COVID Impact Still Felt in Nova Scotia

Nine more Nova Scotians have died while 41 others were sent to hospital as a result of COVID-19.

Those are the numbers in this week’s COVID update from Nova Scotia Health.

The report also shows 1,563 new lab-confirmed cases.

Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's Chief Medical Officer of Health says, “We have learned so much about COVID-19, how the virus is spread, who is at highest risk of severe outcomes, and the personal actions we can take to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and each other.”

Strang added, "Virus activity has slowed over the last several weeks, but it hasn't stopped. COVID-19 is here to stay, so we need to continue to keep each other safe.”

People 70 years of age and older continue to be at highest risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19. Since the start of the Omicron waves December 8, 2021, the median age of hospitalizations is 71, and the median age of people who have died is 81. All of the COVID deaths reported this week were people 70 years of age or older.

The data show that the risk of hospitalization is nearly 11 times higher for people 70 and older and the risk of death about 115 times higher when compared to those under 50. 

Further, vaccine-related immunity wanes much more quickly in people 70 and older, which is why a second booster dose is recommended. Most adults under 70 are still well protected by their two-dose primary series plus one booster.

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