N.S. Health reporting 262 patients in hospital with COVID-19, 10 people in ICU
Nova Scotia Health is reporting there are 262 patients in hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 10 people are in I-C-U. Among that total, there are 127 inpatients identified as positive on arrival but were admitted for a different reason, while 79 patients contracted COVID-19 after being admitted to hospital. The number of Nova Scotia Health employees off work is expected to be updated today.
Nova Scotia Health’s COVID-19 vaccine outreach clinics are offering drop-in vaccines across the province this week to help support vaccine accessibility. The outreach vaccine clinics are focused on providing first and second doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Nova Scotians who are not yet fully vaccinated. One clinic location is: Tatamagouche Fire Hall (Pfizer – anyone age 5+) Today (Tuesday, April 5) from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Ottawa is poised to decide whether or not to include boosters in the next version of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for its workers. The Treasury Board dictates the government must review the need for the policy after six months, which means this week. Despite that, the Public Service Alliance of Canada says it’s in the dark about which direction the government will go. As it stands, any worker in the core public administration must attest that they are fully vaccinated or risk being put on leave without pay.
A new survey suggests Canadians are becoming more divided, with some saying issues have led them to reduce contact with friends or family. The national phone survey by the Canadian Hub for Applied and Social Research at the University of Saskatchewan asked just over 1,000 people about the issues that divide them the most. More than 70% said the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 federal election were the two most divisive issues over the past year. About 40 per cent of those surveyed said they have reduced contact with friends or family over an argument about the pandemic or politics.
Nova Scotia PCs criticized for rushing changes to health-related legislation
Nova Scotia’s governing Tories are drawing fire for rushing changes to health-related legislation despite objections from experts who say more time is needed for review. Privacy commissioner Tricia Ralph told the law amendments committee yesterday that her office wasn’t consulted on whether changes to the Personal Health Information Act respect privacy. And Dalhousie University law professor Archie Kaiser accused the government of “indecent haste” to push through changes to the law governing patients who are forced into treatment for psychiatric problems. The Tories used their majority on the committee to thwart opposition motions that would have sent both bills back to the Health Department for further review.
NSLC announces For the Good of Our Community Fund grant recipients
The NSLC established the For the Good of Our Community Fund in the fall of 2021, and thirteen organizations have been named recipients of this year’s fund. They will receive a total of up to $140,000. Recipients include VON Meals on Wheels, which will use the funds to expand and deliver more than 9,400 meals a month to seniors and those with disabilities; the Canadian Red Cross and the Nova Scotia SPCA.
Provincial Campsite Bookings Begin Opening Today
People planning a summer camping adventure can make reservations at Nova Scotia’s provincial parks starting today at 9am. Because of the anticipated high demand on the reservation system, bookings at the province’s 20 campgrounds will open over three days – April 5-7. A schedule of which campgrounds open their campsite bookings each day is posted on the Nova Scotia provincial parks website. Most day-use and camping parks are scheduled to open Victoria Day weekend in May with others opening in June.
