Health Canada says the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine can now be given to kids as young as 12.

AP Photo

The vaccine was previously authorized for anyone at least 16 years of age or older.  A trial of more than 2,200 youth in that age group in the United States recorded no cases of COVID-19 among vaccinated kids.  Health Canada’s chief medical adviser Dr. Supriya Sharma says the evidence is there that the vaccine is safe and effective in that age group.  The trial used the same size doses, and the same two-doses requirement as the vaccine for adults. (The Canadian Press)

 

Province reports two COVID-19 deaths Tuesday, 153 new cases

Officials reported a new record high of 153 new COVID-19 cases yesterday – One hundred and thirty nine in the Central Zone, ten in the Eastern Zone, three in the Northern Zone, and one in the Western Zone.  Two deaths related to COVID-19 were also announced on Tuesday.  One of the people who died was a woman in her 50s, and one was a man in his 70s.  Premier Iain Rankin said they both died at home from COVID complications – one was unknown to Public Health, as they had not tested positive before their death.  During yesterday’s media briefing, Rankin said that the province will waive ambulance fees for those who call EHS due to COVID-19 symptoms.

Nova Scotia Health Public Health is advising of potential exposure to COVID-19 at various locations across the province, one Air Canada flight and one West Jet flight. All potential exposure notifications are listed here: http://www.nshealth.ca/covid-exposures

Nova Scotia’s top COVID-19 critical care doctor says it’s possible Halifax may soon end up in a situation where intensive care patients need to be transferred around the province.  Dr. Tony O’Leary says models suggest critical care units in the city could approach capacity by mid-May.  O’Leary says at that point, it’s possible patients will have to be shifted to hospitals outside Halifax with spare critical care beds.  But he says that can be averted if people follow public health measures and help “flatten the curve” of the third wave of the pandemic.

Nova Scotia has announced more than 12-million dollars in new aid for businesses hit hard by the province-wide lockdown imposed due to a third wave of COVID-19.  The funding will go to a new program to help small business owners such as restaurants, spas, hotels, gyms and hair salons.  The Small Impact Business Grant will provide up to five-thousand dollars to eligible businesses directly affected by the restrictions imposed last Wednesday.  The government will also defer fees until June 30th for businesses forced to close or sharply curtail operations while payments of workers’ compensation premiums are deferred until the end of July.

Legislation aimed at ensuring a federal election could be safely held during the COVID-19 pandemic is stalled in the House of Commons, even as Justin Trudeau’s Liberals are fast-approaching the average expiry date for minority governments in Canada.  Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc blames the Conservatives for blocking Bill C-19.  And he suggests that may be because Conservatives actually want to discourage voters from casting ballots should there be an election this summer or fall.  But Conservative House leader Gerard Deltell says the Liberals have only themselves to blame for the fact that C-19 has had only three hours of initial debate in the Commons since its introduction almost five months ago.  Either way, the chances of the bill jumping through all the legislative hoops and passing before Parliament breaks for the summer are wafer thin.  Minority governments in Canada have lasted on average just over a year and a half; Prime Minister Trudeau’s government will pass the 18-month mark in a couple of weeks.  (The Canadian Press)

 

Pictou Landing First Nation Chief Andrea Paul seeking Liberal nomination for Pictou East

Pictou Landing First Nation Chief Andrea Paul will seek the Liberal nomination in the riding of Pictou East in the upcoming provincial election. In an interview with CBC, Paul says she has been considering throwing her hat in the ring for the past few years. She submitted her application to the Liberal Party this week after having conversations with her family and elders in her community. The seat in Pictou East is currently held by Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston. (With files from CBC)

 

The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board has sided with P.Q. Properties Ltd. in the Pictou County construction company’s appeal of a decision by Stellarton town council.  Council had decided last December against approving a development agreement and the company filed an appeal to the UARB.  The Board granted the appeal and ordered approval of the construction of a four-unit development on property located on Bunker Hill in Stellarton. (With files from SaltWire News)

 

Air force chief stands by Cyclone helicopters despite emergency landing, fatal crash

The commander of Canada’s air force says he has full confidence in the military’s new Cyclone helicopters despite several incidents with the aircraft.  Those incidents include an emergency landing in a Halifax park last month and a fatal crash off the coast of Greece last year. A commemoration was held last week at CFB Shearwater to mark the one-year anniversary of the downing of Stalker 22, which killed six Canadian Armed Forces members. The mother of one of those killed has since questioned why the Cyclone fleet was allowed back into the air when the circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation. Royal Canadian Air Force commander Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger says he understands families want answers, but insists the Cyclones underwent extensive testing and study before resuming service a month after Stalker 22 went down. Meinzinger is also playing down last month’s emergency landing in Halifax, suggesting it was a minor issue and that the decision to set down in a park was precautionary rather than an indication of real danger. (The Canadian Press)

 

RCMP investigate theft of dump trailer from an Antigonish business

RCMP photo (submitted)

RCMP are investigating the theft of a Dump Trailer from an Antigonish business over the weekend.  At approximately 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 1, police say someone stole a galvanized 8ft x 12ft “K Trail” dump trailer with Nova Scotia license plate T437508 from a business on South River Rd.  At the time the trailer was taken, it was lined with wooden boards and had been filled with debris from a renovation.  Police have identified a dark colored half ton truck as having been used to haul the trailer away. The truck had large “off-road” tires on it.  The trailer was last seen in Aulds Cove heading towards Cape Breton.  If you may have seen this trailer or have information on this incident, call Antigonish RCMP at 902-863-6500. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.