Nova Scotia reports 1,563 new laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19, 41 hospitalizations and nine deaths during the seven-day period ending 30 May. The number of positive PCR tests and hospitalizations is similar to last week.
“We’ve learned a lot about COVID-19: how the virus spreads, who has the highest risk of serious harm, and the personal actions we can take to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and others,” he said. Dr. Robert Strang. , Nova Scotia Medical Director of Health. “Virus activity has slowed in recent weeks, but it hasn’t stopped. COVID-19 is here to stay, so we need to stay safe.”
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. All COVID-19 deaths reported this week were people 70 years of age or older. .
The data show that the risk of hospitalization is almost 11 times higher for people aged 70 and over and the risk of death about 115 times higher compared to those under 50. Vaccine-related immunity decreases much more rapidly in people 70 years of age or older, which is why a second booster dose was recommended this spring. Most adults under the age of 70 are still well protected by their two-dose primary series plus a booster.
To date, 65.7% of Nova Scotians aged 18 and over have received at least one booster dose and 64,934 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:
-30-