Nova Scotia reported 2,513 new laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19, 59 hospitalizations and 24 deaths during the seven-day period ending May 16. The number of new cases – including those involving long-term care outbreaks – and the number of new hospital admissions continue to decline, as from the peak of the sixth wave in April.
“Reducing new cases and hospitalizations is welcome news, but my thoughts are with the 24 families who have lost loved ones to COVID-19,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer. “Getting vaccinated, wearing a mask, staying home when we are sick are small signs of respect for these families and many others whose lives have been and still are affected by this virus.”
Overall, the data show that the risk of hospitalization is nearly 11 times higher, and the risk of death is nearly 114 times higher for people aged 70 and over than younger people. Of the 24 deaths reported this week, 22 (91.7%) were aged 70 or over. Nine people (37.5 percent) lived in long-term care facilities.
Vaccination continues to offer significant protection against severe outcomes in all age groups. While the number of hospitalizations and deaths during Omicron waves is higher than in previous waves – including among people aged 70 and over – overall levels are lower, in part due to vaccine protection. However, evidence shows that the immunity acquired by the vaccine decreases more rapidly than those aged 70 years and older, so a second booster dose is recommended for this group.
In all age groups, the unvaccinated continue to be at the highest risk of serious illness. The data show that having three doses of vaccine – a complete primary series and a booster – reduces the risk of hospitalization by 85 percent and the risk of death by more than 92 percent.
The weekly epidemiological summary of COVID-19 is being prepared for the Chief Medical Officer of Health and his team to inform the public health management of the pandemic. It tracks weekly trends and focuses on monitoring severe outcomes in key populations. The full report is available here:
For the seven-day period ending on 16 May:
- there were 2513 new cases confirmed by PCR
- there are 59 new hospitalizations due to COVID-19
- there are 24 deaths from COVID-19 reported in Panorama, the public health information system.
From the beginning of the fifth wave (December 8, 2021):
- the mean age of PCR-confirmed cases of COVID-19 was 43 years
- the average age of hospitalizations is 71 years
- the average age of registered deaths is 81 years.
As of 19 May, 65.5% of Nova Scotians aged 18 and over had received a booster dose and 52,725 people had received a fourth dose of the vaccine.
Quick facts:
- the sixth wave of the pandemic began on March 1
- other respiratory viruses are also in the province, and for the week ending May 14, there are 25 new cases of influenza; 84% were in people aged 44 years or younger
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