Nova Scotia reported nine deaths from COVID-19 last week and a daily average of 250 laboratory-confirmed cases in its latest update on the provincial board.
The figures are for a seven-day period from June 28 to July 4.
There were a total of 1,749 positive PCR tests, up from 1,491 last week. This number does not include the positive results of the rapid tests.
Since March 2020, there have been 451 deaths from COVID-19 in Nova Scotia. About three-quarters of these deaths occurred during the Omicron wave, which began on December 8, 2021.
Nova Scotia Health says 26 people are in hospital today due to COVID-19, with seven in intensive care. This is an increase over last week, when there were 21 people in the hospital and three in the ICU.
Currently, 119 more people have COVID-19 but are in hospital for another reason, according to the health authority. A further 58 people contracted COVID-19 after being admitted to hospital.
The province no longer publishes weekly COVID-19 reports with details such as the age ranges of the dead or the cases of COVID-19 in residential or long-term care. Starting this week, these reports will be issued monthly.
The province continues to issue weekly reports of respiratory illnesses, as it did many years ago. These reports detail the levels of influenza and other respiratory diseases, but do not include details on the activity of COVID-19.
Collects health workers due to COVID-19
There has been an increase among Nova Scotia Health staff sick or isolated due to COVID-19 this week, 67% to 237 employees.
All parts of the province experienced an increase, but the Central Zone, which includes Halifax, saw the highest jump, with 138 people down compared to 90 last week.
COVID-19 restrictions have been removed
On Wednesday, the province removed all remaining COVID-19 community restrictions. As of July 6, five-day isolation is recommended, but is not mandatory for people who test positive for COVID-19.
Most restrictions in high-risk environments will be maintained.
Long-term care homes, correctional facilities, shelters, and transition homes will maintain a seven-day isolation period for residents who test positive for COVID-19.
Healthcare workers will still have to stay out of work for seven days if they test positive for the virus.
Sick people are still asked to avoid high-risk spaces and also other more vulnerable people. If sick people have to go out, they are asked to wear a tight-fitting mask. Masks continue to be recommended for everyone in crowded indoor spaces, including public transportation.
Second reinforcement reservations for people aged 50 to 69
Starting Friday, July 8, Nova Scotians aged 50 to 69 will be able to book a second COVID-19 booster online or by phone during the day at 1-833-797-7772. People don’t need appointments for access clinics that offer reinforcement.
However, Nova Scotia Public Health says people should wait until the fall, when there could be a new vaccine that works better against the Omicron variant.
“Our advice is to wait because the first reinforcement still offers strong protection against serious illness for most people in this age group. Currently COVID-19 activity is relatively stable, but we hope we will have a resurgence later this fall or winter when increases in respiratory viruses are usually seen, “Dr. Shelley Deeks, deputy medical director of health, said in a press release.
The province also announced Thursday that more Nova Scotia immunocompromised people will be eligible for an additional dose of vaccine starting July 8th.