Stephen McNeil

As of today, Jan. 12, Nova Scotia has 27 active cases of COVID-19. One new case is being reported today. The new case is in Central Zone and is a close contact of a previously reported case. For more information, visit https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20210112004.

As of today, Jan. 10, Nova Scotia has 28 active cases of COVID-19. No new cases are being reported today. One of the cases reported on Jan. 7 in Central Zone is a resident of another province or territory and is therefore being removed from our cumulative provincial data. Seeing a low number of cases recently and now none today reflects the good work of Nova Scotians in following the public health protocols. Monday is a big day in our province with students returning to schoo...l. We can all help protect our students, teachers, and staff by staying vigilant- wearing a mask, limiting social contacts, distancing, washing our hands and staying home if feeling unwell. For more information, visit https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20210110001.

As of today, Jan. 11, Nova Scotia has 26 active cases of COVID-19. Five new cases are being reported today. Two cases are in Central Zone and are related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada. The people are self-isolating, as required. One of the cases is a student at Dalhousie University in Halifax who lives off campus. One case is in Western Zone and is related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada. The person is a student at Acadia University in Wolfville. The student lives... on campus and has been self-isolating, as required. Two cases are in Northern Zone. One case is related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada. The person is self-isolating, as required. The other case is a close contact of a previously reported case. For more information, visit https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20210111001.

As of today, Jan. 2, Nova Scotia has 27 active cases of COVID-19. Thirteen new cases are being reported from Jan. 1 and today, Jan. 2. On Jan. 1, 11 cases were reported: 10 in Central Zone and one in Northern Zone. In Central Zone, eight are close contacts of previously reported cases and two are linked to travel outside Atlantic Canada. The Northern Zone case is linked to travel outside Atlantic Canada. On Jan. 2, two cases were reported: one in Central Zone linked to trave...l outside Atlantic Canada and one in Northern Zone that is under investigation. Five of the cases reported on Jan. 1 are at Churchill Academy, a private school in Dartmouth. There were two other recent cases at the school, for a total of seven. Public health has been in contact with the school community and is arranging testing for all staff and students. The last day of school was Dec. 18 and classes are scheduled to resume Jan. 11. This is another reminder of how COVID-19 leaps at any chance to spread. We are wrapping our arms around this school community and providing the testing and support necessary. As we start this new year, let's remember to be vigilant about following public health protocols, and don't forget the importance of being kind. For more information, visit https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20210102001.

Monday is a big day as classes resume in Nova Scotia public schools. To parents and caregivers, thank you for accommodating the extra week. We’re hoping it has provided an extra layer of safety as our students get back to class. To the teachers, staff and students, keep up the good work of following the protocols, stay safe and be kind.

Nova Scotia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout takes another important step today with the first long-term care residents in the province receiving their first dose. A vaccine clinic was held at Northwood’s Halifax campus. The first vaccine clinic in Eastern Zone was also held today for front-line health-care workers at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Thank you to our health-care professionals who are working hard to distribute the vaccine as quickly as possible. We can support them by being patient and continuing to follow all the public health measures that help us contain the virus.

2020 a year was unlike any other, but Nova Scotians pulled together and didn’t give up. You were kind, you shared love, and you helped your neighbours. In the final days of 2020, my team of MLAs has highlighted the resilience of our collective community. Focusing on kindness, hope, purpose, strength, and opportunity, it represented the tremendous spirit of Nova Scotians, and the many challenges you’ve overcome in the last year. It is my wish that as the COVID-19 vaccine is coming online, you’re carrying that kindness, hope and strength into 2021.

As of today, Jan. 9, Nova Scotia has 31 active cases of COVID-19. Three new cases are being reported today. Two cases are in Central Zone. One case is a close contact of a previously reported case. The other case is related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada. The person is self-isolating, as required. One case is in Eastern Zone and is related to travel outside of Atlantic Canada. The person is a student at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish. The student lives on c...ampus and has been self-isolating, as required. We can see from our case numbers that Nova Scotians and university students returning to our province are doing a good job following the public health protocols and orders. I thank everyone for staying vigilant. This is how we contain the virus and protect the health of our fellow citizens. For more information, visit https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20210109001.

Happy New Year! There will be no COVID-19 data updates or news releases on Jan. 1, 2 or 3, except in unusual circumstances. On Jan. 4, data will be updated and a news release issued.

Tragedy. Strength. Horror. Resilience. Fear. Compassion. Sorrow. Kindness. All of these words come to mind and I’m sure you can think of a few more as we look back on 2020, a year we have longed to put behind us but one we will not soon forget. Like so many other jurisdictions around the world, COVID-19 stopped us in our tracks....Continue reading

We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation in New Brunswick and wish our neighbours well as they tackle the virus. Effective tomorrow, Jan. 9, at 8am, anyone entering Nova Scotia from New Brunswick will have to self-isolate for 14 days and must complete the Nova Scotia Safe Check-in form before arriving. The Safe Check-in form is available at https://travel-declaration.novascotia.ca/en. Most current provincewide restrictions are continuing until 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 24. T...hey include: - gathering limit of 10, both in your home and in the community - restaurants and licensed establishments stop service by 10 p.m. and close by 11 p.m. - fitness facilities operate at 50% of capacity and have 3 metres between people for high intensity activities, including indoor and outdoor fitness classes - 25 people maximum for sports practices/training and arts and culture rehearsals; games, tournaments or performances are not permitted - social events, festivals, special events, arts/cultural events and sports events are not permitted - faith gatherings, wedding ceremonies and funeral services can have 150 people outdoors or 50 per cent of an indoor venue’s capacity, to a maximum of 100 - wedding receptions and funeral receptions/visitation are not permitted More info: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20210108004

As of today, Jan. 8, Nova Scotia has 29 active cases of COVID-19. Two new cases are being reported today. One case is in Eastern Zone and one case is in Central Zone. Both cases are related to travel outside Atlantic Canada. The people are self-isolating, as required.

The second wave of COVID-19 is in Nova Scotia and we need to act quickly to slow the spread. That’s why new restrictions will come into force tonight at midnight and continue for two weeks until midnight Dec. 9, with a possibility of extension. Learn more here: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20201124004

As of today, Nov. 19, Nova Scotia has 23 active cases of COVID-19. One new case is being reported today. The new case is in the Central Zone and is currently under investigation. For more information, visit https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20201119006.

As of today, Nov. 18, Nova Scotia has 24 active cases of COVID-19. Three new cases are being reported today in the Central Zone. All the cases are close contacts of previously reported cases. For more information, visit https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20201118003.

I want to thank Nova Scotians for all you’ve done up to this point. You’ve done so much already, but now, we’re asking everybody to dig a little deeper. Today we announced 37 new cases this is serious. So, please, go to work, go to school, get your necessities, and go home. And when you get home, stay the blazes home.

Since November 1st, we have reported 42 new cases of COVID-19 -- and the month is only half over. It has entered two of our schools and a number of our neighbourhoods and businesses. The second wave is here and everything we do impacts what COVID does. If we follow the protocols including keeping our social circles small and staying home when we feel unwell we can reduce the spread of this virus.

As of today, Nov. 17, Nova Scotia has 24 active cases of COVID-19. Five new cases were identified Monday, Nov. 16. The new cases are in the Central Zone. Two are the school-based cases announced yesterday. Two are household contacts of the school-based cases. The other case is a close contact of a previously reported case. Tune in as Dr. Strang and I provide an update.

As of today, Nov. 24, Nova Scotia has 87 active cases of COVID-19. Thirty-seven new cases are being reported today. Thirty-five of the new cases are in Central Zone, and a case in Northern Zone is connected to exposures in Central Zone. All of those cases were identified Monday, Nov. 23. There is also a case, that was identified today, at Northeast Kings Education Centre in Canning, Kings. Co, in Western Zone.... The person is not in school today and is self-isolating. Public health will be in touch with close contacts as part of their ongoing investigation and advise of next steps. Everyone in a class in which a confirmed case attended is being tested and asked to self-isolate for 14 days. Northeast Kings Education Centre will be closed for the remainder of the week and students will be supported to learn at home.

Most of our recent cases of COVID-19 have been among young people who have been to late-night bars and restaurants. That’s why we’ve implemented a broad asymptomatic testing strategy for people who go to or work in late-night bars and restaurants. People who work in or have been to a bar or restaurant in urban or suburban HRM after 10pm in the last two weeks are asked to visit https://covid-self-assessment.novascotia.ca/en to schedule a test. This applies to all bars and rest...aurants open late and serving alcohol in HRM (except the areas east of Porters Lake), and the Enfield and Mount Uniacke areas in both HRM and Hants County. People who are tested through this process do not need to self-isolate while they wait for test results as long as they don’t have symptoms. More info: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20201124001.

Nova Scotia is reporting two additional cases of COVID-19 today, the first cases associated with schools. One person at Graham Creighton Junior High in Cherry Brook and one person at Auburn Drive High in Cole Harbour tested positive for COVID-19. Neither attended school today and both are self-isolating at home. Public health will be in touch with close contacts as part of their ongoing investigation and advise of next steps. Everyone in a class which a confirmed case attend...ed is being tested and asked to self-isolate for 14 days. Students will be supported to learn at home. Only members of the school community who are directed to stay home are required to do so. For more information, visit https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20201116006

As of today, Nov. 23, Nova Scotia has 51 active cases of COVID-19. Eleven new cases are being reported today in Central Zone. Eight are connected to previously reported cases; three are under investigation. One of the cases was detected Saturday, Nov. 21, in a pilot rapid COVID-19 screening program for bar staff and patrons in downtown Halifax. Dr. Strang and I will hold a briefing tomorrow afternoon at 3pm. Nova Scotia is urging people to limit travel for the next two wee...ks. I respect the decision of the provinces of Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador to take further steps at this time. Our border with New Brunswick continues to be monitored. There are a number of people on both sides of our shared border who drive back and forth for work or other essential reasons, and they can continue to do so. But for anyone considering a shopping trip or other non-essential travel, we are asking you not to. This is another step we can take to slow the spread of COVID-19. The recent rise in case numbers has led to new restrictions in metro Halifax Regional Municipality and parts of Hants County, which came into effect today, Nov. 23. The restrictions can be found at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/county-restrictions/ For more information, visit https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20201123005.