The province’s chief medical officer says Nova Scotia needs to change its COVID-19 trajectory, and we all have a role to play.
Forty-two new cases have already been announced so far in November. October saw 21 new cases and there were just three in September.
“We are starting to see community spread,” said Dr. Robert Strang at a Tuesday briefing. “Travel is not just the primary cause of all of the cases in the province now.”
Health officials haven’t been able to clearly identify the source of seven new cases.
“Therefore we have to conclude that this may be from local transmission,” he said.
Two cases announced Monday afternoon are students in Halifax Regional Municipality schools. One attends Graham Creighton Junior High in Cherry Brook, the other goes to Auburn Drive High in Cole Harbour.
Public health officials have tracked down close contacts of the students, including classmates, teachers and fellow school bus passengers. They are all self-isolating.
Strang said the school-based cases are concerning but not unexpected, and officials have been preparing for this possibility for months.
“This is a wake-up call,” Premier Stephen McNeil stated. “COVID is not just entering two of our schools, it’s quickly creeping into a number of our neighbourhoods, particularly here in the central zone.”
“This is very concerning and tells me we are not taking COVID seriously.”
If cases continue to climb, Nova Scotians could see shutdowns return to the province, which has already happened in other parts of the country.
“I don’t want to do that, but I’m not going to watch COVID overtake the community,” the premier said.
Strang said discussions are already actively taking place on what restrictions could come back, if necessary.
“Every restriction we impose, every time we tighten down, has its own set of consequences … whether it’s employment or other things, so we need to do that thoughtfully,” the province’s top doctor said. “But we’re certainly fully prepared to go there.”
He believes we are still at a point where we could avoid that outcome and is pleading with Nova Scotians to be vigilant in washing hands, keeping six feet away from others, limiting our social circles and wearing masks.
“Make sure that the mask is effective and you’re wearing it properly,” Strang explained.
“That means fully covering your nose and mouth and using either a two-layered or three-layered mask, not a face shield, not just a scarf or a thin gaiter that’s pulled up from around the neck. You need a proper non-medical mask.”
Strang said the 18 to 35 age group is currently driving many of the new cases in the province.
“This has not been a typical year and I know people are just trying to find a way to have a normal social life, but I’m going to appeal to young people directly,” he said.
“You are important to Nova Scotia. You are our future, and we need you now to be leaders in taking a stand against COVID-19.”
