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COVID-19 Daily updates - Wednesday, Apr. 29

Details

Published on Wednesday, April 29, 2020

1:17 p.m. One new COVID-19 case in Ë®¹ûÊÓƵ; 54 active cases in total

Public health officials advise one new case of COVID-19 has been identified as of 9:30 a.m. today, bringing the total number of lab-confirmed positive and probable positive cases in Ë®¹ûÊÓƵ to 273. 

The data also shows:
•    five individuals are currently hospitalized, with no individuals in intensive care; 
•    54 active cases and 213 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19; and
•    the number of deaths due to COVID-19 remains at six.

As of yesterday, an additional 448 laboratory tests were performed. This brings the total number of tests performed since early February to 24,304. 

Today, health officials released information about the models developed in Ë®¹ûÊÓƵ to inform the management plan for the COVID-19 pandemic in Ë®¹ûÊÓƵ. A model for the spread of COVID-19 was created, using data and information available in the scientific literature from other jurisdictions and with input from experts in Ë®¹ûÊÓƵ.  

Officials noted that modelling results are always an abstraction and cannot project all possible outcomes. Outbreaks also evolve and change over time as public health measures are put in place and people’s behaviour changes. Therefore, these projections must be constantly revised. As new information is received, officials will continue to refine the projections, models and health advice for Ë®¹ûÊÓƵns.

Current models show that:
•    under routine public health measures, which include case interviews and contact tracing but which do not include social and physical distancing or travel restrictions, modeling suggests Ë®¹ûÊÓƵ would have had 933 cases by April 25. If that trend had continued, there would have been more than 2,000 cases by mid-May. However, the number of cases on April 25 was 267.
•    under current public health measures, Ë®¹ûÊÓƵ could expect approximately 6,250 cases if the current measures remain in place for a year.
•    the Ë®¹ûÊÓƵ health-care system has 2,432 acute care medical and surgical hospital beds. As of April 26, 977 of these beds were currently vacant and available for COVID-19 patients, a 40 per cent vacancy rate. This shows Ë®¹ûÊÓƵ is well within hospital capacity at this time.
•    the Ë®¹ûÊÓƵ health-care system has 86 adult intensive care hospital beds. As of April 22, 29 of these beds were vacant and available for COVID-19 patients, a 34 per cent vacancy rate. This shows Ë®¹ûÊÓƵ is well within intensive care capacity at this time. 

This data supports the easing of public health measures, as announced earlier today. Officials also noted that planning is underway to add an additional 300 beds and an additional 100 intensive care beds for COVID-19 patients, if needed. Additional capacity options are being investigated if they are necessary.

For up-to-date information on testing criteria and community screening sites, visit . For more information and to access the online screening tool for COVID-19, visit .

A comprehensive list of Ë®¹ûÊÓƵ government COVID-19 measures can be found at: .

11:07 a.m. Roadmap to safely expanding Ë®¹ûÊÓƵ's services revealed– Restrictions ease, physical distancing still in effect

The Ë®¹ûÊÓƵ government has announced the start of a multi-phased effort to gradually restore services, open some businesses and increase recreational opportunities while maintaining social distancing advice.

As of Monday, May 4, a variety of non-essential health-care and retail businesses will have the option to reopen under strict guidelines. All businesses and venues will be required to continue following social distancing and stringent cleaning practices to protect both employees and customers.

Size restrictions of public and private gatherings of no more than 10 people will remain in place. Everyone is expected to continue to follow social distancing rules at all times and to stay home if they are sick. Travel restrictions will remain in place such as avoiding all non-essential travel outside of Ë®¹ûÊÓƵ, and requirements for self-isolation for 14 days following travel will continue.

Restoring Services (Phase One) – Beginning May 4

Critical public health measures and travel restrictions remain. Priority elective surgeries have been restarted, diagnostics screening will resume and some non-essential businesses will reopen but must limit occupancy to 50 per cent of normal business levels or one person per 10 square metres, whichever is lower. Services, businesses and venues include:

• non-urgent surgery and diagnostic procedures;

• therapeutic and medical services;

• retail businesses;

• restaurants – patio/walk-up services;

• hair salons;

• museums, galleries and libraries;

• seasonal day camps; and

• outdoor recreation and campgrounds.

The province will continually re-evaluate and adjust plans for further easing of secondary public health measures and may reintroduce others.

Restoring Services (Phase Two) – No Earlier Than June 1

Critical public health measures and travel restrictions may remain in place. Public gathering sizes may be increased and more non-essential businesses will be considered for reopening including:

• additional personal services, such as nail salons;

• restaurants – dine-in services;

• non-contact children's sports; and

• film production.

Future Phases

Public health measures may be eased further. Additional guidelines will be developed, public gathering sizes will be increased and some non-essential business will fully open. Others may begin to reopen, such as bars, pools and spas, movie theatres and indoor recreational facilities. Travel restrictions may be eased.

Specific considerations for other businesses and sectors may be made including:

• performing arts venues;

• other non-essential businesses;

• tattoo parlours, estheticians, cosmetologists and tanning studios; and

• large gatherings/events.

Mass gatherings such as concerts, summer festivals and major sporting events will not be considered before September 2020, Roussin noted.

Child care plays an important role in restoring services, enabling parents to return to the workplace, and remains a priority. The Department of Families will continue to work with the child-care community to expand the temporary child-care services available, including a grant available to child-care providers seeking to open a new, home-based child-care service.