Nova Scotia announces back-to-school plan, 561 new COVID cases
Students in Nova Scotia are getting an extra week for their winter break as a part of a provincial school COVID-19 reopening plan. Officials have announced a Jan. 10th return date for students to allow families time to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and book vaccination appointments. Teachers and other school staff will return to schools on Jan. 4 to prepare for students’ return to the classroom. Learning resource centres will also reopen on Jan. 4, except at Chignecto-Central Regional Centre for Education, where it will open on Jan. 5. Education Minister Becky Druhan said in yesterday’s update that the province would bring back older strategies to keep students safe, including limiting movement within schools and placing capacity limits on certain areas, like cafeterias. And Public Health says contact tracing will no longer take place in school settings, and students who are sick, or who are close contacts of a known case, should stay home and follow public health guidance.
The news came as health officials in Nova Scotia reported 561 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday. Officials said that 430 of the new infections are in the central zone of the province, 54 cases were identified in the eastern zone, 39 in the northern zone and 38 in the western zone. Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang said he’s hopeful the province is nearing the peak of this most recent outbreak, with cases remaining relatively steady, though there is no sign yet of decline. Officials are also reporting one new case in an outbreak at the Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax. There are now six patients at the hospital’s Halifax Infirmary site who tested positive for the disease.
Correctional Service Canada said eight inmates at the Nova Institution for Women in Truro, N.S., have tested positive for COVID-19. The number of active cases may change as more tests are conducted and laboratory-confirmed results are available, it said in a release. Several steps are being taken to contain the spread of the virus, it said, which include COVID-19 tests being offered “broadly” to inmates and staff, and rapid tests for employees. (The Canadian Press)
Drop-in vaccine clinics in Northern Zone today and tomorrow
N.S Health says first, second and eligible third doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be available to anyone aged five and older at drop-in clinics in River John and Pugwash this week. Clinics will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the River John Old School Community Centre today (Wednesday), and at the Pugwash Fire Hall tomorrow (Thursday). Anyone getting vaccinated should bring their health card number and ID, if they have one. Due to limited space, public health asks that only one support person accompany each child to the clinic. More details on vaccine clinics available here: https://www.nshealth.ca/drop-in-vaccine-clinics
74-year old Pictou man dies in house fire on Christmas Day
A 74-year old man from Pictou has died following a house fire on Christmas Day. The Pictou Fire Department and RCMP were called to the fire just after 1 a.m. on Saturday. Police say due to the severity of the fire and unsafe conditions from the damage, the victim was found inside the home on Sunday. No one else was inside the residence at the time. The fire is not believed to be suspicious, however the investigation is ongoing.
Nova Scotia to relaunch province’s COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Program
The province is relaunching its COVID-19 Sick Leave Program as the province battles the fourth wave of COVID-19. Individuals who cannot work remotely and miss less than 50 per cent of their scheduled work time in a one-week period due to COVID-19 may be eligible for the program. The program is scheduled to relaunch on Jan. 10 and will remain in place until March 31. Full details, including eligibility for Nova Scotia’s program, will be provided online early in the new year.
