Nova Scotia reported five deaths from COVID-19 in the past week and a daily average of 223 laboratory-confirmed cases in its latest provincial dashboard update.
The figures are for a seven-day period from July 5 to July 11.
Positive PCR tests totaled 1,562, down slightly from 1,749 last week. This number does not include positive rapid test results.
As of March 2020, there have been 456 deaths from COVID-19 in Nova Scotia. About three-quarters of these deaths occurred during the Omicron wave, which began on December 8, 2021.
The Nova Scotia Department of Health says as of Thursday, 25 people are in hospital with COVID-19, with six in intensive care.
Another 132 people currently have COVID-19 but are in the hospital for another reason, according to health officials. Another 41 people have contracted COVID-19 after being admitted to hospital.
The province no longer publishes weekly reports on COVID-19 with details such as age ranges of those who died or cases of COVID-19 in long-term or residential care. Starting this week, these reports will be issued monthly.
The province continues to issue weekly respiratory disease reports as it has done for many years. These reports describe levels of influenza and other respiratory illnesses, but do not include details about COVID-19 activity.
Infectious disease expert Dr. Lisa Barrett said we are at a stage where COVID-19 is around and growing in terms of the amount of the virus. She said people should start thinking about getting the right dose of vaccine at the right time.
“We’re out right now, hopefully people can still use masks, tests, better ventilation and stay home when they’re sick to avoid the worst of the COVID situations and then wait until it starts in the fall for a fourth dose, unless they have another reason to get their dose earlier,” Barrett said.
Healthcare workers are out due to the spread of COVID-19
The total number of Nova Scotia health workers sick or isolated due to COVID-19 is the highest it has been in seven weeks. There are 352 health workers out of work across the province, which is roughly 55 percent more than two weeks ago.
While the central zone and IWK saw a slight drop in the number of staff out of work since last week, all other parts of the province saw an increase.
Vaccines approved for children under 5 years of age
On Thursday, Health Canada approved Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for infants and preschoolers.
Health Canada now says the Moderna vaccine can be given to young children between the ages of six months and five years in doses a quarter of the size approved for adults.
Moderna’s product is the first COVID-19 vaccine approved for children under five in Canada.
“We know many parents of young children have been looking forward to this day for quite some time, and we’re pleased to see so much interest in getting some of Nova Scotia’s youngest residents vaccinated,” said Dr. Shelley Dix, Nova Scotia Deputy – Chief Medical Officer of Health in a statement.
“While most children in this age group have relatively mild disease, some experience severe disease, particularly those with underlying medical conditions.”
The province said the initial supply of vaccine for children in that age group will be limited, but more appointments will be added as shipments from the federal government arrive. There are about 34,000 children in Nova Scotia between the ages of six months and four years, according to the province.
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