A medical expert cautions you not to be surprised to see more COVID-19 cases among vaccinated people.
Nova Scotia’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Shelley Deeks says “breakthrough cases” will surface as infections in the province climb.
She explains older people have an increased risk of waning vaccine protection over time, which is why we need to deliver booster shots quickly.
“The third dose provides a boost in protection against COVID-19,” Deeks says. “Long-term care homes are now in the process of rolling out both flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster doses.”
The current data shows about 79 percent of Nova Scotians are fully vaccinated, while nearly 5,200 people have received a third dose of the vaccine.
The province released the weekend COVID-19 data on Monday, which included 111 new cases.
There are 255 active infections province-wide.
According to the Nova Scotia COVID-19 Dashboard, since March 15th there have been 5,833 COVID cases.
Nova Scotia COVID-19 Dashboard.
Nearly 87 percent of the infections were among those who are not vaccinated. Partially vaccinated cases are at 6.4 percent (371 cases), fully vaccinated are 7 percent (406 cases).
East Cumberland Lodge in Pugwash sees an outbreak
There is community spread of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia in Amherst and Cumberland County.
Deeks explains an outbreak linked to a faith-based gathering in late October is now impacting a Pugwash long-term care home.
“Unfortunately, some of the secondary transmission is the source of the outbreak at East Cumberland Lodge in Pugwash,” she says.
Four residents and a staff member have been infected. Contact tracing and testing are underway.
Deeks predicts we will see more cases there.
She adds there is some good news, however, as vaccination coverage of residents and staff is very high.
In this case, 96 percent of staff have shown proof they are fully vaccinated, and it is 100 percent for residents.
Deeks encourages all Nova Scotians, especially those in Amherst and Cumberland County, to get fully vaccinated as we deal with the fourth wave.
It’s also recommended you stay home if sick and book a COVID-19 test.
Deeks says you should not go to work, school, or visit loved ones in a long-term care home.
Exposure notices sent to five schools since Friday
COVID-19 exposure notices have been sent out to five schools in our province since Friday.
Three are in the Halifax area, including Bedford South School, Burton Ettinger Elementary, and Halifax West High School.
Restrictions have been introduced at Burton Ettinger due to multiple exposure notices.
Non-essential visitors are not allowed, movement within the building is restricted, and cleaning has been enhanced.
One school is located in Amherst – Cumberland North Academy, and the other is in Cape Breton.
Health officials have said a school exposure notice does not mean there is community spread within the facility or that the initial case was first exposed to the virus in the school.
You can see the full list of exposure notices online.
