HALIFAX —
Nova Scotia has reported its first death connected to COVID-19.
The province says the woman was in her 70s and had underlying medical conditions.
CTV News has learned the woman died Monday at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in Sydney, N.S.
“I had hoped this day would never come and I’m deeply saddened that a Nova Scotia family is going through this. My deepest condolences go to the family and friends who are grieving today,” said Premier Stephen McNeil in a statement Tuesday morning.
“This virus is dangerous. We have to work to slow it down to protect ourselves, those we love and everyone in our communities so that no other family has to suffer a loss like this.”
The leader of Nova Scotia’s New Democratic Party also released a statement, offering condolences to the woman’s family.
“To the family and friends of the person who has passed away: all of Nova Scotia marks the mourning of this moment with you,” said Gary Burrill in a statement on his Facebook page.
“The pandemic is before us all, and together, through our joint efforts, we have the power to prevent its spread.”
This is the first recorded COVID-19 death in the Maritimes, but not the first in Atlantic Canada; Newfoundland and Labrador has reported two deaths related to COVID-19.
Nova Scotia reports 17 new cases
Nova Scotia also reported 17 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 310.
The province says the QEII Health Sciences Centre’s microbiology lab completed more than 530 tests on Monday and is now operating 24 hours a day.
To date, Nova Scotia has 10,621 negative test results, 310 positive COVID-19 test results and one death.
Most cases of COVID-19 are related to travel or a known case, but community spread has been confirmed in the province.
As a result, the province has removed travel as a requirement for testing.
Eleven people are currently in hospital.
Sixty-six people have recovered from the virus and their cases are considered resolved.
The province’s confirmed cases range in age from under 10 to over 90.
Fifty-one per cent of cases are female and 49 per cent are male.
There are cases across the province, with the greatest numbers reported in the central zone.
More information about Nova Scotia’s confirmed cases is now available online, broken down by the Nova Scotia Health Authority zones:
- Western zone: 42 cases
- Central zone: 208 cases
- Northern zone: 30 cases
- Eastern zone: 30 cases
Public health is working to identify and test people who may have come in close contact with the confirmed cases.
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 must self-isolate at home, away from people, for 14 days.
Anyone who has travelled outside the province must also self-isolate for two weeks.
Nova Scotians who develops COVID-19 symptoms, such as a fever, new cough or acute respiratory illness, are urged to limit their contact with others and take an online assessment questionnaire to determine if they should call 811.
The province says anyone referred to an assessment centre by 811 will be tested for COVID-19.
