COVID-19 Boosters Now Available to More Nova Scotians
Photo credit: The Canadian Press
The province expanded access today to third-dose booster shots of COVID-19 vaccine to Nova Scotians 60 years and older. In addition, government also expanded access to boosters to all front-line health-care workers, “including community health-care workers who provide direct patient care,” and all designated caregivers regardless of how long it was between the first and second dose. Those who received two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine or one dose of the Janssen vaccine are still eligible to schedule their booster dose of mRNA. In today’s announcement, the province also recommended that those people under the age of 30, who are eligible for a booster, should choose the Pfizer vaccine. Those eligible for a booster dose can schedule an appointment online or by calling the toll-free line: 1-833-797-7772.
Jump at the pumps in N.S.
There was a big jump in fuel prices in the province overnight. Gas is up 4.4 cents per litre this morning to 131.3 cents per litre in the local area. Diesel is up 5.1 cents per litre to 131.9.
N.S. reports 52 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday
On Thursday, Nova Scotia reported 52 new cases of COVID-19 and 19 recoveries. Twenty-nine new cases are in the central zone, 18 are in the eastern zone, three are in the northern zone and two are in the western zone. Nine people are in hospital, including four in intensive care.
An outbreak at St. Francis Xavier University in the eastern zone has led to a total of 59 people testing positive for the coronavirus so far. The province says more new cases are expected in the coming days. So far, those infected are experiencing very mild symptoms because the cases are mostly young people who are fully vaccinated. Officials expect more new cases in the coming days. The university reports that about 95 per cent of the student body is vaccinated. There has been no evidence of spread in classrooms or residences to date, and no secondary transmission in the community. The investigation has found the majority of spread happened in smaller, private gatherings. Most cases are related to those who attended activities December 2-5, both on and off campus. There is an ongoing enforcement investigation.
Nova Scotia Health Public Health is advising of potential exposures to COVID-19 at a number of locations once again in the Antigonish area, all potential exposure notifications are listed here: http://www.nshealth.ca/covid-exposures.
Nova Scotia premier upset by liquor corp’s delayed vaccine deadline for workers
Premier Tim Houston isn’t happy with the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation’s decision to give its employees until January 15th to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Houston says he’s not received a suitable explanation as to why the arm’s-length Crown corporation decided not to go with the province’s November 30th deadline for civil servants. Spokeswoman Beverley Ware says the corporation came up with its own policy because it doesn’t fall under the mandate for civil servants. Nonetheless, Ware says the liquor corporation believes its policy is in step with the province’s vaccination mandate which requires civil servants to be fully vaccinated 56 days after November 30th which is January 25th. (The Canadian Press)
Food prices set to rise further, marking highest increase in more than a decade
A new report says food prices in Canada are expected to rise to record highs next year. Canada’s Food Price Report predicts the average family of four will pay an extra $966 for food in 2022, for a total annual grocery bill of nearly $15,000. That’s a seven per cent rise compared to this year, the biggest jump ever predicted by the report. Sylvain Charlebois, lead author and Dalhousie University professor, says the era of cheap food has ended. He says prices have been rising steadily since 2010 but the pandemic accelerated that trend. The report says key drivers pushing up food prices next year include supply chain disruptions, labour market issues and adverse weather events. It says soaring food prices will contribute to rising food insecurity in Canada. That could leave food banks struggling with higher costs just as demand for their services increases. The report says the biggest price hikes will be in the dairy aisle and on restaurant menus, which are both expected to see price increases of six to eight per cent. (The Canadian Press)
Province announces upgrades to six hospitals for family medicine residents
New Building for Kentville Family Medicine Residents (Photo credit: Nova Scotia Health Authority)
Nova Scotia’s family medicine residency program has completed another milestone. The program is seeing upgrades to accommodate additional spaces for family medicine residents at hospitals in New Glasgow, Truro, Amherst, Antigonish and Inverness. And, construction of a new building in Kentville is now complete for a facility to train family medicine residents.
265 Afghan refugees arrive in Nova Scotia this week
Photo credit: Halifax Stanfield International Airport
More than 260 refugees from Afghanistan have arrived in Nova Scotia, and almost half them will live in the province. They flew in to Halifax’s Stanfield International Airport on Wednesday night. Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia greeted the refugees and will now help them find homes, jobs and get their kids in school.
Sports:
A win last for the Weeks Crushers at the Wellness Centre as they beat the Truro Bearcats 5-4 in overtime.
