Nova Scotia reports seven COVID-19-related deaths on Monday
On Monday, the province reported seven new COVID-19 related deaths in Nova Scotia. All of those deaths are in Western Zone and involve a man in his 60s; two men and a woman in their 70s; a woman and man in their 80s; and a man in his 90s. Health officials also reported three new hospital admissions and five discharges. There are 68 people in hospital who were admitted due to COVID-19 and are receiving specialized care in a COVID-19 designated unit. That includes 12 people in ICU. An additional 158 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported yesterday. There are an estimated 2,661 active cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia.
The federal government is investing more than 670-thousand dollars in three different COVID-19 vaccination outreach programs in Nova Scotia. The aim is to boost vaccine uptake in under-vaccinated communities throughout the province and the larger Atlantic region. Halifax Liberal M-P Andy Fillmore says the funding is being provided from the federal Immunization Partnership Fund to tackle vaccine hesitancy and misinformation. It’s going to the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia, a program of the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre and to the Discovery Centre to approach leaders in the Black, Indigenous and LGBTQ communities.
New N.S. temporary licence to put paramedic grads on the job faster
Photo credit: EHS
Graduating paramedics can start working sooner due to a new policy approved by the College of Paramedics of Nova Scotia. Graduates of Medavie HealthEd’s Primary Care Paramedic Program within the province and equivalent accredited programs elsewhere in Canada are now eligible for a restricted temporary license. The license allows new graduates to work under the supervision of a paramedic with at least two years of practical experience while they wait to write the Canadian Organization of Paramedic Regulators exam and gain full licensure. The temporary license means graduates can start working up to six months sooner.
Trudeau invokes national Emergencies Act
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has invoked the national Emergencies Act which includes a range of measures to end antigovernment blockades he describes as illegal and not about peaceful protest. The government will use the act to force towing companies to remove big rigs and other vehicles blocking highways and other infrastructure, and establish zones where public assembly is not allowed. Banks are also expected to suspend or freeze accounts suspected of supporting the blockades, including those belonging to companies whose trucks are part of the convoy. (The Canadian Press)
Pictou County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit charge two people in drug trafficking investigation
The Pictou County Integrated Street Crime Enforcement Unit has charged two people in a drug trafficking and stolen property investigation. Last Thursday afternoon police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in Westville. Two men were arrested and a search of the vehicle saw police seize cocaine, methamphetamine, hydromorphone, a digital scale and an electronic device. In the meantime, police searched a home in Central West River, Nova Scotia. As a result, Police have charged a 37-year-old Guysborough County man and 51-year old Pictou County man for drug and firearms offences. The PICSCEU is comprised of members of the Pictou County District RCMP, Westville Police Service, Stellarton Police Service and New Glasgow Police Service.
Nova Scotia NDP member Claudia Chender first to declare for leadership of party
The Nova Scotia NDP leadership contest got its first candidate Monday after party house leader Claudia Chender jumped into the race. Chender, who represents the riding of Dartmouth South, ended months of speculation by officially announcing her intention to run for her party’s top job. The NDP has set a registration deadline of May 21 for candidates. Voting for the new leader will begin June 20 and end on June 25. NDP Leader Gary Burrill announced last fall he would step down once the party chooses a replacement. (The Canadian Press)
Facebook to install undersea cable through fishing grounds off N.S.
Facebook is set to begin installing a transatlantic telecommunications cable on the seabed off southern Nova Scotia this week, causing concern within some fishing groups. The Canadian portion of the route will take the cable through fishing grounds and the Fundian Channel. But fishing groups in the province say their feedback was ignored, including a suggested routing that would avoid key fishing areas. Atlantic Groundfish Council’s Kris Vascotto says groups anticipated there would be more discussion between the tech giant and fishers. Mariners in the area have been warned to stay at least one nautical mile away from the cable laying vessels from mid-February through March. (The Canadian Press)
Westville to fly Peace Tower flag at the Centotaph in honour of Flag Day
Today is Flag Day in Canada and in honour of the day and thanks to David Avery from the Military Museum the Town of Westville will be flying the Peace Tower flag at the Centotaph on Main Street in Westville. At the stroke of noon on February 15, 1965, Canada’s red and white maple leaf flag was raised for the very first time on Parliament Hill. On the same day in 1996, National Flag of Canada Day was declared.
Sports:
At the Olympics, Canadian long track speed skaters have won gold in women’s team pursuit. Canadian snowboarder Max Parrot (pah-ROH’) has won the bronze medal in men’s big air at the Beijing Olympics. Parrot won the slopestyle gold a week ago.
The Maritime Junior Hockey League says the game scheduled for February 21st between South Shore and the Pictou County Weeks Junior A Crushers at the Pictou County Wellness Centre has been moved to a start time of 2 p.m. Meanwhile, the League will be holding a special week of games between February 23rd and March 5th honouring first responders throughout the region.
