COVID-19 vaccine clinic offering Pfizer in Pictou today
NS Health says a drop-in vaccine clinic will be available at the Pictou Legion today, July 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This clinic will be offering first and second doses of Pfizer for ages 12 and up. To receive your second dose, you must have received your first dose at least 28 days ago.
In addition, the New Glasgow Drive-Thru Covid-19 Vaccine Clinic also has afternoon appointments available for ages 12 and over (Pfizer) – book up to 4 people per car – 678 East River Road – Aberdeen Shopping Centre (parking lot). Bookings for this clinic can be made online.
On Thursday, Nova Scotia reported one new case of COVID-19 and no recoveries. The case is in Central Zone and is related to travel. As of today, Nova Scotia has 10 active cases of COVID-19 and there are currently no hospitalizations.
The federal Conservatives are urging the Liberal government to do more to ensure that Canadians who received two different doses of COVID-19 vaccines are able to travel internationally. Tory health critic Michelle Rempel Garner has written a letter to Health Minister Patty Hajdu highlighting multiple reports of Canadians being barred entry to countries due to their mixed vaccinations. The Calgary Nose Hill MP says in the absence of federal direction, provincial health authorities have begun to offer third doses to Canadians who need to travel where their vaccination status is not recognized abroad. She says the Quebec Health Department is telling potential recipients the safety of this practice is unclear and that they should seek advice to weigh the risks of a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines. Rempel Garner is calling on the Liberal government to release federal guidelines on the issue of third doses so that Canadians can make safe, informed choices. In the absence of data to support third doses, she says the government must release a plan to have a mixed vaccination status recognized internationally. (The Canadian Press)
More than 10,000 early ballots cast in Nova Scotia
Elections Nova Scotia says so far just over 10,000 early votes have been cast in the provincial election scheduled for August 17th. As of Wednesday, the agency had received 2,158 applications for a write-in ballot. At about the same point in the 2017 provincial general election, 195 votes had been cast by write-in ballot. Meanwhile, as of Wednesday, 7,882 votes have been cast at the returning offices polls in the 55 electoral districts, more than double at the same time of the last election.
Two of the three major parties in the Nova Scotia election campaign are promising improvements for the long-term care sector. Liberal Leader Iain Rankin visited a long-term care home in Chester, where he repeated a promise to make the well-being of seniors in care a priority if his party is re-elected next month. The Liberals have pledged 152.6-million dollars to renovate and replace more than two-thousand beds in 24 facilities across the province. But N-D-P leader Gary Burrill accused the Liberals of “eight years of inaction” on long-term care and promised to mandate 4.1 hours of care a day for each resident. Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston says that by opening up operating rooms beyond the current Monday to Friday schedule, more Nova Scotians will receive critically-needed surgeries in a timely manner.
Meanwhile, N-D-P leader Gary Burrill is expected to make an announcement on mental health today as the provincial election nears the end of its second week. Mental health has been one of the areas of health care that all three of the main parties agree needs improvement. The New Democrats have already pledged to create as many as 14 mental health clinics across the province, with two to be established in Cape Breton. Earlier this week, the Progressive Conservatives promised access to publicly funded, universal mental health care and to establish a mental health crisis phone line. The Liberals say they will spend $4 million annually to launch eight new mental health walk-in clinics in areas with the greatest need and with close access to regional hospitals that can provide further treatment as needed. (With files from the Canadian Press)
Nova Scotia Observes Emancipation Day
Nova Scotia will observe Sunday, August 1 as Emancipation Day, recognizing the anniversary of the abolishment of slavery across the British Empire. The Slavery Abolition Act 1833, which took effect on Aug. 1, 1834, legislated the official end of the enslavement of about 800,000 people of African descent throughout the British colonies. However, slavery unofficially continued in some colonies beyond this date. Dr. Késa Munroe-Anderson, deputy minister of Communities, Culture and Heritage says “Emancipation Day is a time of learning and reflection, not just for people of African descent, but for all Nova Scotians.” Throughout August, municipalities and communities will hold in-person and virtual Emancipation Day ceremonies, activities and projects, while following COVID-19 protocols. For a list of events happening around the province, visit http://emancipationdayns.ca/
Fuel prices up in the province
Gas and diesel prices rose overnight in Nova Scotia. Gasoline prices rose 3.2-cents per litre to sit locally at 138.4 cents per litre for regular self-serve. Diesel prices rose 2.9 to 3-cent cents per litre across the province, putting the local cost at 126.2 cents per litre.
Canada wins gold medal in women’s eight rowing
Photo credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
The Canadian women’s eight rowing crew has captured gold at the Tokyo Olympics. The eight rowers crossed the line first in the final in a time of five minutes 59.13 seconds at Sea Forest Waterway. It’s Canada’s first gold in the event since the 1992 Barcelona Games. Canada will leave the Tokyo Olympics with two rowing medals, after Victoria’s Caileigh Filmer and Hillary Janssens of Surrey, B.C., took bronze in Thursday’s women’s pair. Canada has now won three gold medals, three silver, and 5 bronze. (With files from the Canadian Press)
