The province’s top doctor is reminding Nova Scotians if they want to enjoy the Christmas season with friends and family they need to keep their guard up.
At a COVID-19 briefing Tuesday, chief medical officer of health Dr. Robert Strang said the number of COVID-19 cases has been creeping up over the past week in Nova Scotia and other provinces are experiencing record-high infections.
“Right now we need to focus on the next two months,” said Strang. “The things we do now will have a direct impact on what we’ll be able to do safely as we enter the holiday season. The next few weeks are critically important.”
Strang understands as Nova Scotians approach the ninth month of dealing with COVID-19 people are getting tired. He said everyone needs to continue to think of protecting others by following the established safety protocols including: frequent hand washing, social distancing and wearing masks.
“So if you can wear a mask, wear one. Do not look for loopholes and don’t make false claims. You’re putting yourself and everyone else at risk with this kind of self-centered behavior,” said Strang.
Strang says our province needs to continue doing the things we’ve been doing which have kept the worst of the pandemic at bay.
Nova Scotia has had 12 new cases of COVID-19 since last week’s update. The province announced one new case Tuesday in the Northern Zone, bringing the total number of active COVID-19 cases in Nova Scotia to 16.
Strang made his plea for continued vigilance just hours after the province announced they will allocate $5.5 million of federal funding from the Safe Return to Class Fund to gradually open school gyms to community groups for physical activity and sports.
That funding will allow schools to pay for the extra cleaning necessary to open gyms and washrooms to the public outside of school hours.
Premier Stephen McNeil joined Dr. Strang in calling on Nova Scotians to stay alert to the dangers of COVID-19.
“We are heading into the flu season. Winter is coming which will force us indoors. I know we’re tired. We’re coming into the ninth month of dealing with COVID. I understand you’re fed up, but we can’t let our guard down,” said McNeil.
The premier said by working together, Nova Scotians have managed to keep the coronavirus mostly contained. To keep each other safe, everyone must continue to follow the safety protocols.
“And if we don’t just look around the country or look across the border. The evidence is clear,” said McNeil. “There’s a reason cases are on the rise. COVID likes when you don’t wear a mask. COVID likes when you gather in groups. COVID likes to be ignored because then it finds a way in. And once it’s in, it is hard to get out.”
Reported by Ed Halverson
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson