Ten New Cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia / Response to COVID-19: Municipal service updates

**** HEALTH/WELLNESS Media Release Ten New Cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia --------------------------------------------------------------- This update will be livestreamed on http://novascotia.ca/stayinformed/webcast . --------------------------------------------------------------- As of today, March 24, Nova Scotia has 51 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Ten new cases were identified Monday, March 23. The cases are travel-related or connected to earlier reported cases. Several of the new cases are connected to groups or families who have returned to Nova Scotia following travel outside of Canada. None of these cases are from spread within the community. The 51 individuals affected range in age from under ten to mid-70's. Cases have been identified in all parts of the province. One individual remains in hospital. One individual has recovered and their case of COVID-19 is considered resolved. Public health has been in contact with these individuals and is working to identify others who may have come in close contact with them. Those individuals are also being directed to self-isolate at home, away from the public, for 14 days. To date, Nova Scotia has 2,474 negative test results and 51 confirmed cases. Anyone who has travelled outside of Nova Scotia must self-isolate for 14 days. If you have travelled outside of Nova Scotia or been in close contact with someone who has travelled and are experiencing fever or new cough you should complete the online questionnaire before calling 811. The online questionnaire can be found at: http://811.novascotia.ca/ Nova Scotians can find accurate, up-to-date information, handwashing posters and fact sheets at http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus . Today's update will be livestreamed at 3 p.m. on http://novascotia.ca/stayinformed/webcast , @nsgov Facebook and YouTube channels.

Response to COVID-19: Municipal service updates

 The Halifax Regional Municipality continues to monitor and respond to the rapidly evolving effects of COVID-19.

The municipality is committed to taking important steps in reducing the spread of COVID-19.

There are no reductions in public safety service levels. All essential services of the municipality – including 311, fire and police – are operational and adhering to the most updated guidance and precautions from health officials.

An important reminder to residents: Please DO NOT call 9-1-1 for non-emergency purposes. Residents can call 3-1-1 and police non-emergency lines.

The following is an update on municipal services:

Parks & Recreation

Trails

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• Consistent with the decision by the Province of Nova Scotia to close all provincial parks,​ all municipal parks, beaches, playgrounds, and sports fields/courts, as well as many trails are closed until further notice.

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• Clarification on municipal trail closures:

• Residential pathways that connect streets can be used.
• Multi-use paths along streets that replace sidewalks can be used.
• Residents can walk/cycle to a trail in their neighborhood only, provided that trail is not connected to or in a park.
• Residents are not permitted to drive to trails outside of their neighbourhood.

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• Residents are not to gather in groups larger than five people and must continue to follow social distancing guidelines in accordance with provincial orders.​

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Recreation Programming

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• All municipal spring recreation programming is cancelled.
• Summer recreation program registration scheduled for April 1 is cancelled. The status of summer recreation programming will be determined at a later date.

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Arenas

• Some municipal arenas will begin to remove ice surfaces in the coming days for maintenance. Should this affect a previous booking, staff will be contacting residents about refunds.

For more information on municipal services during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit Halifax.ca/coronavirus.

Thank you for helping with the community effort to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Quick Facts: -- testing numbers are updated daily at http://novascotia.ca/coronavirus -- Nova Scotia's Health Protection Act gives the chief medical officer of health the authority to give advice to protect public health and decrease risk to public health presented by communicable diseases such as COVID-19 -- a state of emergency was declared under the Emergency Management Act on March 22 and remains in effect until noon, April 5 -- under the state of emergency government can control or prohibit assembly as well as travel to and from areas. It can also coordinate commerce activity and emergency responders Additional Resources: Government of Canada: http://canada.ca/coronavirus Government of Canada toll-free information line 1-833-784-4397       .