I have learned that, time-consuming and deeply annoying as verifying the information can sometimes be, making a timeline is an excellent way to understand an event or series of events.
In the case of the current coronavirus pandemic, though, events have been unspooling so quickly I needed a timeline just to keep up with them, so I’ve created this highly subjective — much of it is focused on Nova Scotia and draws on information provided by the province — and admittedly incomplete timeline of the crisis which I will maintain until it is no longer needed.
A note on the data: I used the World Health Organization’s global numbers — and I have used the word “countries” to apply to countries/territories/areas — the government of Canada’s numbers for the entire country and Nova Scotia’s numbers for this province. I discovered discrepancies between them at times, simply based upon the time of day statistics were updated. There was something off about the early cumulative totals I found for Canada, so I’ve pulled them until I can find a more precise source.)
As this video from the Kahn Academy (which I discovered thanks to the CBC’s Roberto Rocho) explains, the “confirmed cases” data is a glimpse into the past, not a look at the present because it represents when a case was detected, not when a person became infected.
Most Canadian provinces have been focusing testing on people who have traveled and people in contact with people who have traveled, so most of our cases have been “travel-related,” but as Bauer says:
That’s not a finding; that’s a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Some other good points to remember: the definition of a “confirmed case” varies by country. Here in Canada, it means a person has been tested and the results confirmed by a lab, but Rocha says some countries consider a case confirmed if the patients exhibits the major symptoms associated with COVID-19.
The COVID-19 story won’t be fully understood until it’s over, but I feel this time line will be of some use in understanding how we measured the pandemic in real time and how we responded to it as it unfolded.
2019
December 31
The government in Wuhan, China, confirms that health authorities there are treating dozens of cases of a mysterious, pneumonia-like illness.
2020
JANUARY
January 7
Researchers in China identify the virus but say there is little evidence it can pass easily between humans and that it has caused no deaths.
January 11
State media in China confirms the first virus-related death, but authorities are still saying the disease cannot be passed easily between humans.
January 12
China shares the genetic sequence of the novel coronavirus for countries to use in developing specific diagnostic kits.
January 13
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health reports the first imported case of the virus.
January 15
The Public Health Agency of Canada activates the Emergency Operation Centre to support Canada’s response to COVID-19.
January 19 Chinese
January 21
The World Health Organization issues a first situation report on the “novel coronavirus.” At this point, 282 cases have been confirmed in China, Japan, South Korea and Thailand.
January 22
Canada implements screening requirements related to COVID-19 for travelers returning from China to major airports in Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver.
January 25
A man in his 50s arrives in Toronto from Wuhan, China and becomes the first “presumptive” case of the new coronavirus in Canada. He is hospitalized in Toronto’s Sunnybrook Hospital.
January 27
The National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg confirms that a man in quarantine in Sunnybrook Hospital is Canada’s first documented case of the new coronavirus.
January 30
The World Health Organization (WHO) declares a world health emergency.
FEBRUARY
February 9
Canada expands COVID-19 screening requirements for travelers returning from affected areas to 10 airports across 6 provinces.
February 20
Canada confirms its first case related to travel outside mainland China.
February 28
Nova Scotia advises anyone traveling from “an affected area” to closely monitor their health for 14 days after their arrival in Canada and to call 811 if they have traveled to an affected area and develop a fever, cough or difficulty breathing.
The WHO says the virus has reached 51 countries. Globally, there are 83,652 confirmed cases, with China accounting for 78,961 of them. The global death toll is 2,858.
Nova Scotia reports no cases.
MARCH
March 4
Nova Scotia cancels all organized student trips to international destinations until April 30.
The WHO says the virus has reached 87 countries. Globally, there are 93,091 confirmed cases with China accounting for 80,422 of them. The global death toll is 3,198.
Nova Scotia reports no cases.
March 6
Nova Scotia holds a first media briefing with the province’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Robert Strang, who says that “good hygiene remains the best defense against respiratory viruses, such as COVID-19.”
The province is “actively monitoring and testing for potential cases” of COVID-19 and implementing a patient screening process for frontline healthcare workers.
The WHO says the virus has reached 96 countries. Globally, there are 98,192 confirmed cases, with China accounting for 80,711 of them. The global death toll is 3,380.
Nova Scotia reports no cases.
March 9
New national screening protocols for the corona virus are established.
Nova Scotia advises anyone who has traveled “outside of Canada” to closely monitor their health for 14 days after returning to the country. Those who begin to feel unwell are advised to “stay at home/self-isolate away from the public.” Those who develop a fever (temperature 30 degrees C or higher) and/or a cough should call 811 for assessment.
Those who have traveled outside the country in the last 14 days are not permitted to enter long-term care homes.
Nova Scotians are advised to:
- practice good handwashing hygiene
- use cough and sneeze etiquette
- avoid touching your face
- minimize close face-to-face contact with people who appear ill
- stay away from others if you feel unwell
- regularly clean and disinfect high touch surfaces
The WHO says the virus has reached 112 countries. Globally, there are 109,577 confirmed cases with China accounting for 80,904 of them. The global death toll is 3,809.
Canada has its first COVID-19-related death.
Nova Scotia reports no cases.
March 11
WHO declares COVID-19 a pandemic.
March 12
Nova Scotia has completed 57 tests for the coronavirus. Tests are performed at the QEII Health Sciences Centre’s Microbiology Lab and sent to the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg for confirmation.
March 13
Premier Stephen McNeil and Health Minister Randy Delorey join Dr. Strang for a media briefing.
Public sector workers (healthcare workers, teachers, civil servants and others) who travel anywhere outside of Canada (including the United States) are required to stay at home/self-isolate for 14 days upon their return to Canada. This measure applies to students in NS public schools and regulated daycares who have traveled, even if their parents are not public sector workers.
The private sector is “encouraged to take the same approach” and “support employees to self-isolate for 14 days” after travel outside of Canada.
Dr. Strang encourages “individuals, employers and community organizations” to limit social gatherings to “no more than 150 people.”
All Nova Scotia Museum sites and the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in Halifax close to the public.
The province is working with the federal government to delay the cruise season.
Nova Scotians “should think about additional measures” such as:
- avoiding close contact with others (keeping at least two metres or roughly six feet apart)
- avoiding crowds and gatherings like parties and other group activities
- staying home if ill, especially if you have a fever and or a new cough
Canada advises Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada until further notice.
The WHO says the virus has reached 121 countries. Globally, there are 132,758 confirmed cases. The global death toll is 4,955.
Nova Scotia reports no cases.
March 14
Nova Scotia’s correctional facilities are closed to volunteer organizations. Inmates will be permitted “two free phone calls” each week to their friends and family.
No changes are made to protocols for lawyers visits.
The WHO says the virus has reached 142 countries. Globally, there are 142,534 confirmed cases and 5,392 deaths. Europe has become the epicenter of the pandemic.
Nova Scotia reports no cases.
March 15
Nova Scotia reports its first 3 presumptive cases of COVID-19. All three are travel-related.
The province introduces a number of measures under the Health Protection Act, including:
- closing long-term care facilities to visitors
- closing public schools for two weeks following March Break (weeks of March 23 and March 30)
- closing regulated child care centers closed March 17 to April 3
- canceling March break camps
- closing casinos in Halifax and Sydney, forbidding bar owners from operating VLTs
- requiring anyone who traveled outside of Canada to self-isolate even if symptom-free
- requiring organizations and businesses to practice social distancing of two meters or six feet and keep gatherings below 150 or much smaller if possible; the rule applies to restaurants, bars, movie theaters and “other gathering spots”
It also closes the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park and its visitor information centers in Amherst and at Halifax Stanfield Airport and instructs Tourism Nova Scotia staff to work from home.
All correctional facilities are closed to all visitors. Lawyers wishing to speak to clients in custody must “arrange alternative methods” of communications.
Nova Scotia has completed 415 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO says the virus had reached 151 countries. Globally, there are 153,517 confirmed cases and 5,735 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 3 presumptive cases.
March 16
Nova Scotia announces 2 new presumptive cases of COVID-19. Both were in “close contact” with people who had recently traveled outside the country.
Public health inspectors are placed onsite at the Halifax International Airport and the J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport.
The province is advising anyone who has traveled or has been in close contact with someone who has traveled and is experiencing a fever and/or cough to complete an online questionnaire then call 811.
The Nova Scotia Archives closes.
Canada advises travelers entering Canada to self-isolate for 14 days.
The WHO says the virus has reached 155 countries. Globally, there are 167,515 confirmed cases and 6,606 deaths.
Nova Scotia now has 1 confirmed and four presumptive cases for a total of 5.
March 17
Nova Scotia announces 2 new presumptive cases of COVID-19.
The province has completed 941 COVID-19 tests.
The Government of Canada issues a travel advisory asking Canadians to avoid non-essential travel outside Canada until further notice.
The WHO says the virus has reached 163 countries. Globally, there are 179,111 confirmed cases and 7,426 deaths.
Nova Scotia now I confirmed and six presumptive cases for a total of 7.
March 18
Nova Scotia announces five new presumptive cases of COVID-19. Four are travel-related and one is connected to an earlier case.
The province releases 41 people serving intermittent sentences from its four adult correctional facilities on “temporary absence” and closes Access Nova Scotia and Registry of Motor Vehicle Offices for one week.
To “increase capacity” within the healthcare system:
- doctors and pharmacists are given new options for virtual care, using telephone and secure videoconferencing
- pharmacists are permitted to renew prescriptions for most medications and government will cover the assessment fee
- employers are told they cannot require a doctor’s note if an employee must be off work
- College of Physicians and Surgeons is waiving the fee for retired doctors to renew their licences so they can come back to work
- retired and other nurses are being brought into the system to assist with 811 staffing
- all service providers funded through the Department of Community Services’ Disability Support Program — including social enterprises, day programs, and supported employment programs for adults with diverse abilities — will close to participants and the public
Nova Scotia has completed 1,153 COVID-19 tests.
Canada implements a ban on foreign nationals from all countries, except the United States, from entering Canada, closes the Canada-U.S. border to all non-essential travel and redirects international passenger flight arrivals to four airports in Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.
Canada announces financial help, through the COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, for Canadians and businesses facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The WHO says the virus has reached 164 countries. Globally, there are 191,127 cases and 7,807 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 3 confirmed and 9 presumptive cases for a total of 12.
March 19
Nova Scotia announces two new presumptive cases of COVID-19. Both are travel-related.
As of midnight, personal service and fitness establishments such as hair salons, barber shops, spas, nail salons, body art establishments and gyms, must shut down.
The media room at government house is closed to the public and reporters are asked to use a teleconference line for the COVID-19 briefings.
The government announces measures to help “vulnerable” Nova Scotians. They include:
- $2.2 million to provide each individual and family member on income assistance an additional $50 starting Friday, March 20, to help pay for food, cleaning supplies and personal care items. People do not need to apply.
- $1 million to help Feed Nova Scotia purchase food and hire more staff
- declaring no tenant can be evicted because their income has been impacted by COVID-19, effective immediately for the next three months
- providing emergency funding of $230,000 for Senior Safety Programs and Community Links to help vulnerable older adults
- ordering university students from Nova Scotia still living in residences to go home to provide space for social distancing for students from outside the province forced to stay.
Nova Scotia has completed 1,387 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO says the virus has reached 171 countries. Globally, there are 209,839 confirmed cases and 8,778 deaths.
Nova Scotia now has 5 confirmed and 9 presumptive cases for a total of 14.
March 20
Nova Scotia announces 1 new presumptive case of COVID-19. It is travel-related.
Business Minister Geoff MacLellan joins the premier and Dr. Strang for the COVID-19 update and announces the government will invest $161 million to address cash flow and access to credit for small and medium-sized businesses.
The province has completed 1,561 COVID-19 tests.
From Left: Minister of Business Geoff MacLellan, Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health.
The WHO says the virus has reached 177 countries. Globally, there are 234,073 confirmed cases and 9,840 deaths.
Nova Scotia now has five confirmed and 10 presumptive cases for a total of 15.
March 21
Nova Scotia announces 6 new presumptive cases of COVID-19. All are travel-related.
The province announces that dentists can no longer practice dentistry in their offices except in the case of an emergency.
Dr. Strang, the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) and the IWK Health Centre are restricting visitors to protect vulnerable patients and opening new assessment centers (there are now 14 around the province).
Nova Scotia has completed 1,847 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO says the virus has reached 183 countries. Globally there are 266,073 confirmed cases and 11,183 deaths.
Nova Scotia now has 9 confirmed and 12 presumptive cases for a total of 21.
March 22
Nova Scotia declares a provincial state of emergency.
The province also announces 7 new cases of COVID-19. All are travel related or connected to an earlier case. The province no longer has to send tests to Winnipeg for confirmation as the QEII Health Centre’s Microbiology Lab is now certified to report positive and negative tests.
Measures announced include:
- tightening borders as of March 23, travelers will be stopped and told to self-isolate for 14 days (with exemptions for healthy workers in sectors like transportation and healthcare)
- closing provincial parks, beaches and tourist attractions
- authorizing police to enforce orders under the Health Protection Act — failing to self-isolate or practice social distancing could result in a $1,000 fine for an individual or $7,500 for businesses
- authorizing police to enforce offences under the Emergency Management Act (i.e. fines for price-gouging)
Exemptions to the limits on gatherings include grocery stores, gas stations and pharmacies but the province asks that, where possible, one person per family should be designated to run errands. Also exempted are construction sites, healthcare services, community services (e.g. child protection), criminal justice services and law enforcement.
New orders introduced under the Health Protection Act include:
- prohibiting social gatherings of more than five people
- requiring two-meter (six-foot) social distancing in any workplace or business not deemed essential and minimum twice-daily cleaning and disinfection of work spaces.
Nova Scotia has completed 2,116 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO says the virus has reached 187 countries. Globally, there are 292,142 confirmed cases and 12,784 deaths.
Nova Scotia now has 28 “positive test results.” (During the March 22 briefing, no distinction was made between “presumptive” and “confirmed” cases.)
March 23
Nova Scotia announces 13 new cases of COVID-19. All are travel-related or related to earlier reported cases.
Nova Scotia has completed 2,349 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO says the virus has reached 190 countries. Globally, there are 332,930 confirmed cases and 14,510 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 41 confirmed cases.
March 24
Nova Scotia announces 10 new cases. All are travel-related or connected to earlier reported cases.
Public health says it will expand its testing to include all close contacts of positive cases and that the provincial lab can now process 400 tests per day.
The province has clarified the sectors deemed “essential service” which will be exempt from the five-person limit on gatherings. They are:
- health
- food, agri-food and fisheries
- transportation, including trucking, rail and transit
- construction and manufacturing
- IT, telecommunications and critical infrastructure
- public services, such as police, fire and ambulances
Nova Scotia has completed 2,525 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO says the virus has reached 194 countries. Globally, there are 372,757 confirmed cases and 16,231 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 51 confirmed cases.
From left: Premier Stephen McNeil, Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Brendan Carr, president and CEO, Nova Scotia Health Authority, 26 March 2020
March 25
Nova Scotia announces 17 new cases. All are travel-related or connected to earlier reported cases.
Nova Scotia has completed 2,840 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO says the virus has reached 196 countries. Globally, there are 413,467 confirmed cases and 18,433 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 68 confirmed cases.
March 26
Nova Scotia announces 5 new cases. “Most” are travel-related or connected to earlier cases but 1 “cannot be linked to travel or an earlier case” and is under investigation.
Dr. Strang says COVID-19 testing will be expanded to include:
- anyone referred by 811 to an assessment center
- all close contacts of people who test positive
- people in hospital that meet the criteria for testing
Following the briefing, the NSHA advised the public of a potential exposure to COVID-19 on March 14 at a St. Patrick’s Day event at the Lake Echo Community Centre involving about 50 people. Public Health was directly contacting attendees to advise on “self-isolation protocols and next steps.”
The province also put reservations for the 2020 camping season on hold and banned open fires for any purpose in woods or within 305 meters of woods until May 15.
Nova Scotia has completed 3,274 COVID-19 tests.
Canada has 4,043 confirmed cases and 39 deaths. (As of 6PM EDT. This figure may change)
The WHO says the virus has reached 199 countries. Globally, there are 462,684 confirmed cases and 20,834 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 73 confirmed cases, 2 individuals are hospitalized, 2 have recovered.
March 27
Nova Scotia announces 17 new cases. Most are connected to travel or a known case. None of the new cases is connected to a St. Patrick’s Day gathering in Lake Echo.
The government introduces a number of measures to help “businesses, seniors and vulnerable Nova Scotians.” These include:
- encouraging retail and commercial landlords to defer lease payments for the next three months for businesses forced to close due to the public health order; landlords will be guaranteed payment by the government if the tenant goes out of business, tenants will end up with a big pile of debt, which makes no sense if your goal (stated repeatedly during this particular press conference) is to preserve “jobs” but I’ve slipped into editorial comment which I have been trying not to do.
- 800 iPads will be distributed to the province’s long-term care homes to allow seniors to communicate with their families and chaos will ensue, but again, I’m editorializing.
- effective March 30, restaurants will be permitted to include alcohol with take-out orders as long as the value of the alcohol is not more than three times the value of the food ordered.
- an amendment to the health protection order will allow veterinarians to provide virtual care, prescription refills and in-patient urgent or emergency services
- Community Services is “partnering” with Telus to provide 100 phones and calling plans to “most-vulnerable” clients with no other means of communication; the province will pay $500 per phone and $5,000 per month for data
- the department is investing $200,000 to support transition houses as well as other organizations that serve vulnerable women and children
- the department is investing $55,000 to support 12 smaller community food banks
- the department is extending the hours of its toll-free line for income assistance supports soon, including weekends
Nova Scotia has completed 3,739 COVID-19 tests.
(The Canadian COVID-19 tracking site shows no cumulative total for March 27.)
The WHO says the virus has reached 201 countries. Globally, there are 509,164 confirmed cases and 23,335 deaths.
“The number of countries implementing additional health measures that significantly interfere with international traffic has increased since the declaration of COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international concern. The United Nations World Tourism Organization launched a Crisis Committee to review the impact of the outbreak on the aviation, shipping and tourism sectors and propose innovative solutions for recovery.”
Nova Scotia has 90 confirmed cases, 2 individuals are hospitalized, 3 have recovered.
March 28
Nova Scotia announces 20 new cases. “Most” are connected to travel or a known case. Two involve workers at long-term care facilities.
“Given the number of returning travelers, including snowbirds, and more testing being done, an increase in cases is expected,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health. “We’re three weeks into our response and I know this is hard for everyone. Please continue to be part of flattening the curve by following public health advice and direction.”
The press release stated that cases have now been identified “in all parts of the province.” A spokesperson for Health and Wellness told me this refers to the NSHA’s health zones. I also asked if testing information was broken down by testing site, but it is not.
Employees at the R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home in Antigonish and Lewis Hall, a Shannex-owned retirement community in Dartmouth, have tested positive for COVID-19.
Nova Scotia has completed 4,141 COVID-19 tests.
Source: Health Canada
Canada has 5,386 confirmed cases and 60 deaths.
The WHO says the virus has reached no new countries. Globally, there are 571,678 confirmed cases and 26,494 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 110 confirmed cases.
March 29
Nova Scotia announced 12 new cases announced. “Most” are connected to travel or a known case. Others remain under investigation.
During Sunday’s briefing, Dr. Strang explained the criteria used to determine if community spread has occurred: basically, if a new case cannot be traced at all or is connected to a known case (or a traveler) by three or more degrees of separation, community spread is considered to have begun.
A “non-resident” at the Magnolia residential care home in Enfield has tested positive;
The premier announced he would be instructing police to step up enforcement of the rules — ticketing and/or towing people at provincial beaches and parks (which have been closed).
Nova Scotia has completed 4,853 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO says the virus has reached 202 countries. Globally there are 634,835 cases and 29,957 deaths.
Canada has 6,240 confirmed cases and 61 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 122 confirmed cases, 3 patients are hospitalized and 7 have recovered.
March 30
Nova Scotia has detected community spread of the COVID-19 virus.
During Monday’s briefing, Dr. Robert Strang announced five new cases of COVID-19 and stated that there are now four people connected to the Magnolia residential care home in Enfield — two workers and two residents — who have tested positive.
Strang also noted that EMT can now do mobile testing.
Premier Stephen McNeil said the province’s public schools and licensed daycares would remain closed until at least May 1 and announced a number of measures to help parents, teachers and students cope with the ongoing closure.
Nova Scotia has completed 5,181 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO says the virus has reached no new countries. Globally, there are 693,224 confirmed cases and 33,106 deaths.
Canada has 6,317 confirmed cases and 66 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 127 confirmed cases, 4 patients are hospitalized and 10 have recovered.
March 31
Dr. Strang announced 20 new cases of COVID-19 adding that 96% of confirmed cases in the province are still related to travel or a known case although one case has ben put down to community spread and a handful remain under investigation.
Dr. Strang said the province will begin breaking down COVID-19 cases by health zone, information that will be made available in the form of a map on the province’s COVID-19 website.
Premier Stephen McNeil said the State of Emergency would be extended another 14 days after April 5.
Nova Scotia has completed 5,910 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO says the virus has reached no new countries. Globally, there are 750,890 confirmed cases and 36,405 deaths.
Canada has 7,695 confirmed cases and 89 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 147 confirmed cases, 4 patients are hospitalized and 10 have recovered.
April 1
Dr. Robert Strang announced 26 new cases of COVID-19.
The chief medical officer and Premier Stephen McNeil admitted they did not know how long current measures would be kept in place, responding to a question about a National Post report that said the federal government’s “best case scenario” would be until July.
Strang also said it was possible the official advice on mask-wearing for asymptomatic people might change.
Premier McNeil promised his government would be announcing additional assistance for small businesses and their employees soon.
Nova Scotia has completed 6,764 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO says the virus has now reached 205 countries (the latest are Botswana, Burundi and Sierra Leone). Globally, there are 823,626 confirmed cases and 40,598 deaths.
WHO has released a scientific brief on the off-label use of medicines for COVID-19. A number of medicines have been suggested as potential investigational therapies, many of which are now being or will soon be studied in clinical trials, including the SOLIDARITY trial co-sponsored by WHO and participating countries.
Canada has 9,005 confirmed cases and 105 deaths.
Nova Scotia now has 173 confirmed cases, 5 patients are hospitalized and 11 have recovered.
April 2
Dr. Strang announced 20 new cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia.
The State of Emergency in the province has been extended another 14 days as of April 5 to April 19.
The province also, for the first time, broke the positive tests down by Health Zone:
Canadian political leaders are coming under pressure to release their modeling for best and worst case coronavirus scenarios. Prime Minister Trudeau says the federal government is not yet prepared to do so. Dr. Strang says Nova Scotia is working on such models but doesn’t have the resources of larger provinces for what is quite “sophisticated work.”
There is much discussion of the value of the public wearing masks, Strang says new guidance may be coming from the Public Health Agency of Canada which is conducting a literature review on the subject.
The Nova Scotia Nurses’ Union is demanding its members have the right to determine when they wear N95 masks. The province is examining the “validity” of the demand. The nurses say they don’t even know what kind of supplies of N95 masks the province has.
The lab at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital will be supplied with a rapid, new COVID-19 test that, while not suitable for high-volume testing, will be used for “urgent clinical decisions.”
Premier Stephen McNeil announced a $50 million fund to assist small businesses and people who do not qualify for EI.
The WHO says the virus has reached no new countries. Globally there are 896,450 confirmed cases and 45,525 deaths.
Canada has 11,268 confirmed cases and 138 deaths.
Nova Scotia has completed 7,639 COVID-19 tests.
Nova Scotia now has 193 confirmed cases, 9 patients are hospitalized and 16 have recovered.
April 3
Dr. Robert Strang announced 14 new cases of COVID-19 bringing the province’s total to 207.
Premier Stephen McNeil, responding to google data showing Nova Scotians had barely reduced their trips to grocery stores and pharmacies and had almost doubled their trips to parks and beaches since the lockdown advised everyone to “Stay the blazes home.”
Nova Scotia has completed 8,441 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO says the virus has reached one new country (Malawi) is now in 206 countries. Globally, there are 972,303 confirmed cases and 50,322 deaths.
Canada has 11,732 confirmed cases and 152 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 207 confirmed cases, five people are hospitalized and 21 have recovered.
April 4-5
Nova Scotia announced 29 new cases of COVD-19 on Saturday and 26 on Sunday for a total of 55 new cases and an overall total of 262.
Dr. Strang said the province would begin setting up temporary testing facilities in communities where increased “disease activity” had been noted and where no assessment center existed already. The first is to be established in Elmsdale. Strang said where there was no suitable facility for such a center, the province envisions a mobile testing unit. At the moment, the province has two EHS units capable of testing people with mobility problems or groups of people, as in long-term care facilities. One is to be stationed in CBRM, the other in HRM.
During Sunday’s update, Dr. Robert Strang cited research that showed that to get the benefit of social distancing in halting the spread of the virus, 80% of the population had to be practicing it. Strang says the data suggests that even if compliance slips to 70%, the benefits are lost. This, naturally, segued into admonitions to continue following Public Health’s directives.
Shannex, which operates several long-term care facilities in Nova Scotia, announced that three of its staff members — two at facilities in this province — had tested positive for COVID-19.
Premier McNeil announced that applications for the provinces bridging program for small business would be accepted online as of Monday, April 6, and the province hoped to be “cutting checks” or at least, doing direct deposits, as of the end of the week.
The Centers for Disease Control in the United States has advised Americans to wear homemade face masks when they go outside and has provided instructions for making them (as has the US Surgeon General). Canada’s Public Health Agency is still reviewing the evidence and has yet to give the same guidance, but the country’s chief medical officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, said on Saturday that there were some situations, like traveling on public transit, where homemade masks could serve some purpose.
Nova Scotia has completed 9,772 COVID 19 tests.
The WHO says the virus has struck Bonaire, Sin Eustatius and Saba (as of Saturday) and the Maldives as of Sunday, meaning it is now in 208 countries. Globally, there are 1,133,758 confirmed cases and 62,784 deaths.
Canada, as of April 5, had 15,806 confirmed cases and 293 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 262 confirmed cases, 6 people are hospitalized and 53 have recovered.
April 6
Dr. Strang announced 31 new cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia bringing the total to 293.
Strang said nine people are currently hospitalized and 64 are considered recovered. In answer to a reporter’s question during the daily COVID-19 Update with the premier, Strang explained the nationally accepted criteria for “recovery,” which does not involve re-testing but rather the resolution of the most acute COVID-19 symptoms (fever and cough). If, after a minimum of 10 days, a patient has no fever and no other acute symptoms (there may be some residual cough), they are considered recovered.
Strang also announced that testing criteria would be broadened, chiefly by dropping “travel” as a screening requirement.
Public Health issued a directive for the province’s 132 long-term care facilities. Strang said the measures in the directive — which include instructions on health checks for staff and residents and cleaning protocols — had already been provided as guidance.
Nova Scotia has completed 10,511 tests for COVID-19.
The WHO says the virus has reached South Sudan, bringing total countries affected to 209. Globally, there are 1,210,956 confirmed cases and 67,594 deaths.
Canada has 16,653 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 323 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 293 confirmed cases, 9 people in hospital and 64 considered recovered.
April 7
Nova Scotia reported its first COVID-19-related death, a woman in her ’70s with underlying conditions in the Eastern Health Zone. The CBC is reporting she was from Cape Breton and I, having listened to the questions and answers given during the daily briefing, have reported it seems pretty clear she was in the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, although neither Dr. Strang nor the head of the Eastern Health Zone would confirm this.
Nova Scotia also announced 17 new confirmed cases.
The WHO says the virus has reached São Tomé and Príncipe, bringing the total number of countries affected to 210.
Nova Scotia has completed 10,931 tests for COVID-19.
Canada has 17,883 confirmed cases and 380 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 310 confirmed cases, 11 people are in hospital (4 in ICU) and 66 considered recovered and 1 death.
April 8
Nova Scotia reported 32 new cases of COVID-19 bringing its total to 342.
The Cape Breton Post reported that 31 nurses, three doctors and three respiratory therapists are self-isolating after coming into contact with a patient with COVID-19 and CTV reported that the woman who died of COVID-19 on Monday was in the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.
The executive director of the Eastern Zone tells the CBC that as of Tuesday there were two COVID-19 cases in the CBRH and one in the hospital in Antigonish.
The WHO says the virus has reached Saint Pierre and Miquelon, bringing the total countries affected to 211. Globally, there are 1,353,361 cases and 79,235 deaths.
Canada has 18,433 confirmed cases and 401 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 342 confirmed cases, 11 people in hospital (4 in ICU), 77 recovered and 1 death.
April 9
Nova Scotia reported its second death due to COVID-19 –a woman in her ’90s with underlying conditions who was a patient in the CBRH.
The province announced 31 new cases for a total of 373.
Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, released data and modeling today suggesting that even with strict public health measures in place, Canada could have between 22,580 and 31,850 COVID-19 cases and 500 to 700 deaths by April 16 and 22,000 to 32,000 deaths overall. She said the Canadian goal was to rapidly end this outbreak but then prepare for additional (although probably milder) outbreaks in future during which measures would have to be reimposed.
Nova Scotia has completed 12,550 tests to date.
The WHO said the virus had reached no new countries but noted that it had been 100 days since it had first been notified of the “pneumonia of unknown cause” in China. Globally, there are 1,436,198 confirmed cases and 85,522 deaths.
Canada had 20,765 cases and 509 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 373 cases, 10 people are in hospital (4 in ICU), 82 people have recovered and 2 have died.
Source: COVID-19 technical briefing, 9 April 2020.
April 10-12
There were no official briefings this long weekend, but Nova Scotia announced 34 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, 21 on Saturday and 17 on Sunday, bringing the total of confirmed cases in the province to 445.
Nova Scotia has completed 14,740 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO said the virus has reached Yemen bringing the total number of affected countries to 212. Globally, there are 1,696,588 confirmed cases and the death toll has passed 100,000, at 105,952 deaths.
As of April 12, Canada had 24,365 confirmed cases and 717 deaths.
As of April 12, Nova Scotia had 445 confirmed cases, 9 people in hospital (4 in ICU), 97 individuals who have recovered and 2 deaths.
April 13
Dr. Robert Strang announced a third COVID-19-related death in Nova Scotia, a man in his ’80s in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM).
He also announced 29 new cases for a total of 474.
Shannex announced a case of COVID-19 had been discovered at its Harbourstone Enhanced Care facility in Sydney.
Nova Scotia has completed 16,054 COVID-19 tests to date.
The WHO said the virus has reached no new countries. Globally there are 1,773,084 confirmed cases and 111,652 deaths.
Canada has 25,663 confirmed cases and 780 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 474 confirmed cases, 9 people in hospital (4 in ICU), 101 individuals who have recovered and 3 deaths.
April 14
Dr. Robert Strang announced 43 new COVID-19 cases for a total of 517. The new cases include 13 at Halifax’s Northwood LTCF and 14 from East Dartmouth, where the province is establishing two additional testing centers (there is already one in operation). The communities in this region — including North Preston, East Preston and Cherry Brook — account for about 200 of the province’s 517 positive test results.
Strang released the province’s modeling of the epidemic in the province with projections to June 30. According to Public Health, with “good” social distancing measures, by June 30 we will have an estimated 1,453 cases with 35 in hospital (one-third of these in ICU) at the peak of the outbreak, a number Strang said would pressure but not overwhelm our healthcare system.
If we practice weak social distancing, by June 30 we could have 6,269 cases with 85 in hospital (one-third in ICU) at the peak of the outbreak, a number Strang said would overwhelm our healthcare system.
COVID-19-ModellingNova Scotia has completed 17,272 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO says the virus has reached no new countries. Globally, there are 1,844,863 confirmed cases and 117,021 deaths.
Canada has 27,046 confirmed cases and 903 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 517 confirmed cases, 10 people in hospital (4 in ICU) 124 individuals who have recovered and 3 deaths.
April 15
Dr. Strang announced 32 new COVID-19 cases for a total of 549. He noted during the briefing of the nine people in hospital, “many” had been there for a significant period time.
The outbreak at the Northwood LTC facility in Halifax has worsened, with 31 residents, 10 staff, four home support workers and two health services staff testing positive for COVID-19.
Nova Scotia has completed 17,968 COVID-19 tests to date.
The WHO said the virus had reached no new countries. Globally, there are 1,914,916 confirmed cases and 123,010 deaths.
Canada has 28,364 cases and 1,010 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 549 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 9 people are in hospital, 4 in ICU, 137 are considered recovered and 3 have died.
April 16
Dr. Strang announced 30 new cases of COVID-19 bringing Nova Scotia’s total to 579.
Long-term care homes remain a concern, particularly Northwood in Halifax. where 38 residents and 21 staff have tested positive.
Nova Scotia has completed 19,032 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO said the virus had reached no new countries. Globally, there were 1,991,562 confirmed cases and 130,885 deaths.
Canada has 30,081 confirmed cases and 1,193 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 579 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 11 people are in hospital, 4 in ICU, 176 are considered recovered and 3 have died.
April 17
Nova Scotia reported a fourth COVID-19-related death — and a third for Cape Breton — on Friday, a woman in her ’80s who died as a result of “complications related to COVID-19.” The province has identified 27 new cases, 13 of which are in long-term-care facilities (LTCF), bringing total confirmed cases in the province to 606 and total active cases to 425.
Nova Scotia has completed 20,112 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO said the virus had reached no new countries. Globally, there were 2,074,529 confirmed cases and 139,378 deaths. The situation report for April 17 notes:
The Chinese authorities have informed WHO that as cases have declined in China and the strain on the healthcare system has eased, a multisectoral team was established in late March 2020 to perform a comprehensive review of COVID-19 data in Wuhan, Hubei Province.Information from a variety of sources wasreviewed, leading to duplicate cases being removed and missed cases added. Following thisreview,the total number of cases in Wuhan increased by 325 and the total number of deaths increased by 1290.
Canada has 31,872 confirmed cases and 1,309 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 606 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 11 people are in hospital, 5 in ICU, 177 are considered recovered and 4 have died.
April 18-19
Today’s briefing began with both Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr. Robert Strang sending condolences to the those affected by today’s live-shooter incident in Portapique, NS.
Dr. Strang then announced five deaths related to COVID-19 since Friday, all at the Northwood long-term-care facility (LTCF) in Halifax, bringing the provincial total to nine. Strang also announced 26 new cases on Sunday (in addition to the 43 announced Saturday) bringing Nova Scotia’s total to 675 (466 of which are active)
The province has moved in to assist Northwood, transferring recovered patients to a hotel and moving the COVID-19 unit from the Halifax Infirmary to the facility.
As of April 19, Nova Scotia has completed 21,795 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO said the virus had reached no new countries. Globally, there were 2,241,778 confirmed cases and 152,551 deaths.
As of April 19, Canada has 34,777 confirmed cases and 1,580 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 675 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 11 people are in hospital, 4 in ICU, 200 are considered recovered and 9 have died.
April 20
Dr. Robert Strang announced 46 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday and noted that 48 people have recovered from COVID-19 bringing active cases in the province to 464.
The key outbreaks continue to be the Northwood LTCF in Halifax and communities in East Dartmouth. Northwood confirmed independently on Monday that it now has 152 COVID-19 cases affecting 111 residents and 40 staff members. Northwood also said that an infusion of workers from elsewhere in the healthcare system has eased the strain on its facilities.
Nova Scotia has completed 22,490 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO said the virus had reached no new countries. Globally, there were 2,314,621 confirmed cases and 157,847 deaths.
Canada has 36,823 confirmed cases and 1,690 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 721 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 11 people are in hospital, 4 in ICU, 248 are considered recovered and 9 have died.
April 21
Dr. Robert Strang on Tuesday announced Nova Scotia’s 10th COVID-19-related death — which was also the sixth at the Northwood long-term-care facility (LTCF) in Halifax, site of the province’s worst COVID-19 outbreak.
He also announced 16 new cases (one of these from Northwood), a low number likely due to reduced testing this weekend.
Nova Scotia has completed 22,927 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO said the virus had reached no new countries. Globally, there were 2,397,217 confirmed cases and 162,956 deaths.
As of 21 April, over 100 countries have joined the Solidarity Trial to evaluate therapeutics for COVID-19. The trial will compare four treatment options against local standard of care, to assess their relative effectiveness against COVID-1
The four treatments are: Remdesivir (previously tested as an Ebola treatment, some success in animal studies for MERS); Lopinavir/Ritonavir (approved HIV treatment); Interferon beta-1a (a treatment for MS); and Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine (used to treat malaria and rheumatology, respectively).
Canada has 38,413 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,834 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 737 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 11 people are in hospital, 3 in ICU, 286 are considered recovered and 10 have died.
April 22
Dr. Robert Strang announced two additional COVID-19-related deaths on Wednesday, bringing total deaths in the province to 12. Both occurred at the Northwood long-term-care facility in Halifax, the site of the province’s worst COVID-19 outbreak. That brings total deaths at the facility to eight. Strang said the majority of the 35 new cases announced today were from Northwood.
Nova Scotia has completed 23,765 positive and negative COVID-19 tests.
The WHO listed no additional countries affected by the virus. Globally there are 2,471,136 confirmed cases and 169,006 deaths. The day’s situation reported also noted that Japan had changed its method of reporting deaths to include cases where “data matching and verification are in progress,” leading to an increase in the number of deaths. The WHO also expressed sadness at the death of one its personnel, killed in “a security incident in the Rakhine district of Myanmar” while transporting COVID-19 surveillance samples.
Canada has 40,179 confirmed cases and 1,974 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 772 confirmed cases, 10 people are in hospital (3 in ICU), 330 are considered recovered and 12 have died.
April 23
Dr. Robert Strang announced four additional COVID-19-related deaths on Thursday, three at the Northwood long-term-care facility (LTCF) in Halifax and one at the Harbourstone Enhanced Care Facility in Sydney. This brings total COVID-19-related deaths in the province to 16.
Shannex reported the death on its website:
It saddens us to report that a resident from the Fishermen’s Cove neighbourhood at Harbourstone Enhanced Care has passed away. This resident had tested positive last week and was being cared for in our designated care/cohorting area at Harbourstone.
Strang also reported 55 new cases of COVID-19.
Nova Scotia has completed 24,558 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO listed no new countries affected by the virus. Globally, there are 2,544,792 confirmed cases and 175,694 deaths. The organization also debunked theories the coronavirus was produced in a lab:
All available evidence for COVID-19 suggests that SARS-CoV-2 has a zoonotic source. Many researchers have been able to look at the genomic features of SARS-CoV-2 and have found that evidence does not support that SARS-CoV-2 is a laboratory construct. A constructed virus would show a mix of known elements within genomic sequences –this is not the case.
Canada has 42,099 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 2,146 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 827 confirmed cases, 10 people are in hospital (4 in ICU), 358 are considered recovered and 16 have died.
April 24
Dr. Robert Strang on Friday announced 23 new cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia.
Strang said 10 long-term-care facilities (LTCF) are affected, with 189 residents and 82 staff having tested positive.
A case of COVID-19 has been discovered in a homeless shelter in Halifax. Strang said their “vulnerable populations” team has “rapidly found individual housing” (in hotels) for any residents of the shelter who may have been exposed to the virus. He said they are now devising a “comprehensive response” for the individual and the contacts and looking at “how to work with the homeless shelter.”
Nova Scotia has completed 25,371 COVID-19 tests.
Canada has 45,341 confirmed cases and 2,465 deaths.
The WHO listed no new countries affected by COVID-19. Globally there are 2,626,321 confirmed cases and 181,938 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 850 confirmed cases, 11 people are in hospital (3 in ICU), 392 are considered recovered and 16 have died.
April 25-26-27
There were no briefings in Nova Scotia on these days, but the province continued to publish updated data.
On Saturday, the province announced six additional COVID-19 deaths, five at the Northwood long-term-care facility (LTCF) in Halifax and one in the Western Zone, involving a man in his ’80s with underlying medical conditions who was not a LTC resident. Fifteen new COVID-19 cases were confirmed.
On Sunday, the province announced two additional deaths at Northwood, the Halifax LTC home, and eight new cases of COVID-19.
On Monday the province announced 27 new cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths. Of note: the majority of the new cases were not at Northwood or any other LTCF. In fact, compared to Sunday’s totals, there was only one new case associated with a LTCF.
As of April 27, Nova Scotia had completed 27,131 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO listed no new countries affected by COVID-19 on any of the three days. As of April 27, there were 2,878,196 confirmed cases and 198,668 deaths. Over the weekend, the WHO addressed the issue of antibody testing, stating:
Although some governments have suggested that the detection of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, could serve as the basis for an “immunity passport” or “risk-free certificate”, there is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from COVID-19 and have antibodies are protected from a second infection.
As of April 27, Canada had 48,489 confirmed cases and 2,707 deaths.
As of April 27, Nova Scotia has 900 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 12 people are in hospital (3 in ICU), 509 are considered recovered and 24 have died.
April 28
Nova Scotia announced 15 new cases of COVID-19 and three additional deaths at the Northwood LTCF.
Nova Scotia has completed 27,817 COVID-19 tests.
Canada has 50,015 confirmed cases and 2,859 deaths.
The WHO listed no new countries affected by the virus. Globally, there are 2,954,222 confirmed cases and 202,597 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 915 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 12 people are in hospital (3 in ICU), 522 are considered recovered and 27 have died.
April 29
Nova Scotia announced 20 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and one additional death at Northwood. Strang told reporters the outbreak at the facility was “stabilized.” Premier Stephen McNeil announced the briefings would no longer be held on a daily basis, but instead on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Nova Scotia has completed 28,421 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO listed no new countries affected by the virus. Globally, confirmed cases have surpassed 3 million (3,018,681) with 207,973 deaths.
Canada has 51,587 confirmed cases and 2,996 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 935 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 11 people are hospitalized (3 in ICU), 529 are considered recovered and 28 have died.
May 1
The province announced 12 new cases of COVID-19 on April 30 and 12 new cases on May 1. Dr. Strang also announced an additional death at the Northwood LTCF in Halifax.
These initial steps are:
The initial steps are:
- provincial and municipal parks can reopen, but playground equipment will continue to be off limits
- trails are allowed to open
- people are allowed to use and visit community gardens
- garden centres, nurseries and similar businesses can open
- sportfishing is permitted from shore or boat, but fishing derbies are not allowed
- people can attend boating, yacht or sailing clubs for the purpose of preparing boats for use
- golf driving ranges can open, including those at golf clubs, but the course must remain closed; golf clubs can perform necessary maintenance and preparations for opening
- people can use their cottages. Use is restricted to one household unit at a time, travel must be directly to the cottage and back, and travelling back and forth frequently from cottage and primary residence is discouraged
- provincial and private campgrounds remain closed, but they can perform necessary maintenance and preparations for opening. An exception is recreational vehicles parked year-round at private campgrounds, which can be used but must follow the same rules as cottages
- drive-in religious services will be allowed, as long as people stay in their cars, they are parked two metres apart and there are no interactions between people in cars or between people in cars and others
Nova Scotia has completed 29,842 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO listed no additional countries affected by the virus. Globally there are 3,090,445 confirmed cases and 217,769 deaths.
Canada has 55,061 confirmed cases and 3,391 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 959 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 10 people are in hospital (including 3 in ICU), 592 have recovered and 29 have died.
May 2-3-4
Nova Scotia announced four new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, eight on Sunday and 14 on Monday for a total of 26.
The province also announced eight additional COVID-19-related deaths at the Northwood LTCF (two were announced on Saturday and six on Sunday).
In the Eastern Health Care Zone, which includes Cape Breton, the NSHA said 6 healthcare workers have been diagnosed with COVID-19, five of whom have recovered.
As of May 4, Nova Scotia has completed 31,426 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO (which reformatted its reports as of May 2 to improve accessibility for persons with visual impairment) announced no new countries have been affected by the virus. Globally, as of May 4, there are 3,435,894 confirmed cases and 239,604 deaths.
As of May 4, Canada has 60,772 confirmed cases and 3,854 deaths.
As of May 4, Nova Scotia has 985 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 6 people are in hospital (2 in ICU), 638 have recovered and 38 have died.
May 5
Nova Scotia announced three more deaths at Northwood, bringing total deaths at the facility to 35 and total deaths across the province to 41.
Dr. Strang announced six new cases of COVID-19 and a more detailed breakdown on the cases in LTCFs, stating:
…there are now 11 facilities with at least one case of COVID-19 but the majority of cases are in Northwood.
Of the 245 long-term-care residents across the province who have contracted the disease, 46 have recovered and 39 have died.
Of the 113 long-term-care staff members across the province who have contracted the disease, 61 have recovered and the others are still completing their (minimum 10-day) isolation periods. There have been no staff fatalities from COVID-19.
All the active cases of the virus in long-term-care residents — 160 — are in Northwood which also has 49 active cases among its staff.
Nova Scotia has completed 31,975 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO announced no new countries affected by the virus. Globally, there are 3,517,345 cases and 243,401 deaths.
Canada has 62,046 confirmed cases and 4,043 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 991 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 6 people are in hospital (including 2 in ICU), 652 have recovered and 41 have died.
May 6
Nova Scotia announced seven new cases of COVID-19.
Dr. Strang noted that two staffers had tested positive at Northwood (which he’d declared “stabilized” on April 29) and Public Health had launched an “intense review” into the source of the infection.
Nova Scotia has completed 32,539 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO says globally there are 3,588,773 cases of the virus and 247,503 deaths.
Canada has 63,496 confirmed cases and 4,232 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 998 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 5 people are in hospital (2 in ICU), 661 have recovered and 41 have died.
May 7
Nova Scotia announced three more COVID-19-related deaths at Northwood bringing deaths at the facility to 38.
The province announced nine new cases of COVID-19.
Nova Scotia has completed 33,296 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO says globally there are 3,672,283 confirmed cases of the virus and 254,045 deaths.
Canada has 64,922 confirmed cases and 4,408 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 1,007 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 5 people are in hospital (2 in ICU), 708 have recovered and 44 have died.
May 8
Nova Scotia announced two more deaths at the Northwood LTCF in Halifax bringing total deaths at the facility to 40.
The province also announced one new case of COVID-19.
Strang presented an outline for reopening the province (which he’d gotten some grief for presenting first to a group of provincial business organizations).
Nova Scotia has completed 33,843 COVID-19 tests.
The WHO says globally there are 3,759,967 confirmed cases of the virus and 259,474 deaths.
Canada has 66,434 confirmed cases and 4,569 deaths.
Nova Scotia has 1,008 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 5 people are in hospital (2 in ICU), 722 have recovered and 46 have died.
