Nova Scotia reported 129 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday.
The province, which usually doesn’t release COVID-19 numbers on weekends, said it issued “abbreviated” COVID-19 numbers on Saturdays and Sundays. The online dashboard will not be updated.
It’s unclear how many cases linked to the ongoing outbreak at St. Francis Xavier in Antigonish, rooted in graduation events. As of Friday, there have been 114 cases linked to the outbreak.
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The release said there are 64 new cases in the Central District, 52 in the East District (where the university is located), 10 in the North Region and three in the Western Region.
Due to the outbreak of the University of St. Francis Xavier, province said Saturday’s positive case result was a lab result, and not from Panorama, Nova Scotia’s public health reporting system.
“Public Health notes that a number of cases related to this outbreak are being counted in Downtown because of the address on the student’s health card. That is why not all of these cases are reflected in the East Zone numbers,” it said.
“People infected during the outbreak are showing relatively mild symptoms and the cases are mostly young people who have been fully vaccinated.”
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Nova Scotia Health labs completed 3,865 tests as of Friday.
“Due to the spike in testing and positive cases, public health is experiencing some delays in tracking,” the statement said.
“Those who test positive in the lab will continue to receive initial contact from the public health department within 24 hours and they will be provided with information about quarantine and required testing. plus a request to contact their immediate relatives.”
On Friday, the province said that due to the outbreak, all close contacts, including those who have been fully vaccinated, need to be isolated until they have tested negative based on the virus. in the laboratory (PCR). Laboratory testing should be performed at least 72 hours after exposure.
Testing has been increased in the Antigonish region due to the outbreak. The Public Health Mobility Unit will be available for booked appointments and check-in at the following location:
University of St. FX – Keating Center (1100 Convocation Blvd., Antigonish)
- Saturday, December 11 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m
- Sunday, December 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m
At the same time, Nova Scotia Health opened an Antigonish COVID-19 Testing Center for asymptomatic testing of asymptomatic community members. The center, located at Antigonish Market Square at 149 St.’s Church, Unit 686, will be open Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“It is important that people who test positive for the rapid test self-isolate and undergo laboratory testing regardless of immunization status,” the statement said. “If the test is negative, they can stop isolating if there are no symptoms. If they have symptoms and the PCR test is negative, they should do the test again.”
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