N.S. tightens COVID-19 rules as omicron cases found amid St. FX outbreak

Physical distancing and capacity restrictions are back in Nova Scotia as the province continues to battle an outbreak of COVID-19 at St. Francis Xavier University and the first confirmed cases of the omicron variant in the province.

"The reality is cases across the country are up and we hoped to be immune here in Nova Scotia but we're not," Premier Tim Houston said during a briefing on Monday.

Nova Scotia reported 114 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, with 55 cases in central zone, 52 cases in eastern zone, five cases in western zone, and two cases in northern zone. Six people are in hospital, including two in intensive care. There are no hospitalizations in eastern zone, which includes St. FX and the Antigonish area.

Forty previously reported cases have been confirmed as omicron variant cases by the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg. They all came from the Antigonish area, Nova Scotia Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang said Monday. He added that delta variant cases were also identified as part of the St. FX outbreak.

Nova Scotia reported more than 100 cases per day the last four days. COVID-19 positive cases haven't been this high since May, during the third wave of the pandemic.

The recent rise in cases is due to an outbreak at St. FX following events related to the annual X-Ring ceremony at locations both on and off-campus. On Saturday the university's president, Andy Hakin, apologized for the school's role in the outbreak. 

Hakin also said in a statement to the community late Sunday that he is among those infected.

Strang said it's possible the outbreak at St. FX is connected to an outbreak at Queen's University in Kingston, Ont. He said the Dalhousie men's rugby team travelled to Kingston to participate in the Canadian University Men's Rugby Championship, which was held Nov. 24-28. He said authorities in Ontario subsequently declared an outbreak at that event, and there is potentially a link to St. FX.

Strang said the case numbers connected to the Antigonish outbreak are more than he anticipated.

"I think what we're actually seeing is how transmissible and how easily this omicron virus can spread," he said. 

Houston said people are testing positive between two to three days of exposure. He said most of the symptoms people have been reporting are mild and — despite rumours — there have been no hospitalizations.

Houston said schools will remain open.

The province also confirmed an outbreak at Parkland Antigonish, a retirement community. Two residents and two staff have tested positive so far. One staff member from Mary's Court, a licensed long-term care neighbourhood, has also tested positive. 

All staff and residents are fully vaccinated. All residents of Mary's Court have had a third dose of the vaccine. Public Health is working with the facility to prevent more spread.