Province reports 1 COVID-19 death; 15 people hospitalized, 16 discharged

Nova Scotia reported 15 new hospital admissions due to COVID-19 and one additional death on Tuesday.  But the number of people in hospital has dropped slightly to 58 due to 16 discharges with four people in intensive care. The province also reported an additional 616 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19. Just under 68-hundred cases are estimated to still be active in the province.  Premier Tim Houston and Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, will provide a COVID-19 update today – Wednesday, January 12, at 3 p.m.  They will be joined by Dr. Nicole Boutilier, Vice-President of Medicine, Nova Scotia Health.  The update will be livestreamed at: https://novascotia.ca/stayinformed/webcast

There will be a Walk In COVID Testing Clinic on Friday from 11am-3pm at the Pictou Legion. This is for rapid testing or to pick up take home rapid tests.

 

Staffing shortages cause admissions halt at 25 Nova Scotia nursing homes

A provincial government official says 25 of the province’s 133 nursing homes are currently not accepting new admissions.  She says it’s partly because of staffing issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Katelyn Randell, director of long-term care, told the legislature’s health committee yesterday that the “pause” on admissions is to allow facilities to address what she says are “staffing gaps.”  Randell didn’t say how many workers are missing, saying the number changes almost daily. (The Canadian Press)

 

Public hearings into 2020 Nova Scotia mass shooting delayed until late February

The commission of inquiry probing the mass killing in Nova Scotia that claimed 22 lives in April, 2020 is again delaying public hearings, saying they are now expected to begin February 22nd.  The commission had originally planned to begin public sessions on January 25th — which was a date set after an October start was delayed.  The three-person commission looking into the shootings says documents laying out how the killings occurred were circulated to interested parties and required revisions.  The commission says these documents will be provided to the public as hearings occur. (The Canadian Press)

 

Local councillor charged with election offences must find new lawyer

An adjournment in the court case of Peter Boyles, a councillor for the Municipality of Pictou County.  Boyles was charged with 24 offences under the Municipal Election Act last August.  The charges are related to alleged offences in the Trenton election.  But this week the court granted an adjournment to allow Boyles to find a new lawyer after his lawyer withdrew due to conflicts of interest.   The case has been adjourned until February 8th. (With files from SaltWire News)

 

Updates coming to Hector Arena and several other local rinks

Thirty-three rinks across the province in need of upgrades and repairs are receiving almost $1 million through Nova Scotia’s Rink Revitalization Fund.  The province says these are the first projects to receive money through this new fund, which totals $978,483.  Rinks include curling clubs, arenas, and permanent outdoor rinks that are open to the public.  Locally, the Hector Arena Commission Association is receiving the largest funding amount at $150,000, while the Pictou County Wellness Centre Building Authority Inc. will get $115,500. The Westville Curling Club is getting $16,989; while the Stellar Curling Club is in line for $1,763; and the Town of Trenton, gets $4,690

 

Nova Scotia Securities Commission warns public about a crypto trading platform

The Nova Scotia Securities Commission is warning the public about a crypto trading platform that is not registered in the province. It says CoinRise, which claims to be Canada’s fastest growing crypto trading platform, is also the subject of an investor alert in Saskatchewan. The commission says at least one Nova Scotia investor’s account showed substantial gains on the principal investment, although the investor was able to withdraw only a minimal amount of the reported returns and further withdrawal requests were ignored by CoinRise. It says the investor was required to provide personal information including a driver’s licence, passport and a credit card, which risked financial loss and identity theft. (The Canadian Press)

 

Hockey Canada announces women’s team roster for 2022 Olympics

Photo credit: @hockeynovascotia 

Hockey Canada has announced the 23-player roster that will represent Team Canada at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, Feb. 4-20 in Beijing, China.  That roster includes Blayre Turnbull of Stellarton and Jill Saulnier of Halifax. Troy Ryan of Spryfield is the Head Coach and Kori Cheverie of New Glasgow is an Assistant Coach.  Dr. Tina Atkinson of Shelburne is the Team Physician.