***Starting today, people aged 20 and older can book appointments for the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines at clinics across the province. COVID-19 vaccination appointments must be made online at https://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.
Nova Scotia reports 49 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday
The province reported 49 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday. Of the new cases, 41 are in the central zone, while the other eight cases are in the eastern zone. After 98 recoveries, there are now 894 active cases in the province, according to the province’s COVID-19 dashboard. The province said 72 people are in hospital, including 19 in the intensive-care unit. Over the long weekend, the active case count dropped below 1,000 for the first time since May 3.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang says that while it’s good news that the number of positive cases being reported is lower, testing numbers are also down. The reminder for Nova Scotians is that they should remain as close to their home and community as possible, unless travel is essential for work, caregiving, necessary shopping or medical appointments, including vaccination appointments. Premier Iain Rankin and Dr. Robert Strang will provide a COVID-19 update today at 3 p.m.
N.S. Premier receives his first dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Premier Rankin was among the more than 1,000 Nova Scotians getting vaccinated at a clinic set up inside the Halifax Forum on Monday. On Saturday, the province marked a milestone of half a million vaccine doses administered. Rankin said Nova Scotia is “well ahead of schedule” and some people, including health-care workers and people in an older age category, can expect second doses starting in late June. He also said the province will not be deviating from the age-based approach when it comes to second doses. A technical briefing will be held today to provide more updates on the province’s vaccination plan. (With files from CBC)
RCMP investigate shooting in Pictou
RCMP in Pictou County are investigating a shooting that sent a 32-year-old to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The Mounties say they received the call early yesterday morning of a shooting at a “commercial lodging.” The RCMP say they believe the parties know each other and police have a heavy presence in the area as they continue their investigation. Investigators are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the RCMP. (The Canadian Press)
Pictou District RCMP arrested an impaired driver over the long weekend. Police say they stopped a vehicle on highway 104 near Mount Thom, just before 9:00 AM. on Saturday and arrested a 29 year old driver who had a blood alcohol concentration of more than twice the legal limit. The driver was charged with operating a conveyance while impaired by alcohol and operation of a conveyance while having a blood alcohol level over the legal limit. Because the driver was from Halifax, they were also charged under the Health Protection Act for non-essential travel outside their municipality.
New Glasgow Regional Police lay charges at the start of the long weekend for failing to follow Public Health Orders
New Glasgow Regional Police have charged six people on for violating the Health Protection and Emergency Management acts. A 35-year-old man was charged for travelling from Antigonish County for non-essential business after a report of a suspicious vehicle on Brother Street mid-morning on Friday (May 21st). Police say a 25-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman were charged for travelling from Hants County for non-essential business after officers responded to a 911 call about a verbal altercation on Westville Road around 1 in the afternoon that same day. Both incidents carried fines of $697.50. Police then responded to a motel on East River Road just before 6 p.m. and charged three people for failing to limit social gatherings to their household. Two men, ages 34 and 35, as well as a 26-year-old woman each face fines of $2,422.
Halifax District R-C-M-P have charged nine people for violating the Health Protection Act at a house party in Cole Harbour. They say police attended a residence on Bissett Road on Sunday night and heard loud music but were refused entry into the home. Police waited nearby the residence and issued the nine tickets as people left the party. The tickets come with a fine of over 24-hundred dollars each and more may be issued as the investigation continues.
Police were out with an increase in enforcement and conducting checkpoints on Saturday as it was National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day – all part of the Canada Road Safety Week campaign. In 2020, Nova Scotia RCMP responded to 75 fatal or serious injury collisions where impaired driving, distracted driving, aggressive driving or not wearing a seatbelt or wearing one incorrectly were contributing factors. In the same year, RCMP laid 14,343 charges in Nova Scotia for offences relating to these factors.
