Nova Scotia reported 1,584 new laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19, 40 hospitalizations and 13 deaths during the seven-day period ending May 23. The number of new cases – including those related to long-term care outbreaks – continues to decline, as does the number of new hospitalizations.
“The pandemic is not over, but as we emerge from this latest wave of Omicron, I am optimistic about what summer may be like in Nova Scotia,” said Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s chief medical officer. “I know we are all looking forward to reconnecting with friends, family and loved ones. There are ways to do this safely and in a way that protects high-risk people: gather outside when you can, stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, and stay home if you are sick.
Age continues to be the factor most closely linked to the severe results of COVID-19:
- since the beginning of the Omicron waves on December 8, 2021, the average age of laboratory-confirmed cases is 43, while the average age for hospitalizations and deaths is almost double, at 71 and 81, respectively.
- the risk of hospitalization is more than 10 times higher for those aged 70 and over than for people under 50 and the risk of death is more than 110 times higher
- of the 13 deaths reported this week, 11 (85 percent) were in people aged 70 and over and 7 (54 percent) were in long-term care.
COVID-19 vaccines provide the best layer of protection against severe outcomes. Most people between the ages of 12 and 69 are well protected from a primary series of two doses plus one booster. Immunity from the vaccine decreases more rapidly in people 70 years of age and older. People in this age group are also more likely to need to be hospitalized or die from COVID-19. For these reasons, a second booster dose of vaccine is recommended for this age group.
To date, 65.6% of Nova Scotians aged 18 and over have received at least one booster dose, and 59,631 have received a second.
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:
Quick facts:
- the sixth wave of the pandemic began on March 1
- the public dashboard will continue to be updated until the end of June
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