Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. (Government of Nova Scotia photo)
The provincial government announced Nova Scotia has 173 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 26 new cases identified Tuesday.
As previously reported, while most cases are connected to travel or a known case, there is one confirmed case of community transmission and the province expects more to come.
Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia`s chief medical officer of health, said one of the 26 new cases is a staff member at The Magnolia residential care home in Enfield, which makes for three staff members and two residents of the facility tested positive. The residents are in isolation and staff members are isolating at home. All residents are being monitored for symptoms of COVID-19 including temperature checks twice daily.
Strang says this is a difficult and challenging time, with all Nova Scotians being asked to take steps to help slow the spread of the virus.
Strang said the current pandemic won’t be a two week phenomena, noting it could last 6 to 10 weeks at least. Even as things get back to normal, he said it won’t go back to full normal right away.
Premier Steven McNeil said the province was aggressive with its measures in closing restaurants and bars, and locking down nursing homes as a means of helping flatten the curve.
To date, Nova Scotia has 6,591 negative test results. Those confirmed cases, identified in all parts of the province, range in age from under ten to over 80. Five individuals are currently in hospital while 11 individuals have now recovered and their cases of COVID-19 are considered resolved.