Today’s COVID-19 report from the province doesn’t just announce the same old stuff like new cases (67, down from yesterday), hospitalizations (22 in hospital, five of those in ICU, both numbers up from yesterday) and active cases (589, another record high). Today’s report also conclusively proves the adage that it’s possible to have too much […]
COVID-19
News updates and questions answered what you need to know about coronavirus COVID-19 virus pandemic in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Posted inNews + Opinion
Nova Scotia has 45,000 backlogged COVID-19 tests
This week, Nova Scotians turned out for COVID-19 tests in record numbers. So much so, in fact, they’ve overwhelmed the testing system. “Thousands and thousands of Nova Scotians have done what we have asked—get tested,” said chief medical officer of health doctor Robert Strang at the C19 briefing on Friday, April 30. As a result, […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
A new case at Northwood brings echoes of last year’s deadly outbreak
It’s been over a year since COVID-19 arrived at the doorstep of Northwood’s Halifax campus and claimed the first three lives of an outbreak that would go on to infect 240 residents and kill a total of 53. And it’s been just under 11 months since the province declared that outbreak over. But on Tuesday […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Where to get a rapid COVID-19 test this weekend (May 1-2)
Note: This article is old. For more current info, read our latest ‘Where to Get Tested’ article. On Friday, the Nova Scotia government paused booked PCR tests for most Nova Scotians. This weekend, the only tests available (unless you’re a close contact or possible exposure) are rapid or pop-up tests. To get a rapid test […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
“We’re going to be throwing vaccines in the garbage and it could’ve been in somebody’s arm.”
The scene at one HRM pharmacy looks like this: Back-to-back appointments, four an hour. The sound of vials of vaccine cracking open is such a constant noise it probably permeates the pharmacists’ dreams. It’s a well-oiled machine, if one that’s new on its feet. “We’re highly sought after,” says the pharmacy manager (who, like all […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
How 40-to-54-year-olds can book an AstraZeneca vaccine appointment
On Friday, April 30, Nova Scotia opened up the AstraZeneca vaccine for 40-to-54-year-olds. Public health head Robert Strang warned yesterday that the new age cohort would not open at the stroke of midnight; just before 9am, it was live. The province's vaccine booking site is now updated to offer AZ vaccine appointments for people who […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
70 new cases and 300,000 vaccinations April 29
Nova Scotia is announcing 70 new infections today. It’s a number that would have seemed huge at the beginning of April, but that’s actually down from the 75 yesterday and the current pandemic maximum of 96 new cases reported Tuesday, the day before. Eleven people recovered from their COVID-19 infections since yesterday, compared to those […]
Posted inArts + Music
15 lockdown life enhancers to help you hold on
It’s our third time around this dance floor that feels a little more on fire with every step. A third wave of COVID-19 has come ashore in Nova Scotia, and a strict, circuit breaker lockdown is in effect to help curb the spread. But you already know all this, because you’re either risking your life […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
It’s irresponsible to refuse a vaccine (yes, even AstraZeneca)
Since vaccines first began rolling out in Nova Scotia, public health officials have been telling residents to get a vaccine as soon as they can, once one becomes available. “Ultimately it’s an individual choice, but I would say: if you get an opportunity to get a vaccine, take it,” said doctor Robert Strang during a […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Women scramble to find childcare in lockdown—again
Last week, schools around HRM began shutting down for cleaning after COVID-19 exposures. “We didn’t have to get tested, we were not told that there was a case in the school, but it was a case in the community,” says Ronit Milo, whose eight-year-old son’s Dartmouth school shut down Thursday. As the days went on, […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
With 75 new cases NS is at a record 489 active cases April 28
There’s not much reason to celebrate when the province announces 75 new cases, the second-most infections it’s had in one day. And when the active caseload reaches a new pandemic provincial high of 489 cases, beating the mark of 466 set during the first wave in April 2020. And when two of the new cases […]
Posted inNews + Opinion
Say hello to the giant floating unicorn Halifax needs right now
“We wanted something that would make people say, ‘Holy shit, that looks fun.’” Dave Wolpin is talking about the inspiration behind his new venture, a floating playground that will open mid-June—COVID willing—on First Lake beside the Sackville Community Arena. Called Splashifax, it’s part bouncy obstacle course, part swimmy summer hangout, part home to the world’s […]