BIG DROP AT THE PUMPS AFTER UARB INVOKES INTERRUPTER CLAUSE ON THE WEEKEND
Drivers had a surprise at the pumps over the weekend. The UARB invoked the interrupter clause at midnight on Friday, lowering the minimum price for gas by a little over 8 cents. Locally, regular self-serve is now at $124.1 per litre. Diesel prices remain unchanged at $119.1.
PROVINCE REPORTS 6 NEW CASES OF COVID-19 ON SUNDAY
N.S. Health officials reported six new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, making it the biggest single-day increase the province has seen in over two weeks. Four of the cases are in the Central zone, three are close contacts to previously reported cases and the other is related to travel outside Atlantic Canada. The other two cases are in the Eastern zone and are related to travel outside Atlantic Canada, all have been self-isolating, as required. Two previously reported cases in Nova Scotia are now considered resolved, with the total number of active cases increasing to 21 over the weekend.
Nova Scotia Health Public Health is advising of potential exposure to COVID-19 at a number of locations in the Central Zone. All potential exposure notifications are listed here: www.nshealth.ca/covid-exposures
N.S. EXPANDS COVID-19 VACCINE GROUPS
Photo credit: CBC
Anyone 80 and older, born between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31, can start to book their COVID-19 vaccine beginning at 7:00 this morning (Monday, March 22). In addition to the community clinic appointments being made available today, 2,600 appointments will also open for booking at 15 more pharmacies tomorrow (March 23). These pharmacies will be for anyone who is 80 and older and will offer the Moderna vaccine. Locally, Pharmacy First in Stellarton is included on the list. COVID-19 vaccination appointments must be made online at www.novascotia.ca/vaccination or by phone at 1-833-797-7772. Appointments cannot be booked directly through a community clinic, pharmacy or physician. Walk-ins will be turned away.
Pharmacies open for booking Tuesday, March 23, for Nova Scotians who are 80 and older:
— Pharmacy First, 266 Foord St., Stellarton
— Drugstore Pharmacy Antigonish, 26 Market St., Antigonish
— Guardian Elmsdale Pharmacy, 269 NS-214, Elmsdale
— Kyte’s Pharmacy, 920 Cole Harbour Rd., Cole Harbour
— Lawtons Antigonish, 133 Church St., Antigonish
— Lawtons Sheet Harbour, 22624 Nova Scotia Trunk 7, Sheet Harbour
— Lawtons Shelburne, 115 King St., Shelburne
— Lawtons Yarmouth, 76 Starrs Rd., Yarmouth
— Medicine Shoppe Port Hawkesbury, 708 Reeves St., Unit B, Port Hawkesbury
— Sentrex Pharmacy, 110 Chain Lake Dr., Unit 3H, Halifax
— Shoppers Drug Mart Digby (Evangeline Mall), 95 Warwick St., Digby
— Shoppers Drug Mart Bridgewater, 421 Lahave St. #300, Bridgewater
— Stones Drug Store, 491 Chebucto St., Baddeck
— TLC Pharmasave Shelburne, 157 Water St., Shelburne
— Wilson’s Pharmasave Berwick, 213 Commercial St., Berwick
Meanwhile, Nova Scotia is reversing a previous decision and will move front-line police officers ahead in the province’s vaccination schedule. Front-line police officers have been added to a list of people eligible for vaccination during the second phase of the province’s rollout plan, joining groups such as long-haul truck drivers and hospital workers over the age of 60.
Canada’s chief public health officer says the expansion of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout has resulted in a drop in the number of infections in people over the age of 80. Dr. Theresa Tam says the reduction in cases among older adults, along with fewer outbreaks in long term care settings, can reassure Canadians that vaccines will bring more and greater benefits in the weeks to come. Her statement comes as several provinces are preparing to expand their immunization campaigns in the coming days. (The Canadian Press)
PROVINCE OPENS BORDER WITH NEW BRUNSWICK
Nova Scotia opened its provincial boundary with New Brunswick over the weekend, citing low COVID-19 case numbers in both provinces. Premier Iain Rankin made the announcement Friday — only a day after the four Atlantic premiers announced the return of the regional travel bubble by April 19. The change means New Brunswick residents travelling to Nova Scotia will no longer be required to self-isolate for 14-days upon arrival, and Nova Scotians who visit New Brunswick will not need to isolate when they return home. Anyone travelling to New Brunswick, including Nova Scotians and New Brunswickers returning from Nova Scotia, are still required to self-isolate for two weeks upon arrival.
NEW GLASGOW POLICE CHARGE WOMAN FOR FAILING TO SELF-ISOLATE
New Glasgow Regional Police have charged a 57-year-old woman for failing to self-isolate for 14-days after arriving in Nova Scotia. Police say they received a complaint on Saturday morning and responded to a business parking lot on Westville Road where they located the woman, who entered Nova Scotia from Alberta and failed to complete her 14-day self-quarantine. She was charged under Section 71 (1) (b) of the Nova Scotia Health Protection Act for failing to comply to the regulations.
N.S. ANNOUNCES INVESTMENT IN COMMUNITY AND AMATEUR SPORT
The province says they’re investing $5 million to help make Nova Scotia’s sport system more inclusive and accessible, making it the biggest investment in community and amateur sport in recent history. The investment will focus on removing barriers for those who want to participate in community and competitive sport but haven’t been able to because of ability, limited equipment, funding or programming. The funding will also support a more diverse and representative sport leadership model, promoting coaching opportunities and creating new programming for women, Mi’kmaq, African Nova Scotians and people of African descent, people of colour, and those who coach people with physical and intellectual disabilities.
The investment will focus on these areas:
— $2 million in additional funding for KidSport to allow more kids and families to access sport
— $2 million to increase access to recreation facilities and improve the availability of accessible equipment across the province
— $500,000 for Sport Nova Scotia’s ParaSport program
— $500,000 to improve equity in coaching
Nova Scotia also recently announced a $16.8 million investment that will allow four universities to expand and enhance their computer science programs. Dalhousie will receive $13.3 million, Acadia will get $1.47 million, Saint Mary’s will see $1.27 million and St. F-X will get $794,000, based on the total enrollment for each institution’s computer science program. An advisory group made up of representatives of the Departments of Labour and Advanced Education, inclusive Economic Growth and Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services will work with the schools to oversee their proposals and how the funds will be spent. The provincial government says producing more digital talent in Nova Scotia will strengthen the province’s start-up ecosystem across all areas from clean tech to the agri-food and ocean sciences.
Aberdeen Health Foundation AGM 2021 Set for Thursday
The public is invited to attend the Aberdeen Health Foundation, Annual General Meeting this Thursday, March 25th. The panel will discuss “Lessons from COVID-19″. From caring for the region’s first COVID patients and responding to the uneven impacts of the disease, the Foundation will explore how responsive innovation has served the community and how it will continue to help change health outcomes for the better. The AGM and presentation will take place at 6:30 pm. Due to continuing social restrictions and protocols this will be a virtual event. Link to meeting here: aberdeenhealthfoundation.ca/AGM2021
