N.S. reports 46 in designated COVID-19 units on Thursday
CBC
Nova Scotia reported 46 people in designated COVID-19 hospital units on Thursday, including 12 in ICU.
The age range of those in hospital is 0 to 96 years old, with a median age of 67, according to a news release. The average length of stay in the hospital is 6½ days.
The vaccination status of those in hospital is:
Only about 7.9 per cent of Nova Scotians remain unvaccinated.
Premier Tim Houston said Wednesday that "if everything stays on course" all restrictions, including mask mandates, will be lifted by March 21. Houston said "COVID zero" is not a reality right now. He said "living with COVID" has to be our new reality.
Nova Scotia Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang said proof of vaccination for discretionary activities, such as going to the gym, restaurants, sports or arts and cultural events, will no longer be required as of Feb. 28, but it will still be required for a while longer in higher-risk settings like hospitals and long-term care homes.
On Thursday, Nova Scotia's health authority said there is no plan to allow health-care workers who refused vaccination to return to work when the province drops its vaccine passport requirement.
In early December, the province placed more than 1,000 public sector workers who refused to adhere to the province's mandatory vaccination policy on leave. That included 323 Nova Scotia Health staff.
"It's not new for people that work in health care to have to have a slate of vaccinations. I mean, this is this is something that's been around for a long time. You need to have certain certain vaccinations to work in health care," Houston said Thursday.
"These discussions are going on but my personal belief is that we will see the COVID vaccines added to the list of existing vaccines that you would need."
The province also announced Thursday that Nova Scotians who test positive for COVID-19 using a rapid test can once again confirm their results with a lab-based PCR test.
The health authority said its microbiology lab now has the capacity to resume the service thanks to a continued decline in COVID-19 cases in the province.
On March 7, places like restaurants and bars, finance facilities and movie theatres will be able to operate at 75 per cent capacity with distancing "as much can be achieved with their specific physical space." This also applies to events like tournaments, competitions, faith gatherings and meetings.
The informal gathering limit will be 25 people indoors but increase to 50 outdoors.
A judge ruled Thursday to remove an injunction in place since the summer against Alberta's law prohibiting doctors from providing gender-affirming care to youth.
A pedestrian is dead and another is in life-threatening condition after two vehicles collided in Richmond Hill on Thursday, striking three people, police say.
A Pelly Crossing, Yukon, resident said he's frustrated over the fact he's still waiting to get paid for work he did during last month's territorial election.
A few days after Michael Ma decided to cross the floor to the Liberals, Pierre Poilievre was asked whether the loss of another MP was a problem for his leadership of the Conservative Party.
Ontario released a new curriculum for kindergarten in the province on Thursday, but the shift away from “play-based” learning towards “academic rigor” is sparking concern from teachers and opposition.
Ekati Diamond Mine is getting a a $115 million loan from the Canadian government to continue operations at the mine and protect jobs, its owner announced Thursday.
Prime Minister Mark Carney reaffirmed he'll protect Canada's supply management system, as the United States signalled it's ready to fight over this country's dairy rules at the negotiating table.
It all started with a 14-year-old Indigenous boy who was sitting in jail last year, not because he couldn’t get bail, but because he had nowhere to go once released.
Several people dressed as Santa and a group of masked elves were filmed at a grocery store in Montreal on Monday night filling up carts with food.
Three of the biggest players in P.E.I.’s health-care system have reached an agreement that sets more flexible models for how many patients family doctors can and should handle.
A London man is facing charges after allegedly emailing death threats to London's city hall.
Prosecutors have withdrawn a second-degree murder charge against a man who spent 23 years in prison for the killing of a 10-year-old girl in 1989.
The Redwood Meadows fire station was badly damaged by a fire on Wednesday evening.