Today, April 25, Nova Scotia is reporting six additional deaths related to COVID-19, bringing the total to 22. Five occurred at the Northwood long-term care home in Halifax Regional Municipality. As well, a man in his 80s with underlying medical conditions died in the Western Zone; he was not a resident of a long-term care home.

“Our province is experiencing a tremendous amount of pain right now. Our thoughts are with everyone who has lost a loved one from this virus,” said Premier Stephen McNeil. “We stand together to grieve those who have died and to support those who are in mourning.”

As of today, Nova Scotia has 865 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Fifteen new cases were identified Friday, April 24.

“With the weekend upon us, I ask everyone to remain vigilant. Please stay home as much as possible, wash your hands and maintain physical distance,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “Let’s be able to look back and know we did everything we could to stop this virus from hurting any more of our fellow Nova Scotians.”

The QEII Health Sciences Centre’s microbiology lab completed 965 Nova Scotia tests on April 24 and is operating 24-hours. Nova Scotia has conducted more COVID-19 tests per capita than any other province.

As of April 24, there were 10 licensed long-term care homes and unlicensed seniors’ facilities in Nova Scotia with cases of COVID-19, involving 191 residents and 90 staff. While most cases in Nova Scotia have been connected to travel or a known case, there is now community spread. That is why travel has been removed as a requirement for testing for COVID-19.

The list of symptoms being screened for has recently expanded. If you have two or more of the following symptoms, visit https://811.novascotia.ca to determine if you should call 811 for further assessment:

fever

new or worsening cough

sore throat

runny nose

headache

To date, Nova Scotia has 25,119 negative test results, 865 positive COVID-19 test results and 22 deaths. Confirmed cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. Eleven individuals are currently in hospital, three of those in ICU. Four hundred and twelve individuals have now recovered and their cases of COVID-19 are considered resolved. Cases have been identified in all parts of the province. A map and graphic presentation of the case data is available at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/data .

Public health is working to identify and test people who may have come in close contact with the confirmed cases. Those individuals who have been confirmed are being directed to self-isolate at home, away from the public, for 14 days.

Anyone who has travelled outside Nova Scotia must self-isolate for 14 days. As always, any Nova Scotian who develops symptoms of acute respiratory illness should limit their contact with others until they feel better.

It is now more important than ever for Nova Scotians to strictly adhere to the public health orders and directives - practise good hygiene, maintain a physical distance of two metres or six feet from others, limit essential gatherings to no more than five people and stay at home as much as possible.

Nova Scotians can find accurate, up-to-date information, handwashing posters and fact sheets at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus .

Quick Facts: testing numbers are updated daily at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus

a state of emergency was declared under the Emergency Management Act on March 22 and extended to May 3

Additional Resources: Government of Canada: https://canada.ca/coronavirus Government of Canada toll-free information line 1-833-784-4397 The Mental Health Provincial Crisis Line is available 24/7 to anyone experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis, or someone concerned about them, by calling 1-888-429-8167 (toll free). Kids Help Phone is available 24/7, by calling 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free). For help or information about domestic violence 24/7, call 1-855-225-0220 (toll-free).

-30-