new 7 COVID deaths reported this week

There were 37 new hospitalizations due to the virus, and 1,420 new lab confirmed cases

CITYnews halifax \ Meghan Groff

Listen to this article

Nova Scotia is reporting seven new COVID-19 deaths in this week’s epidemiologic summary for the seven-day period ending June 20.

All were over the age of 70.

There were 37 new hospitalizations due to the virus, an increase from 28 the previous week.

But there has been a decrease in lab-confirmed cases — 1,420 this week, down from 1,950 last week.

“It is encouraging to see that we have another week with decreasing COVID-19 activity,” said Dr. Shelley Deeks, Nova Scotia’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health in a news release.

“We have learned a lot about this virus over the last two years. As the weather gets better, I encourage people to have gatherings outdoors where possible, continue to wash your hands, use cough and sneeze etiquette and, most importantly, if you’re sick, stay home.”

To date, 65.8 per cent of Nova Scotians 18 and older have received at least one booster dose, and 74,159 people have received a second.

“Within every age group for whom vaccine is available, unvaccinated people are at higher risk of severe illness than those who are vaccinated,” the province said.

Those over the age of 70 continue to be encouraged to get a second booster, as vaccine-related immunity wanes much more quickly with that age group.

“Most adults under 70 are still well protected against severe illness by their two-dose primary series plus one booster,” the province added.