Nova Scotians who were at more than 20 possible COVID-19 exposures sites across the province are being asked to self-isolate in most cases as they await test results.
Nova Scotia’s health authority reported a long list of possible exposures Saturday night, mostly in the central health zone where community spread of the virus has been a concern as cases rise.
The province reported a record 63 new cases on Sunday for a total of 263 active cases. It is the highest single-day increase for Nova Scotia since the pandemic began.
There were 52 cases announced Saturday for a two-day total of 115.
The previous highest number of new cases in a day was almost exactly a year ago on April 23, 2020 when 55 cases were announced.
Anyone who worked at or visited any of these locations should book a COVID-19 test on the self-assessment website or by contacting 811, regardless of whether they have COVID-19 symptoms.
Following their new direction to not list “low-risk” locations” in the central zone, everyone who was at the following locations during the listed times now needs to self-isolate while they await test results.
One Halifax site goes a step further. Those who were at the following bar during the listed times are required to self-isolate, get tested and continue self-isolating for 14 days, even with a negative test result:
There were also multiple possible exposures in the eastern and northern zones where people also need to self-isolate while awaiting test results, including:
Sydney also had two exposures where anyone who attended these locations do not have to self-isolate while they await test results, unless they have symptoms:
Another flight exposure was also announced. Anyone who was on the plane in these specified rows and seats should book a COVID-19 test, and all other passengers should continue to self-isolate as required.
To search by exposure site name or area, anyone can also visit the provincial database here.
Testing ramped up in Cape Breton
The health authority is also offering additional asymptomatic testing in Sydney on Sunday and Monday in response to the recent increase of potential COVID-19 public exposures and the heightened demand for testing, according to a release.
The testing site will be located in the cafeteria of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital at 1482 George St. To access the site, people should park in the back or side parking lots of the hospital, and enter through the rear entrance.
This clinic is available for all ages, and drop-ins only from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You will be required to register upon arrival, and registration closes at 3:30 p.m.
Dates and times may be extended depending on demand.
Long lines formed for rapid testing sites in the Halifax area on Sunday as well, some even before the doors opened. These include:
More school cases announced
The province announced five new school-related cases Saturday evening. It wasn’t immediately clear whether these cases were part of Saturday’s initial case numbers.
In a release, officials confirmed cases at Caledonia Junior High and Prince Andrew High School in Dartmouth, Citadel High School in Halifax, and Breton Education Centre in New Waterford.
There was also a case connected to Astral Drive Elementary, which was one of more than two dozen Dartmouth-area schools closed last week due to concerns over COVID-19.
Students in the Prince Andrew family of schools, which includes Caledonia Junior High, will switch to at-home learning until May 10.
Citadel High School students will also switch to at-home learning; according to the release, families will receive an update on Sunday about when the building will reopen.
Students from the Breton Education Centre will learn from home until April 29 while a deep cleaning takes place.
