by Lots of news on the COVID-19 front today as the province reports over 500 new cases, an outbreak at a local long-term care facility and plans to open up eligibility for booster doses next week.
There are outbreaks being reported at the Waterford Heights long-term care unit in New Waterford and at the Victoria General in Halifax.
The province says less than five people are affected at each facility.
It says everyone in both facilities is being closely monitored and other infection prevention and control measures are being put in place.
The province also announced today booking for booster doses opens up on Monday to people 30 and older who got their first two doses at least 168 days before.
While access to boosters is opening up, Premier Tim Houston and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang say the health system is stretched thin and the province needs more people to help administer vaccines, including existing and retired healthcare professionals.
Anyone who has the expertise to administer a vaccine, or those interested in helping in a non-medical role, can express their interest online at www.nshealth.ca/covidjobs.
Meanwhile, 511 new cases are being reported today, with 331 in the Central Zone, 56 in the Eastern Zone, 59 in the Northern Zone and 65 in the Western Zone.
However, Strang says trends in case numbers and hospitalization numbers are now more important than daily cases in tracking the course of the pandemic.
There are now 25 people in the province in hospital with COVID-19.
That’s up from 24 yesterday.
Three of those people are in intensive care.
The province is also updating its masking recommendations today, advising people to wear three-layer masks.