Nova Scotia is reporting 1,950 new laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19, 28 hospitalizations and 10 deaths during the seven-day period ending 13 June. The number of new positive tests for PCR is slightly higher than last week’s report. However, hospital admissions and the number of reported deaths have declined.
As of this week, the number of confirmed cases in the lab includes people having COVID-19 for the second time or more. Reinfections were not previously included in the data reports because the number was small. But with the advent of the Omicron variant, reinfections have become more common, which is why Nova Scotia will now include them in laboratory-confirmed cases. This change is part of the reason for the increase in the number of cases this week.
“Since the beginning of the Omicron wave, there have been 215 people who have tested positive for 90 days or more after a previous positive PCR test result,” said Dr. Shelley Deeks, deputy medical director of Health of Nova Scotia. “At the moment, many Nova Scotians have tested positive for COVID-19, so chances of reinfection are more likely; that’s why we’ve changed our reports to include the number of reinfections in our weekly count.”
People 70 years of age and older continue to have the highest risk of serious consequences of COVID-19. Since the start of the Omicron waves on December 8, 2021, the average age of hospitalizations is 71 years and the average age of people who have died is 81 years. Eight (80%) of COVID-19 deaths reported this week were 70-year-olds. years or more.
The data show that age is the biggest risk factor for serious illness and that vaccines continue to work. The risk of hospitalization is almost 11 times higher for people aged 70 and over and the risk of death about 112 times higher compared to those under 50 years of age. Vaccine-related immunity decreases more rapidly in people 70 years of age or older, hence a second booster dose. was recommended this spring. Most adults under the age of 70 are still well protected from serious illness through their two-dose primary series plus a booster. New Scots who are not up to date on recommended vaccines are still encouraged to receive all doses for which they are eligible.
To date, 65.7% of Nova Scotians aged 18 and over have received at least one booster dose and 71,557 people have received a second dose.
The weekly epidemiological summary of COVID-19 is prepared for the medical director of health and his team to report on the public health management of the pandemic. It tracks weekly trends and focuses on tracking serious outcomes in key populations. The full report is available here:
Brief details:
- Reinfection is defined as a positive PCR result 90 days or more after a previous positive PCR result
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