What’s new?

To monitor data on a daily basis, see the Nova Scotia and Canadian data pages.

• Five new cases of COVID-19 in the central zone were announced today (this includes two cases in schools, noted below) and 10 new cases of were announced since the last update
• There is now evidence of community spread, as not all cases are related to travel
• The trajectory of new cases in the second wave is concerning and much steeper than wave one; Nova Scotians are asked to take precautions seriously (such as social distancing, wearing a mask, hand hygiene and following gathering limits)
• Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer of health, issued an urgent notice suspending the Flulaval Tetra vaccine lot number KX9F7 due to adverse events experienced in N.B. Learn more
• Yesterday, Nova Scotia reported the first cases associated with schools. Everyone in a class with a confirmed case is being tested and is asked to self-isolate for 14 days. Students will be supported to learn at home
  • One case was reported at both Graham Creighton Junior High in Cherry Brook, N.S. and at Auburn Drive High in Cole Harbour, N.S.

• There were potential COVID-19 exposures at various locations in HRM:
  • GCR Tire and Service Centre (42 Isnor Dr., Dartmouth, N.S.) on Nov. 13 from 8-10 a.m.
  • The Local Bar and Restaurant (2037 Gottingen St., Halifax) on Nov. 9 between 4 p.m. and close 
  • Real Fake Meats (2278 Gottingen St., Halifax) on Oct. 31 from 4-5 p.m.
  • Antojo Tacos and Tequila (1667 Argyle St., Halifax) on Oct. 31 from 6-9 p.m.
  • MEC (1550 Granville St., Halifax) on Nov. 4 from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
  • Aerobics First (6166 Quinpool Rd., Halifax) on Nov. 7 from 1-3:30 p.m.
  • Pet Valu (5686 Spring Garden Rd., Halifax) on Nov. 9 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
  • East Preston Recreation Centre – gym/basketball court (24 Brooks Dr., East Preston, N.S.) on Nov. 9 from 8:30-11 p.m.
  • Tim Horton’s (36 Verdi Dr., Bedford Commons, Bedford, N.S.) on Nov. 12 from 6:30-8 a.m.
  • Economy Shoe Shop Bar and Restaurant (1663 Argyle St., Halifax) on Nov. 8 from 8:30-11 p.m.
  • John W. Lindsay YMCA gym (5640 Sackville St., Halifax) on Nov. 9 and 10 from 6-8 a.m. (only the gym section of the facility)
  • Atlantic Superstore (1075 Barrington St, Halifax) on Nov. 7 from 9-10 a.m. 

WEBINARS
Doctors Nova Scotia-hosted webinars have ended for the time being. Watch for more information.

DNS webinar recordings
Did you miss a webinar? Recordings are available on the DNS COVID-19 info hub.

REMINDERS

Clarification of self-isolation rule for travellers
Government has provided further clarification around new self-isolation rules which took effect on Nov. 9 (see attached PDF for full details):

• If a person travelling for non-essential reasons enters Nova Scotia from outside Atlantic Canada everyone in the home where they are self-isolating must self-isolate as well. Nobody in that household can leave the property for 14 days and they cannot have visitors. This means no school, no shopping and no work outside the home
• This change came into effect due to a rise in travel-related cases. It is not retroactive
• Non-essential travel means travel that is absolutely necessary (i.e. for certain types of work or to attend the funeral of an immediate family member)
• If the shared home a traveller is isolating in has a completely separate living space with its own amenities and entrance, then other family members may be exempt from self-isolating with the individual who has returned to the Atlantic bubble. The isolating person cannot leave their designated private area
• See the attached PDF for more details on self-isolating in a hotel and finishing it in a home, taking a walk outside while self-isolating, driving a traveller back from the airport, and international travellers

Updated guidance on the risk of transmission from aerosols
The Public Health Agency of Canada has updated its guidelines on the risk of transmission from aerosols: SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, spreads from an infected person to others through respiratory droplets and aerosols created when an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings, shouts or talks. The droplets vary in size from large droplets that fall to the ground rapidly (within seconds or minutes) near an infected person to smaller droplets (sometimes called aerosols) that can linger in the air in some circumstances.

Seasonal flu vaccine information
The Publicly Funded Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Information 2020-21 has been updated. Click here to see the latest version. 

ICYMI

Free PPE extended until end of 2020
Government will supply community physicians with free personal protective equipment (PPE) for this flu season until Dec. 31. This includes gloves for administering intranasal influenza vaccine and additional medical masks, gowns, gloves, hand sanitizer and face shields for providing first aid and/or emergency assistance. Community physicians can click here to submit a request to the Department of Health and Wellness for additional PPE supplies for administering flu vaccinations; either update a previous request or make a new one. Your organization will be notified by email of the approved supply and instructions for online ordering. For more information, email PPErequest@novascotia.ca.

DNS staff, meetings and events
All DNS meetings and events have moved to a virtual format. You may reach staff by email or by calling 902-468-1866 or toll free at 1-800-563-3427.

Resources
See the DNS COVID-19 info hub for a complete list of COVID-19 resources.

Information hubs to watch

• Nova Scotia Health updates and service cancellations
• IWK updates and service cancellations
• Doctor Nova Scotia updates and information
• Dalhousie CPD COVID-19 webpage
• Department of Health and Wellness
• 811 assessment online assessment
• Government of Canada
• Canadian Medical Association
• Canadian Pediatric Society COVID-19 resources for the care of children