The province’s top doctor says he was disheartened by what he saw in the last 48 hours.
Protestors upset with changes to rules for people coming into the province from New Brunswick blocked the border between the two provinces Tuesday.
The blockade only ended Wednesday.
Dr. Robert Strang, the province’s chief medical officer of health, says he’s troubled by the division of the past few days.
Strang says we just need to stick together for a few more weeks.
“Nova Scotians have, from the very beginning, committed to each other,” he says. “We can put all the restrictions and all the requirements in place, but if people aren’t committing to each other (and) following things because it’s the right thing to do for everybody else in their community and looking after each other, none of this would work.”
Provincial officials say our border with New Brunswick will open- without restrictions or self-isolation requirements- June 30.
Strang says he and Dr. Jennifer Russell, his New Brunswick counterpart, are using the same science.
He says he just wants a little more time to boost second-dose vaccine coverage and watch what happens while New Brunswick borders open to the rest of the country.
“The fundamental issue, I guess, is Dr. Russell and I disagree,” he says. “New Brunswick made a different risk calculation- that’s their choice and their ability to do that.”
Public health officials reported five new cases of COVID-19 Thursday.
All five of the new cases are in the central zone; two are close contacts, two are travel-related, and the other is being investigated.
Six recoveries drop active cases to 59 province-wide.
Three people are in hospital, including one in intensive care.
Close to 3,900 tests were completed Wednesday.
Another school-based case was announced after Thursday’s update; it’s at St. Joseph’s-Alexander McKay Elementary in the central zone.
