***Nova Scotia has expanded its COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to people between the ages 25 to 29. Appointments for Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines became available through the province’s vaccine booking website earlier this morning. On Monday, the province announced that all Nova Scotians 12 and up should be able to book a vaccination by next week. About 40 per cent of eligible Nova Scotians have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine as of Wednesday. Appointments for the vaccine must be made online or by phone at 1-833-797-7772.
Two deaths, 83 new cases of COVID-19, 164 recoveries announced Wednesday – provincewide lockdown extended
The provincial government extended its provincewide lockdown order until at least the second week of June, as health officials reported two more COVID-19-related deaths and 83 new infections on Wednesday. Premier Iain Rankin also announced that schools will remain closed to students for the rest of the academic year and instead offer only remote learning.
Health officials said a man in his 60s died in the province’s eastern zone and a woman in her 60s died in the Halifax area, bringing the total number of COVID-19-related deaths in Nova Scotia to 74. Wednesday’s new cases included 59 in the central zone, 19 in the eastern zone, three in the western region and two in the northern zone. The 19 cases in the eastern zone are all in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Public Health has been unable to find the origin of a number of those cases, indicating that there is community spread in Sydney. Chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang said the majority of the Sydney cases are in the 20- to 30-year-old range which is “most concerning” since the province hasn’t seen this type of local transmission in other areas. The province has 1,262 active reported cases of COVID-19 and 101 people in hospital with the disease, including 20 in intensive care. Dr. Strang said the province is making progress but the number of cases is still too high and they are being identified throughout the province, placing pressure on the health system.
With the Victoria Day long weekend approaching, Dr. Strang cautioned people to adhere to travel and gathering restrictions. People are allowed to go to their cottage or to a campsite outside their communities, but only if they are staying there for the season, Strang said, adding that they can’t travel back and forth. Strang said it doesn’t matter that some feel it’s not dangerous to travel directly from one point to another without contact with others. He said it was “an extremely privileged position to be in” regarding people who want to travel to a second home when others are struggling to pay bills or are struggling for their lives in hospital.
Dr. Strang also addressed border restrictions and the safe check-in application system. He said starting this morning, permanent residents will get automatic approval to enter Nova Scotia providing they present documented proof at the border, which could include an ID, driver’s licence or utility bill showing a permanent address. The system is also being broadened for rotational workers. Strang said one full application with the necessary documents will still be required, such as a letter from an employer. But moving forward, those workers will have a record on file so future applications can be approved faster. (With files from the Canadian Press & CBC)
By the end of the day, nearly 49 per cent of all Canadians should have their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. With the US at just over 48 per cent, that will put Canada slightly ahead of its southern neighbour in at least one of the markers in the race to herd immunity against COVID-19. Canada is set to get one dose to more than half the population before the end of the long weekend, but remains far back of the pack in the full-vaccination race, with fewer than four per cent of Canadians fully immunized. It is a marked turnaround for Canada, which just one month ago remained well behind the global leaders in overall vaccinations as Canadians looked with vaccine envy to places like the U.S., the United Kingdom, Israel and Chile. Almost 18 million Canadians have received at least one dose, with an average of about 330,000 new people joining the vaccinated group daily over the last week. (The Canadian Press)
Four charged in murder of man whose body was found last year in burned-out van: RCMP
Nova Scotia RCMP have charged four people in the death of a man whose body was found in a burned-out van almost a year ago. The Mounties issued a statement yesterday saying Rebecca Elizabeth Moir of Five Islands, and Brandon Doucette of L’Ardoise had been charged with murdering 51-year-old Robert Michael Campbell of Falmouth. They say Moir, 37, and Doucette, 28, were arrested without incident at an undisclosed location on Tuesday. An RCMP spokesman said Wednesday the Crown has yet to decide whether the charges should be first- or second-degree murder. Meanwhile, Darroll Murray Atwell of Robinson Corner and Devyn Adam Dennis of Bishopville were arrested last Friday and charged with lesser offences, including improperly interfering with human remains, break and enter, arson and being an accessory to a criminal offence. (The Canadian Press)
N.B. fuel prices up slightly
A small increase in New Brunswick fuel prices overnight. Regular self-serve is up four-tenths of a cent and diesel increased nine-tenths of a cent. Nova Scotia will set its fuel prices tonight at midnight.
The Mentoring Plus Strategy and Healthy Pictou County partner to support mentoring the next generation of healthcare workers
Bill Skinner, semi-retired community pharmacist and former Manager Lawtons Drugs is one of The Mentoring Plus Strategy mentors. (submitted)
A new partnership is forging together in Pictou County to support prospective and current students looking for support and guidance through their journey in the healthcare field. The Mentoring Plus Strategy, which uses an intergenerational approach to connect knowledgeable retirees with individuals in need of mentorship, has partnered with Healthy Pictou County, a physician-led community effort supporting the attraction and retention of healthcare providers and students in our community. The partnership provides those from Pictou County considering or currently in any area of healthcare with the introduction to a knowledgeable retiree in our community, who is willing to offer guidance, mentorship and advice. Those interested are encouraged to reach out for more information by contacting Mentoring Plus at info@mentoringplus.ca or by phoning 902-921-3094.
United Way Funds 3-Year Food Security Initiatives in Pictou County
The United Way of Pictou County says the response has been overwhelming for a new 3-year Food Security Program it announced in March. The program is aimed at supporting local initiatives, programs and services that help people access sufficient, safe, affordable, and nutritious food. In total, 26 programs will be receiving nearly $300,000 over the 3-year period of the new Food Security Program”. Twenty five other programs had previously been approved through the United Way of Pictou County’s annual community investment process.
The following organizations have received approval for funding through the UWPC Food Security Program:
· Aberdeen Palliative Care Society: Food Accessibility for Clients (April 2021 – Dec. 2023)
· A.G. Baillie Memorial School – CCRCE: A.G. Billie Memorial School Food Program (May 2021 – Dec. 2023)
· Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pictou County: Big Brunch Little Brunch (April 2021 – Dec. 2023)
· Dr. W. A. MacLeod Consolidated – CCRCE: Free Breakfast/Lunch Program (Sept. 2021 – Dec. 2023)
· Frank H. MacDonald Academy – CCRCE: Food Backpack Program for Students (Sept. 2021 – Dec. 2023)
· G. R. Saunders Elementary School – CCRCE: Let’s Do Lunch! (Sept. 2021 – Dec. 2023)
· McCulloch Education Centre – CCRCE: Food Backpack Program (Sept. 2021 – Dec. 2023)
· North Nova Education Centre (CCRCE): Feed North Nova (Sept. 2021 – Dec. 2023)
· Northumberland Regional High School-CCRCE: NRHS Karma Closet (Sept. 2021 – Dec. 2023)· Pictou Academy – CCRCE: PA Chefs (Sept. 2021 – Dec. 2023)
· Pictou County Continuous Learning Association: PiCCoLA Improved Literacy through Nutrition & Food Literacy
(April 2021 – Dec. 2023)
· Pictou County Roots for Youth Society: Food Sustainability (April 2021 – Dec. 2023)
· Pictou County Women’s Resource and Sexual Assault Centre : Women Together Food Security
(April 2021 – Dec. 2023)
· Pictou Landing First Nations: Community Garden (2021, 2022, 2023)
· Pictou United Church: Seeds of Hope Community Garden – Accessibility (Non-Denominational)(2021-2022)
· Salt Springs Elementary – CCRCE: Free Student Lunch (Sept. 2021 – Dec. 2023)
· Scotsburn Elementary – CCRCE: Breakfast and Food Backpack Program (Sept. 2021 – Dec. 2023)
· Summer Street: Prepared Meals Program (April 2021 – Dec. 2023)
· The John Howard Society of Nova Scotia: MEGG Food Security Program (April 2021 – Dec. 2023)
· The Kidney Foundation of Canada: Pictou County Short-Term Emergency Food Funding
(April 2021 – Dec. 2023)
· The Shepherd’s Lunch Room: Re-opening and Sustainability of the Lunch Room (April 2021 – Dec. 2023)
· Thorburn Consolidated – CCRCE: Food Backpack Program (Sept. 2021 – Dec. 2023)
· Trenton Elementary – CCRCE: TES Food Backpack Program (Sept. 2021 – Dec. 2023)
· Trenton Middle School (CCRCE): Food Backpack Program (Sept. 2021 – Dec. 2023)
· Walter Duggan Consolidated – CCRCE: Lunch on Us! (Sept. 2021 – Dec. 2023)
· West Pictou Consolidated – CCRCE: Backpacks/Breakfast to Lunch (Sept. 2021 – Dec. 2023)
The following organizations were previously approved and awarded funding through the
UWPC’s 2021 Community Investment Fund:
· Chad Transit: Sunday Drives for Seniors/Socially Isolated
· Family Services of Eastern Nova Scotia: Family Subsidy Program
· G. R. Saunders Elementary School (CCRCE): Food Insecurity Initiatives (ends June 2021)
· Highland Community Residential Services: United in Friendship (Fun Friday/Saturday Respite) Program
· Highland Community Residential Services: Out and About Program
· McCulloch Education Centre (CCRCE): Food Insecurity Initiatives (TD Bank Donor Directed ends June 2021)
· New Glasgow Academy (CCRCE): Panther Pantry Free Lunch Program (ends June 2022)
· North Nova Education Centre (CCRCE): Food Insecurity Initiatives (ends June 2021)
· Nova Scotia 211: General Operations
· Pictou Academy (CCRCE): Food Insecurity Initiatives (TD Bank Donor Directed ends June 2021)· Pictou County Opportunity for Men: New Leaf’s Changing Male Conversations Program
· Pictou County Roots for Youth Society: Food Security and Shelter
· Pictou County Seniors Council: Seniors Outreach Coordinator
· Pictou County Women’s Resource and Sexual Assault Centre: Girls Leadership Program
· Pictou County Women’s Resource and Sexual Assault Centre: Mapping our Road to Power and Healing
(MORPH)
· Pictou United Church: Ryan’s Case for Smiles (Non-Denominational)
· Pictou United Church: Seeds of Hope Community Garden (Non-Denominational)
· Scotsburn Elementary (CCRCE): Food Insecurity Initiatives (ends June 2021)
· Tearmann Society for Abused Women: House Coordinator Position
· The John Howard Society of Nova Scotia: COVID Relief – Food Security, Health & Hygiene Employment
and Transportation
· Trenton Elementary (CCRCE): Food Insecurity Initiatives (ends June 2021)
· Trenton Middle School (CCRCE): Food Backpack Program (ends June 2021)
· Trenton Middle School (CCRCE): Personal Care Items Locker
· Viola’s Place Society: Back Shift Employee
· West Pictou Consolidated (CCRCE): Food Insecurity Initiatives (TD Bank Donor Directed ends June 2021)
