 23 and the first doses started arriving the next day. The province is expected to receive 3,700 doses of Moderna vaccine this week.
There’s no evidence yet that a more contagious variant of COVID-19 first identified in the U.K. has made it’s way to Nova Scotia, but Dr. Strang says officials are watching carefully for it. Yesterday Quebec become the fourth province to confirm its first case of the new variant. The variant has also been confirmed in three Ontario cases, one in Alberta and one in British Columbia. Strang said he wouldn’t be surprised if the variant does show up here, however, he added very few cases of COVID-19 in our province have been linked to travel outside of North America. He said no matter what variants emerge, the best way to protect against the virus remains the same; following the COVID protocols that have been implemented and focusing on personal measures such as physical distancing, wearing masks and frequent handwashing. Passenger flights from the U.K. have been temporarily suspended until at least Jan. 6.
RCMP SAY AERIAL SEARCH LOCATED DEBRIS ‘CONSISTENT’ WITH MISSING N.S. SCALLOP BOAT
Photo Credit: CBC
The RCMP say they have located debris that may belong to the missing scallop dragger that sank off Nova Scotia’s southwest coast earlier this month. Police say they searched about 100 kilometres of coastline from Digby Gut to Harbourville by helicopter Monday and found debris “consistent” with a section of the upper portion of the Chief William Saulis. The Chief William Saulis was manned by six men and on its way back from a fishing trip when it sank early on Dec. 15. Only the body of 48-year-old Michael Drake from Newfoundland and Labrador has been found. Police said Tuesday they are working with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada to confirm whether the debris was from the missing scallop boat. The RCMP suspended their aerial search Tuesday because a helicopter was unavailable but said they will resume the operation Wednesday. Crew members Aaron Cogswell, Leonard Gabriel, Michael Drake, Dan Forbes and Geno Francis as well as captain Charles Roberts were on board the Chief William Saulis when an emergency beacon signal was received at 5:50 a.m. on Dec. 15. (The Canadian Press)
Halifax District RCMP are asking for the public’s help as they continue to investigate a suspicious fire that destroyed several buildings at a Scouts Canada camp in the Musquodoboit Valley. Police say that officers and members of Halifax Fire and Emergency were dispatched to Camp Nedooae in Elderbank on Christmas night. Two buildings on the campgrounds were completely destroyed after being engulfed by flames and another sustained “significant” damage. No one was injured. The RCMP are asking anyone with information on the incident to call them or to contact Crime Stoppers.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE “BUSINESS UNUSUAL” HONOUREES ANNOUNCED
Nominee Alex Theriault from Z-979
The Pictou County Chamber of Commerce is set to showcase the resilience, determination and innovation of a dozen local businesses, organizations and individuals in the new year. The evening dubbed “Business Unusual” will celebrate the success stories from the first wave of the pandemic. Honorees include Stingray Radio & Alex Theriault from Z-979, Heather Cameron-Thompson who started the Ultimate Online Nova Scotia Kitchen Party (COVID-19 Edition), Jim McKenna who created the Helping during Coronavirus – Pictou County Facebook Group, Stirling MacLean – Wear Well Garments, Kristi Russell – New Glasgow Farmers Market, Alain Bossé – The Kilted Chef, Alex Rice – Nova Scotia Spirit Company, Pictou County Schools Plus – Breakfast Program, Jannelle Clyke – Jannelle’s Upcycled Clothing and Masks, Pete Guthro’s Downtown Fitness Studio, The Barker Family – Re-opening the Highland Drive-in, and The Advocate Group – “Shine On” Campaign. The event, which will be dedicated to frontline workers, is set for January 28th at the DeCoste Centre following health protocols. Tickets will be available starting on January 4th. There will also be a free livestream to watch online.
A new poll suggests the COVID-19 pandemic has made some Canadians feel more grateful for what they have. The poll from Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies found respondents cited that feeling 56 per cent of the time when asked about positive impacts from the pandemic. More seniors than young people in the survey reported appreciating what they have now than before COVID-19. Association president Jack Jedwab says that may reflect that older generation have been more threatened by the virus and may have not spent much time with close family. He notes that younger respondents more often cited being thankful for spending more quality time with immediate families. The online survey of 1,528 Canadians was conducted Dec. 11-13 and cannot be assigned a margin of error because internet-based polls are not considered random samples. (The Canadian Press)
