Nova Scotia reported 17 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the provincial total to 445 — including four cases at a Halifax seniors residence.

So far, 97 people have recovered from the virus and two have died.

The QEII Health Sciences Centre's microbiology lab completed 778 tests on Saturday. The province has reported 14,295 negative results

Nine people are in hospital. Four are in intensive care.

This map shows the breakdown of known COVID-19 cases by health zone as of Saturday, April 12, 2020. (Province of Nova Scotia)

Northwood​​​​​, a seniors residence in Halifax, reported four new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, including three residents and one home-care worker.

There are now 23 cases at the complex, including eight residents, nine Halifax staff, two health-services staff and four home-care workers.

The infected residents have been moved to an isolated floor dedicated to treating patients with the virus.

The home-care worker is off work and officials are looking for people who came in contact with the employee.

There's also been an additional case at Ocean View Manor in Eastern Passage.

On April 6, the seniors residence stated that one resident had contracted COVID-19. The following day, an employee tested positive.

Potential exposure at Halifax restaurant

The Nova Scotia Health Authority is advising the public about potential COVID-19 exposure at G-Street Pizza in Halifax on April 4 and April 6.

According to the restaurant's website, an employee tested positive for COVID-19 Sunday morning.

Public health is contacting anyone who may have had close contact with the infected employee.

The restaurant will be closed for 15 days and all staff have been asked to self-isolate.

Anyone exposed to the virus at that location may develop symptoms up to April 20.

Stunting leads to physical distancing charge

Two teens have been charged with failing to maintain a physical distance of two metres under the Health Protection Act after being caught stunting on Saturday.

RCMP witnessed a Volkswagen Golf speeding on Highway 101 in Halifax County. The driver, an 18-year-old man, has been charged with driving without insurance and stunting after being caught driving 140 km/h in a 90 km/h zone.

The vehicle was seized and impounded. The fine for stunting in Nova Scotia is $2,422.50.

The police officer determined the driver and the 19-year-old passenger were failing to maintain adequate physical distance and were charged under the Health Protection Act. Both individuals are facing a fine of $1,000.

Fire ban in effect to protect firefighters

On March 23, the Department of Lands and Forestry issued a ban on open fires, which will remain in effect until May 15, unless the department states otherwise.

But Daniel Gaudet, the president of the Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia, said there have been more than 100 calls about prohibited burning over the last two weekends in the Halifax Regional Municipality alone.

"This ban was put in place to protect the firemen from having to respond to these calls, therefore grouping together and risking the transmission of COVID-19," Gaudet said.

A ban on open fires is now in effect to protect Nova Scotia's forests during the pandemic.<br><br>No open fires are allowed in woods or within 305 metres (1,000 feet) of woods in any part of the province. <br><br>The ban is in place until May 15. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19NS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19NS</a> <a href="https://t.co/dyPgvLNumJ">pic.twitter.com/dyPgvLNumJ</a> —@NSLandsForestry

The ban applies to all open fires, brush burning, chimneas, fire pits and backyard burning within 305 metres of woods.

Prohibited burning can be reported to the department at 1-800-565-2224.

"I hope that people get the message and they respect the reasoning why the ban is in place," Gaudet said.

"Hopefully, we can reduce the number of calls that firefighters across the province have to respond to."

NSLC to reduce hours further

The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation will start reducing store hours even further starting Monday.

All NSLC stores will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Stores will open at 10 a.m. to seniors and those at risk. Hours for the general public are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Starting tomorrow, we’re adjusting our store hours by one hour. All stores will be open 10 am - 6 pm Mon-Sat. We’ll open an hour earlier to seniors and those at-risk: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. All stores remain closed Sundays. Please respect our precautions. We are all in this together. —@theNSLC

Expanded symptoms list

The province recently expanded the list of symptoms being screened for COVID-19. They are:

Fever.

New or worsening cough.

Sore throat.

Runny nose.

Headache.

Anyone with two or more of those symptoms should visit 811's website for a self-assessment questionnaire to determine if 811 should be called for further assessment.

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