NO SYMPTOMS? NO PROBLEM FOR GETTING A COVID TEST IN NOVA SCOTIA – STRANG
Even if you don’t have symptoms, you can start booking appointments for COVID-19 testing starting today. It is mainly recommended for people who have a lot of close social interaction through gatherings or are concerned about social contacts.
Dr. Robert Strang says “This is an opportunity for Nova Scotians to help keep each other safe, especially as we approach the holiday season.”
— More information about COVID-19 testing and pop-up locations is available at http://www.nshealth.ca/content/covid-19-testing
Appointments are required for the testing and can be booked until Dec. 13 by using the online assessment tool and choosing the asymptomatic option.
Asymptomatic testing is available for people who:
— do not have symptoms
— have not travelled outside the Atlantic provinces within the past 14 days
— have not visited a potential exposure location
— have not been in contact with someone who has tested positive
Pop-up sites will continue in different locations around the province. Because they use rapid tests, the age limit is 16 and over at these sites.
People getting tested through that process are not required to self-isolate while waiting for their test or results. People getting tested for other reasons can find their self-isolation requirements at http://www.nshealth.ca/what-do-i-need-know-about-covid-19-testing-and-self-isolation.
6 NEW CASES, AND 2 SCHOOL CASES = 8 NEW COVID INFECTIONS IN NOVA SCOTIA
Nova Scotia is reporting six new cases of COVID-19, in addition to the pair of school cases we told you about yesterday in Dartmouth and Berwick, bringing the total for the latest province-wide infection number to 8 people. Of the six newest cases, three have been discovered in the Central Zone and are all related to previously reported cases. One more of the six is a new case in the Western Health Zone, and there are two new cases in the Eastern Zone, which includes Antigonish, Guysborough and Cape Breton. Premier McNeil says it’s clear this virus wants to spread, and we can’t let that happen.
Police have fined a sports training business in Bedford and an organization in Kingston $7500 each for not obeying the public health rules on COVID. The Kingston gathering included about 100 people on the weekend, but RCMP are not naming who was responsible in both the Valley and Bedford investigations leading to those large fines.
Public Health is advising about a flight where exposure to COVID-19 may have been a risk between Toronto and Sydney. Air Canada flight 8210 left Toronto at 8:49 p.m. last Friday, December 4th and arrived in Sydney at 11:55 p.m. The province points out rows 16 to 20 are especially vulnerable, but says that all passengers should continue to self-isolate and self-monitor.
HOUSTON SAYS M-P DEREK SLOAN SIGNING ANTI-VACCINE PETITION WAS BAD MOVE
Provincial PC Leader and Pictou East MLA Tim Houston says the federal Conservative MP who sponsored a petition questioning vaccine safety should “get more informed on the topic,” and says he’s surprised any elected official would sign that kind of a petition. Houston is referring to the petition sponsored by Ontario MP Derek Sloan, which suggests the approval process for the COVID-19 vaccine is akin to human experimentation. Sloan’s leader, Erin O’Toole, says he disagrees with the petition and its contents. In his weekly update, Houston says “Without vaccines, we could still have polio. ‘Measles’ would still be a frequent word in our vocabulary.” The provincial Tory Leader says “Now is not the time to fear monger or float conspiracy theories. Now is the time to trust our Health Canada leaders and the science behind them.” (File Photo)
Ontario’s health minister says getting a coronavirus vaccine won’t be mandatory, but people who wait will have to face more restrictions than people who opt in. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the first COVID-19 vaccine doses are on track to arrive this month, as tough new measures took effect in Prince Edward Island and Ontario hit a new daily case record again yesterday. PEI has entered what it’s calling a two-week “circuit-breaker” lockdown meaning no indoor restaurant dining and no social gatherings on the Island. Trudeau says Ottawa has reached an agreement with Pfizer to have up to 249,000 doses delivered coast to coast, pending Health Canada approval, and that the first shipments could come next week. The first person to be inoculated in Britain is 90-year-old Margaret Keenan, who got her needle this morning.
“I feel so privileged to be the first person vaccinated against COVID-19,” said the former jewelry shop assistant, who wore a surgical mask and a blue Merry Christmas T-shirt decorated with a cartoon penguin wearing a Santa hat and red scarf. “It’s the best early birthday present I could wish for because it means I can finally look forward to spending time with my family and friends in the New Year after being on my own for most of the year.”
The first 800,000 doses are going to people in the U-K who are over 80, who are either hospitalized or already have outpatient appointments scheduled, along with nursing home workers. (Canadian Press)
LOCAL MAN IN COURT FOR HITTING POLE THAT STRUCK NEW GLASGOW HOME
An 18-year-old man is facing charges after a car struck a power pole on New Glasgow’s Jury Street back in September. Regional Police responded around 12:45 on the morning September 15th to find a Honda Civic had struck a power pole. Part of the pole had fallen through an adjacent home. The home was seriously damaged and the two people in the car took off. New Glasgow Police say the charges the 18-year old man is facing are dangerous driving and failure to remain, with his date in front of Pictou County judge slated for April.
NOVA SCOTIA POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS GETTING $$$$
If you’re a college or university student in Nova Scotia, some financial help is on the way. The province is providing a one-time $750 COVID grant if you qualified for student assistance during the current academic year. It’s partly to offset the lack of work during the pandemic. The money will be sent to some students in January and the rest in the spring or next summer.
TRURO PRISON STABBING NETS ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE
The charge resulting from the weekend stabbing at the Truro womens’ prison is attempted murder. A 31 year-old inmate is facing that, and a weapons charge. The victim, a 39 year old inmate received a number of stab wounds and was transported to the Truro Hospital, but has now been released.
