Province reports 14 new COVID-19 cases Thursday
On Thursday, Nova Scotia reported 14 new cases of COVID-19 and nine recoveries. Twelve cases are in Central Zone, one case is in Eastern Zone, and the other is in Western Zone. Nova Scotia has 97 active cases of COVID-19. Of those, six people are in hospital COVID-19 units, including three in ICU.
Health officials say 69 per cent of Nova Scotia’s population has now had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Robert Strang says a large shipment of the Moderna vaccine is expected in the coming weeks and it will likely advance the province’s goal of having 75 percent of the population fully vaccinated. The province is aiming to hit this goal in early to mid-September but Strang says that could change to mid-August as long as people continue to seek a second shot as soon as they are eligible. As of Wednesday, 735-thousand and eight doses of vaccine have been administered, with 66-thousand 248 people having received a booster shot.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization said Thursday people who got the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine as their first dose should get Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna for their second shot. On June 1, NACI had said AstraZeneca recipients “could” get Pfizer or Moderna for their second shot if they wanted, but Thursday went further to say an mRNA vaccine was the “preferred” choice. “Since NACI first looked at mixed vaccine schedules, new evidence is starting to emerge suggesting immune responses are better when a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine is followed by an mRNA vaccine as a second dose,” said NACI vice-chair Dr. Shelley Deeks, in the new guidance documents. NACI also updated its previous recommendation that people at high risk of exposure to, or serious illness from, COVID-19, could opt to get AstraZeneca rather than waiting for Pfizer or Moderna. Now NACI says everyone should always get the mRNA vaccines first, unless they are allergic to them. Deeks said the advice is based on the growing supply of Pfizer and Moderna, and the risk of vaccine-induced blood clots associated with AstraZeneca. But she is still trying to reassure people who got one or two doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine that they are nevertheless well protected. “Anyone who has already received two doses of AstraZeneca/Covishield can rest assured that they are protected, particularly against severe illness,” she said. “There is no need for a third dose at this time.” Dr. Theresa Tam, the chief public health officer of Canada, said the new evidence in favour of mixing different types of vaccines included four studies in Germany. (The Canadian Press)
Nova Scotia surprised by New Brunswick’s ‘risk tolerance’ in opening to Canada
Nova Scotia’s premier says he is surprised at how quickly New Brunswick has opened its borders to travellers from the rest of Canada. Thursday’s move by Nova Scotia’s neighbour comes almost a week ahead of a planned regional reopening by the other three Atlantic provinces on June 23. “I was surprised that their risk tolerance is different,” Iain Rankin told reporters during a briefing Thursday. While Rankin was careful not to comment further, he said the regional partners would continue talks on how to approach reopening, and he emphasized that currently his province plans a wider reopening to the rest of Canada on July 14. Under New Brunswick’s opening, travellers from the Atlantic region don’t have to self-isolate upon arrival, and neither do those from elsewhere in Canada who have received a first dose of vaccine. Unvaccinated visitors from outside the region will have to isolate and produce a negative test before being released from quarantine. Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, said the province will be watching infection levels in New Brunswick closely as a result of that province’s early decision. “It will take at least two weeks to see the impact of their opening,” Strang told reporters. “They certainly are introducing a higher level of risk into their province and we are watching … because that has implications for us.” (The Canadian Press)
Gas down slightly, diesel up in N.S.
A slight drop in gas prices in the province overnight. Regular self-serve gas in the local area is now $1.303 per litre, down seven-tenths of a cent. Diesel is up one cent per litre to $1.229.
Long Term Care and Peace by Chocolate announce partnership
Photo: Glen Haven Manor honouring everyday heroes with Hero Bars in Pictou Landing First Nation on Thursday, June 17th-Long Term Care Day in Nova Scotia (Facebook)
Peace on Earth Society of Peace by Chocolate and the Nursing Homes of Nova Scotia Association have teamed up to present two brand new specialty chocolate bars. They’ve been named the Hero Bar and they’ve been created to recognize not only the front-line heroes in long term care and the whole health care sector but the heroes in our lives throughout the pandemic. The milk chocolate and dark chocolate with almonds bars have brightly coloured, catchy wrappers each featuring a superhero bursting forth with the messages, Strong, Brave Sweet- You will always be my hero! and Be Kind, Be Sweet, Be Grateful- Thank the Superheroes Among Us!” Proceeds from the chocolate bar sales will be designated to create a bursary fund for students entering the Continuing Care Assistant profession.
