Mutated Covid-19 Strains Discovered In Nova Scotia
HALIFAX — New, more infectious strains of the Covid-19 virus, from both the United Kingdom and South Africa, have been found in Nova Scotia.
One instance of each strain has been identified in positive Covid-19 cases from December. The mutated strains of the Covid-19 virus first surfaced internationally around the end of 2020, but until now had not been identified in Nova Scotia.
Dr. Robert Strang, the province’s chief medical officer of health, said in a Friday afternoon press briefing that in both cases the infected person arrived in the province after travelling internationally and followed the proper quarantine measures.
Strang said neither of the cases resulted in a spread in the community, however, the person infected with the South African variant did infect members of their household.
“I know this news is not what anyone wants to hear but… this is not unexpected,” Strang said, adding that the news “actually shows that our surveillance system works.”
Strang said that, while the mutated Covid-19 strains are more infections, the way to prevent them from spreading is exactly the same as with the original virus strain.
“The variants don’t require us to do anything different in Nova Scotia, they’re just a reminder we have to stay … vigilant in what we’re doing,” he said
Right now, the province is awaiting results from approximately 20-30 additional tests to see if they are the new Covid-19 strains.
Strang added that the province continues to send for sequencing all positive tests connected to international travel, as well as cases that show particular warning signs they might be the more infections strains.
He said the news that the mutated strains have reached Nova Scotia reinforces why we need to maintain federal and provincial border measures and that “it certainly is another reason why we need to continue our cautious approach to Covid-19 in Nova Scotia.”
With that in mind, Premier Stephen McNeil announced Friday that most of the government’s Covid-19 restrictions, which were set to expire on Sunday, will remain in place for another two weeks.
That means restaurants and cafes must continue to operate under reduced hours and at reduced capacity. Retail shops must also continue to operate at reduced capacity and gathering limits remain in place for individuals.
“We are still in the middle of a severe second wave of Covid-19 with other provinces and countries facing high case numbers. That’s why we are continuing our cautious approach in easing restrictions,” McNeil said.
However, the province is easing some restrictions for sports and arts and culture groups, such as allowing sports teams to resume regular competitions without fans present.
Although restrictions remain for most people crossing the provincial border with New Brunswick, the province has created a special travel protocol that will allow people who must cross to avoid the mandatory 14-day quarantine.
“I recognize that while some of you were looking for greater loosening of restrictions after getting through the holidays… we need to recognize that we are still in the middle of a severe second wave that is all around us,” Strang said.