We’re getting a clearer picture of the strain on the health care system due to COVID.
Premier Tim Houston says there are a total of 256 people in hospital with the virus.
That figure includes 83 admitted for COVID and are being treated in specialized units.
“This number is an indicator of the direct impact this variant is having on people’s lives,” he says. “The ability to work and enjoy life.”
107 more contracted it while in hospital, and 66 were admitted for something else but were discovered to have COVID-19 through the intake process.
There are 12 in intensive care.
Meantime, Dr. Robert Strang says the healthcare system has been stretched thin.
“Hospitals are full,” Strang says. “In fact, they’re beyond 100 per cent capacity.”
The age range of those in hospital is 29-100 years old with an average hospital stay due to the virus at 6.5 days.
Meantime, in the latest update our province is reporting 11 new hospital admissions, five discharges and three deaths related to COVID-19.
— a man in his 60s in Central Zone
— a man in his 80s in Central Zone
— a woman in her 80s in Central Zone
Eight people have now died from the virus since the weekend.
The vaccination status of those in hospital is:
— 12 (14.5 per cent) people have had a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine
— 51 (61.4 per cent) are fully vaccinated (two doses)
— 3 (3.6 per cent) are partially vaccinated
— 17 (20.5 per cent) are unvaccinated.
It is important to note that less than 10 per cent of Nova Scotians are unvaccinated.
Vaccine Coverage:
As of January 18, 1,979,992 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered. Of those, 90.7 per cent of Nova Scotians have received their first dose, and 83.2 per cent have received their second dose.
As well, 38.6 per cent of Nova Scotians 18 and older have received a booster dose and 11.4 per cent have booked a booster dose appointment.
Cases and Testing:
On January 18, Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) labs completed 4,232 tests. An additional 527 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 are being reported.
There are 267 cases in Central Zone, 144 cases in Eastern Zone, 49 cases in Northern Zone and 67 cases in Western Zone.
There are an estimated 5,374 active cases of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia.
Hospital and Long-Term Care Outbreaks:
The NSHA is reporting a new outbreak in a ward at Cape Breton Regional Hospital. Fewer then five patients at each facility have tested positive. All patients are being closely monitored and other infection prevention and control measures are being put in place.
The Province is reporting seven outbreaks in long-term care facilities:
— three staff at North Queens Nursing Home in Caledonia
— six staff and three residents at Shoreham Village in Chester
— four staff and 10 residents at Oakwood Terrace in Dartmouth
— 14 staff and six residents at Saint Vincent’s Nursing Home in Halifax
— four staff at Wynn Park Villa in Truro
— two staff and one resident at Cedarstone Enhanced Care in Truro
–three staff at Harbourstone in Sydney
Public health is working with the facilities to prevent further spread. Increased public health measures and restrictions are in place.
