Nova Scotia is reporting 13 new COVID-19 connected deaths along with a continued increase in cases of the virus.
The province released its weekly data report on Thursday.
It’s another glimpse at COVID-19 numbers under Nova Scotia’s COVID-19 reopening plan.
The report says there were 3,453 positive PCR tests between March 16 and 22. The 13 deaths were reported during that period.
“The data in this week’s report is not unexpected,” Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang says in a news release.“We continue to see the impact of the first and second phases of our reopening reflected in the increase in PCR positive tests. This is always our earliest indicator. We will be closely monitoring the impact on hospitalizations in the weeks ahead.”
There were 36 new hospital admissions and 20 people were released.
Forty-two people are currently in hospital due to the virus, with a median age of 65.
“My thoughts are with the families of those whose loved ones died of COVID-19,” says Dr. Strang. “The pandemic is not over – nor is the need to do our part as individuals to keep ourselves and others safe. We know that the very best line of defence against Omicron and the BA.2 variant is vaccine; and in particular, for adults, a booster dose. The booster is much more than a bonus – it is incredibly important to maximize our protection against severe illness.”
The two-year provincial state of emergency was lifted on Monday along with all remaining COVID-19 restrictions such as mandatory masking and social distancing.