N.S. reports 99 new COVID-19 cases over long weekend

The province reported 99 new cases of COVID-19 since the province’s last update on Friday, bringing the number of active cases to 197.  Of the 99 new cases, 27 were reported on Saturday, 16 on Sunday, 22 on Monday, and 34 on Tuesday.  Eighty-six of the new cases are in the central zone, six are in the western zone, four are in the northern zone and three are in the eastern zone.  There are 15 people in hospital with COVID-19, including two in intensive care.  As of Tuesday, 76.1 per cent of Nova Scotians are fully vaccinated.

Nova Scotia Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Outreach will be offering drop-in clinics in Scotsburn and Tatamagouche this week.  The clinics will be open to drop-ins for the Pfizer vaccine to anyone age 12+ for their first or second dose at:

Scotsburn Fire Hall (Pfizer)

4179 Scotsburn Rd., Scotsburn

Wednesday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

**Drop-in only

Tatamagouche Fire Hall (Pfizer)

202 Main St., Tatamagouche

Thursday, Oct. 14 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

**Drop-in only

 

U.S. to reopen land border to fully vaccinated Canadians next month

The U-S is planning to reopen its land border to COVID-19-vaccinated Canadians for non-essential travel next month.  Senior Biden administration officials confirmed the plan in a conference call with reporters last night, on the condition they held their reports until early today.  But New York congressman Brian Higgins leaked the news early.  He did not give a specific date for reopening, but said Canadians will require proof of vaccination to enter and that details will be announced by the U-S Department of Homeland Security in co-ordination with the government’s health agencies.  Canada has allowed fully vaxxed Americans into Canada by land since August, provided they also show proof of a recent negative COVID test.

 

Increasing need for family doctors in Nova Scotia, as waiting list grows to 78,000

 (Shutterstock)

The Progressive Conservative government’s predictions of increasing shortages of family doctors in Nova Scotia are being confirmed by recently released figures.  The list of people waiting for family doctors rose to a record 77,696 names as of Oct. 1, a jump of 60 per cent from the 48,812 people on the list at the same time last year.  Part of the Tories’ campaign promise to reform the health-care system included addressing doctor shortages, and they pledged to invest tens of millions of dollars to reverse the steady exodus of family doctors from the system.  The figures released by the Health Department indicate the problem is growing, with about eight per cent of the population now on the provincial list, compared to about five per cent a year ago.  Premier Tim Houston has said that health-care issues are his top priority, with the doctor shortage high on the list.  During the summer election campaign, Houston committed to create a pension plan for doctors and to increase recruitment efforts. (The Canadian Press)

 

Nova Scotia throne speech pledges reforms to health-care system, fixed election date

Photo credit: Communications Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia’s Progressive Conservative government says finding solutions for the province’s ailing health system is at the “forefront” of its priorities.  Lt.-Gov. Arthur LeBlanc delivered the new government’s first speech from the throne yesterday, which repeated promises made during the summer’s election campaign.  The government says it will offer incentives to recruit and retain more health-care workers.  It promises to create a retirement fund for full-time physicians and reduce wait lists for medical procedures by extending operating room hours.  The government says it will grant all Nova Scotians access to mental health services, as part of what it says will be “the most progressive mental health support system in Canada.”  The Tories are also promising legislation that will set fixed election dates, making Nova Scotia the last province in the country to adopt the measure. (The Canadian Press)

 

Pictou hosting first HarvFEST on the Harbour this weekend

The Town of Pictou is hosting its first HarvFEST on the Harbour event Saturday from 10am to 8pm at the Hector Quay Visitors Marina on the Pictou Waterfront.  Celebrating all things autumn, HarvFEST on the Harbour will include live music with local performers throughout the day. An outdoor market will feature food and artisan vendors.

 

Australian Football Comes To New Glasgow

The two clubs who comprise AFL Nova Scotia, the Halifax Dockers and Sydney Giants, will be hosting an Australian football game at the Scott W Weeks Rugby Field in New Glasgow on October 23rd, at 1 PM. New players (male & female) are welcome to participate at no cost and will be assigned to a team prior to game time. Fans are welcome to attend at no charge as well.  Those interested in participating in Australian football are encouraged to contact the two clubs by email at: halifaxaussierules@gmail.com or sydneygiantsafc@gmail.com