N.S. reports 9 COVID-19 deaths, 17% increase in positive PCR tests in weekly update

Nova Scotia is reporting nineCOVID-19 deaths in the past weekand a daily average of 250lab-confirmed cases in its latest update to the provincial dashboard.

The figures are from a seven-day period from June 28 to July 4.

There were a total of 1,749positive PCR tests,up from 1,491 from last week. That number does not include positive rapid test results.

Since March 2020, there have been 451COVID-19 deaths in Nova Scotia. About three-quarters of those deaths happened during the Omicron wave, which began Dec. 8, 2021.

Nova Scotia Health says as of today, 26people arein hospital due to COVID-19, with sevenin intensive care. That is an increase from last week, when there were 21people in hospital with three in ICU.

Another 119people currently have COVID-19 but are in hospital for another reason, according to the health authority. A further 58people contracted COVID-19 after being admitted to hospital.

The province is no longer releasing weekly COVID-19 reports with details such as age ranges of those who have diedor COVID-19 cases in long-term or residential care. Starting this week, those reports will be issued on a monthly basis.

The province continues to issue weekly respiratory disease reports, as it has for many years. Those reports detail the levels of flu and other respiratory diseases, but do not include details on COVID-19 activity.

Jump in health care workers off due to COVID-19

There was an increase among Nova Scotia Health staff off sick or isolating due to COVID-19 this week, up 67 per cent to 237 employees.

Every part of the province saw an uptick, but the Central Zone, which includes Halifax, saw the highest jump, with 138 off work compared to 90 last week.

COVID-19 restrictions removed

On Wednesday, the province removed all remaining community COVID-19 restrictions. As of July 6, a five-day isolation is "strongly recommended" but not mandatoryfor people who test positive for COVID-19.

Most restrictions in high-risk settings will remain.

Long-term care homes, correctional facilities, shelters and transition houses will maintain a seven-day isolation period for residents who test positive for COVID-19.

Health-care workers will still need to stay away from work for seven daysif they test positive for the virus.

People who are sick are still asked to avoid high-risk spaces and also other people who are more vulnerable. If people who are sick must go out, they are asked to wear a well-fittedmask.Maskscontinue to berecommended for everyone in crowded indoor spaces, including public transit.

Second booster bookings for people 50-69

Starting Friday July 8,Nova Scotians aged 50 to 69 will be able to book a second COVID-19 booster online or by phone during the day at 1-833-797-7772. People don't need appointments for drop-in clinics offering the booster.

However, Nova Scotia Public Health sayspeople should wait until the fall, when there could be a new vaccine that works better against the Omicron variant.

"Our advice is to wait because the first booster still offers strong protection against severe disease for most people in this age group. COVID-19 activity is currently relatively stable, but we expect that we will have a resurgence later this fall or winter when we typically see surges in respiratory viruses," Dr. Shelley Deeks, the deputy chief medical officer of health, said in a news release.

The province also announced Thursday that more immunocompromised Nova Scotians will be eligible for an additional dose of vaccine starting July 8.