N.S. health officials confirm Phase 2 of COVID-19 reopening plan will begin tomorrow (Wednesday)
Nova Scotia will officially begin Phase 2 of its reopening plan tomorrow (Wednesday) which includes larger social gatherings and a return to indoor dining. The province says the move to Phase 2 can take place because COVID-19 cases are staying low, hospitalizations are decreasing, testing is steady, and vaccine coverage is going up. Phase 2 will allow indoor and outdoor dining at bars and restaurants, though capacity limits and distancing requirements remain in place. All retail stores will be able to operate at 50 per cent capacity. New gathering limits without social distancing will be 10 people indoors and 25 outdoors. Full details on the reopening plan are available here: https://novascotia.ca/reopening-plan/phase-two/
Province reports one COVID-19 related death, eight new cases Monday; second doses moved up
On Monday, Nova Scotia reported a death related to COVID-19, as a woman in her 80s has died in Central Zone. Nova Scotia also reported eight new cases of COVID-19 and 22 recoveries. All of the cases are in Central Zone. Three are close contacts of previously reported cases, three are under investigation and two are related to travel. Nova Scotia has 124 active cases of COVID-19. Of those, six people are in hospital COVID-19 units, including four in ICU. Premier Iain Rankin and Dr. Robert Strang will provide a COVID-19 update today at 3 p.m.
Meanwhile, Nova Scotians who received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine on or before April 24th can now reschedule their appointments for booster shots. People can select a new date and time at any clinic across the province that has an available appointment. They will also be able to select a different vaccine for their second dose. Anyone who has received a first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine can now choose a second dose of either vaccine, while anyone who has received a first dose of Oxford-AstraZeneca can now receive a second dose of AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Moderna.
Nova Scotia Health resuming services temporarily reduced during third wave
Nova Scotia Health is resuming services that were temporarily reduced to support the COVID-19 response. Officials say teams have begun the process of resuming services as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to decline, while balancing demands from ongoing COVID-19 activity. Services across the province, including surgeries, ambulatory/outpatient clinics, rehabilitation services, diagnostic imaging and laboratory services, were temporarily reduced in late April to free up beds and to allow for the redeployment of staff. Health officials say they are closely monitoring the situation and aim to fully restore service levels at all sites, while maintaining the flexibility to quickly redirect resources if needed due to an increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
Updates from N.S. RCMP
Pictou District RCMP are investigating a stabbing that occurred late Saturday night in Pictou Landing First Nation. Police responded and located three men with non-life-threatening injuries. One of the victims was taken to hospital by EHS. Police say the investigation is ongoing, and the suspects are known to the victims — it is not considered a random act. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Pictou District RCMP at 902-755-4141.
Colchester County District RCMP are investigating a break-in and theft of firearms from Bible Hill.
The home break-in happened last Wednesday between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. The rear window of the garage was forced open to gain entry. The missing items include two black .22 caliber Winchester rifles, and are a unique minibike — a red 1974 Honda Z-50 cc with collapsible handle bars and a sticker on the gas tank showing RC51.
RCMP say the “remote access” computer scam is on the rise in Nova Scotia recently. It typically starts with the unsuspecting victim receiving an email, phone call, or pop-up window advising that an issue or virus has been detected on their computer. The scammer, who identifies themselves as a tech support employee, will ask the victim to download software to allow them access to your computer in order to “fix” the issue. But it really gives them remote access to the computer and the ability to steal sensitive data like banking information. Tech support will never cold call or email you to advise of a computer issue.
N.S. Premier says action is needed to combat acts of racism
Nova Scotia Premier Iain Rankin says action is needed to combat acts of racism such as the hate-motivated killings of four members of a Muslim-Canadian family in London, Ontario last weekend. In a statement released yesterday, Rankin says he’s asked the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives to develop clear definitions of Islamophobia, anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Asian racism and other types of racism and inequity that exist in Nova Scotia. He says the definitions will be used to educate the public on systemic racism and inequity. The premier says he’s also asked the office to consider incorporating the definitions into provincial anti-racism legislation.
Water Notice for Riverton Residents from the Municipality of Pictou County:
Riverton residents may currently notice an odour/taste in the drinking water. The water has been tested and the taste/odour is caused by a naturally occurring compound that occurs in surface waters called Geosmin. Geosmin produces an earthy odor/taste and is also present in certain foods such as beets, spinach and mushrooms. Geosmin occurs naturally and is not harmful. The amount in the water is miniscule, but still causes an odour. The Town of Stellarton is currently performing a study on this issue to determine the best form of treatment. The Municipality of Pictou County will continue to test the water weekly and will continue to monitor water quality. More information on Geosmin can be found at https://stellarton.ca/town-of-stellarton-water-update.html
