Halifax, N.S. — Nova Scotia reported no new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday.
It was the first time the province has enjoyed a day without a new coronavirus case since early November.
However, three new cases were reported on Saturday. One of those cases is in the eastern zone and is related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada. That case involves a student at St. Francis Xavier University. The student, who lives on campus, has been self-isolating as required.
The other two cases reported Saturday were in the central zone. One cases is a close contact of a previously reported case, while the other is related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada.
There are now 28 active cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia. No one is presently in hospital with the coronavirus.
“It’s been eight weeks since we last reported no news cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia,” said Dr. Robert Strang, the province’s chief medical officer of health.
“But we are not out of the woods yet. If we want to continue this trend of little to no new cases, we must follow all the public health restrictions.”
Like Strang, Premier Stephen McNeil also urged Nova Scotians to continue their vigilance in adhering to the province’s public health measures.
“Seeing a low number of cases recently and now none today (Sunday) reflects the good work of Nova Scotians in following the public health protocols,” he said.
“Monday is a big day in our province with students returning to school. We can all protect our students, teachers and staff by staying vigilant, wearing a mask, limiting social contacts, distancing, washing our hands and staying home if unwell.”
Meanwhile, all post-secondary students coming back to Nova Scotia from anywhere except for Prince Edward Island or Newfoundland and Labrador are urged to book a COVID-19 test for day 6, 7 or 8 of their 14-day self-isolation period. The appointments can be booked in advance by visiting https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca.
Nova Scotia public health officials have issued a notice of possible COVID-19 exposure on a recent Air Canada flight. The flight in question is Air Canada 7558 on Jan. 5 from Montreal (1:30 p.m. to Halifax 4:03 p.m). Passengers in rows 22-27, seats A, C and D are asked to immediately self-isolate and to book a CVOD-19 test regardless of whether or not they have symptoms.
And, the Nova Scotia government has initiated tougher border restrictions at the New Brunswick border. As of last Friday, people entering Nova Scotia from its nearest neighbour must complete a safe check-in form before crossing the border and then self-isolate for 14 days unless they hold exemptions issued to people who regularly travel back and forth between the two provinces for work.
Also on Friday, Nova Scotia’s ongoing state of emergency was extended until at least Jan. 24.
