NOTE: This week is now over. For the very latest news, please go here. But for an informative look back at exactly how Nova Scotia responded to COVID-19 in realtime, keep on reading.
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Editor's note: In its 28 years The Coast has never been a just-the-facts news service, but for these strange times this news centre offers quick-hit updates.
Sunday, August 2
Another pair of cases
Remember yesterday when we were talking about how it’s way to better to have no cases? Today proves it, because it totally sucks that the province has announced two more cases.
These are both in the Central zone, according to the provincial report, and both related to people travelling outside of Canada. And just to complete to similarity to Friday’s pair of cases, a Sunday case is apparently even tied to them somehow. This dynamic could be interesting and hint at further opportunities for the COVID-19 to spread—is it a married couple’s child? two roommates who infected someone else in the house? three members of a 10-person group that went to a conference?—but all the province says is “One case is connected to the two reported last week.”
Saturday, August 1
Clear into the long weekend
After yesterday’s abrupt return to having active cases, the holiday weekend’s Saturday is back to no new diagnoses in the province’s daily report. And no cases is definitely better than getting cases.
Friday, July 31
It's baaaaaack, with two new cases
Announcing two cases diagnosed, the COVID-19 report from the province ends Nova Scotia’s latest disease-free streak at 15 days. “The new cases are in the Central Zone and are Nova Scotians who travelled outside Canada,” the report says. “The individuals have been in self-isolation since returning to the province, as required.”
How fitting for this shitty news to arrive on the day wearing a non-medical mask became mandatory in public, indoor spaces throughout the province. No matter how safe things seem, the virus is relentless—so the fight against it must be relentless, too.
Thursday, July 30
Starting on our second disease-free incubation cycle
A clean report from the province makes it 15 days since Nova Scotia has seen a COVID-19 case! One two-week incubation cycle is behind us, and we have embarked on the perilous journey to get to the end of a second cycle. (Our reigning record is 20 days.)
Public health pros consider two full disease-free cycles the gold standard for feeling comfortable. Although considering the current outbreaks in parts of the world that had previously stomped out the disease, maybe relaxing around this coronavirus isn’t something that should happen for a long while.
Wednesday, July 29
Good news, bad news, old news
Good: No new cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia. Bad: Someone has died from C19. Old: Someone has died from C19.
Today’s official coronavirus report brings the province to the welcome milestone of being case-free for 14 days, a full incubation cycle for the virus. And that’s halfway to two incubation cycles, an important mark for public health. As the province’s Planning For A New Normal plan says about being able to consider lifting COVID restrictions: “The first criterion is low-to-no cases for two incubation periods (28 days).” Nova Scotia's longest string without a case is 20 days.
But the report also carries the profoundly unwelcome information that someone who passed away weeks ago actually died from this loathsome disease: “A female in her 60s with underlying medical conditions died several weeks ago in the Eastern Zone. Her death has been under investigation since then to determine if COVID-19 was a factor. She was not a resident of a long-term care home.”
So even though the disease isn’t active right now, Nova Scotia just had its 64th COVID mortality. What a total asshole this virus is.
Tuesday, July 28
Lucky 13
With today’s clean provincial report, Nova Scotia has gone 13 days in a row with no new cases. If this holds up through tomorrow, the Central zone on our map will revert to green status for making it through a full incubation period sans diagnosis.
Premier Stephen McNeil and public health supremo Robert Strang are not doing a COVID-19 briefing today, and do not yet have one scheduled for later in the week. We'll let you know if that changes.
Monday, July 27
Starting the week right
The province’s official COVID-19 report is a great big “no” today. No new cases diagnosed. No active cases. No deaths. No worries about exposure at some liquor store or beach over the weekend. No coronavirus in all of Nova Scotia. Nothing to see here.
Yes!
The collection of news updates from the July 20 week is here.
July 13 week is here. July 6 week is here.
June 29 week is here. June 22 week is here. June 15 week is here. June 8 week is here. June 1 week is here.
May 25 week is here. May 18 week is here. May 11 week is here. May 4 week is here.
April 27 week is here. April 20 week is here. April 13 week is here.