The province\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight now we need to focus on the next two months,\u201d said Strang. \u201cThe things we do now will have a direct impact on what we\u2019ll be able to do safely as we enter the holiday season. The next few weeks are critically important.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo if you can wear a mask, wear one. Do not look for loopholes and don\u2019t make false claims. You\u2019re putting yourself and everyone else at risk with this kind of self-centered behavior,\u201d said Strang.<\/p>\n
Strang says our province needs to continue doing the things we\u2019ve been doing which have kept the worst of the pandemic at bay.<\/p>\n
Nova Scotia has had 12 new cases of COVID-19 since last week\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
That funding will allow schools to pay for the extra cleaning necessary to open gyms and washrooms to the public outside of school hours.<\/p>\n
Premier Stephen McNeil joined Dr. Strang in calling on Nova Scotians to stay alert to the dangers of COVID-19.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are heading into the flu season. Winter is coming which will force us indoors. I know we\u2019re tired. We\u2019re coming into the ninth month of dealing with COVID. I understand you\u2019re fed up, but we can\u2019t let our guard down,\u201d said McNeil.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd if we don\u2019t just look around the country or look across the border. The evidence is clear,\u201d said McNeil. \u201cThere\u2019s a reason cases are on the rise. COVID likes when you don\u2019t 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\u2019s in, it is hard to get out.\u201d<\/p>\n