N.S. reports 35 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday

On Wednesday, Nova Scotia reported 35 new cases of COVID-19 and 31 recoveries.  There are 16 cases in Northern Zone, 16 cases in Central Zone and three cases in Western Zone. There is a new cluster of cases in a localized community in Northern Zone, and there is also evidence of limited community spread in Halifax and parts of northern Nova Scotia. As of today, Nova Scotia has 203 active cases of COVID-19. Of those, 15 people are in hospital, including eight in ICU.

Nova Scotia Health is advising of potential COVID-19 exposures in a number of locations.  As a result it has issued COVID PRECAUTION NOTIFICATIONS for:

• Boston Pizza (689 Westville Road, New Glasgow) on November 26 between 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
• Pictou County Wellness Centre (2 – 2756 Westville Road, New Glasgow) on November 28 between 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

All potential exposure notifications are listed here: http://www.nshealth.ca/covid-exposures

 

Nova Scotia begins vaccinating children against COVID-19

Dr. Robert Strang greets eight-year-old Jack Woodhead at the IWK COVID-19 vaccine clinic for children ages 5 to 11 (Photo credit: Communications Nova Scotia)

On Wednesday, Nova Scotia started vaccinating  children aged 5 to 11 against COVID-19. Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, says a third of those children who are now eligible have booked their appointments. He says the hope is to get all children in that 5 to 11 age group their first dose of vaccine before Christmas.

 

Province unveils new rule restricting travel for sports for kids 11 and under

Photo: hockeynovascotia.ca

Nova Scotia has announced new restrictions on sports, arts and culture events involving children under the age of 12. Chief medical officer Dr. Robert Strang says the restrictions are being imposed effective immediately because COVID-19 is spreading among younger children through the events.

 

Nova Scotia announces grant up to $500 for low-income seniors

Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Barbara Adams announces the new Seniors Care Grant at the Dartmouth Seniors Service Centre on Dec. 1 (Photo credit: Communications Nova Scotia)

Nova Scotians aged 65 and older can now apply for a new Seniors Care Grant that will help them stay in their own homes longer. Applications opened Wednesday.  The grant provides up to $500 in funding for eligible seniors who need help around their homes. Covered expenses include snow removal, small household repairs, lawn care, grocery delivery and other needs.

 

MOPC ends 2020-2021 fiscal year in good financial standing despite pandemic challenges

Municipality of Pictou County Council accepted the audited financial statements for the 2020-2021 fiscal year during a special meeting on Monday, which showed a $1.1 million consolidated surplus for the year. The general operations of the Municipality contributed $738,996 towards the surplus. The largest revenue source continues to be property taxes, which came in at over $15.1 million, and the largest expenditure was protective services at more than $6.6 million.  Warden Robert Parker says the surplus was less than the previous year, but that’s because the federal grant, previously known as the gas tax, was doubled the year before.

 

Fuel prices back up in N.B. after Wednesday’s price decrease

The decrease in fuel prices lasted all of 24 hours in New Brunswick.  Gas had fallen 9.7 cents per litre yesterday, but went back up by five cents per litre overnight.  Diesel went up 5.3 cents per litre today, after a drop of nine cents per litre yesterday.  Nova Scotia sets its fuel prices at midnight tonight.

 

The Discovery Centre and IGNITE Atlantic partner to bring inclusive youth programming across N.S.

Photo (contributed)

The Discovery Centre and IGNITE Atlantic have announced a partnership to support young people from Primary to Grade 12 throughout rural Nova Scotia.  They’ll be providing students with exposure to STEAM programming and experiences — that’s STEAM for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. It’s a partnership that’s the first of its kind in Nova Scotia.  Programming activities focused on STEAM innovation and entrepreneurship will be held at locations throughout Nova Scotia starting in early 2022.

 

Sports:

After 2 big wins on the road last weekend, the Crushers are back on home ice tonight to take on Yarmouth.  Puck drops at 7pm at the Wellness Centre