Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Another Flu Death Reported

The Public Health Agency of Canada says another Nova Scotian has died as a result of complications from the H-1-N-1 flu virus.
The death occurred between last Thursday and yesterday according to a posting on the agency's web site.
It would be the third flu rated death in the province -- the provincial Chief Medical Officer of Health is expected to release more details this afternoon.

Tourism Holding Its Own

Despite the sluggish economy earlier this year -- tourism numbers are up one percent between January and September compared to the same period a year ago.
The provincial tourism department says that translates into 1.6-million visitors during the period.
The number of people driving to our province is up eight percent while the number of air travellers coming to visit dropped 13-percent compared to last year.

Flu Assessment Clinic Hours Changing

The regional health authority is changing the hours of operation for the Flu Assessment Center at the South Shore Regional Hospital.
Beginning on Monday -- the center will be open between one and 4 through next Friday.
The authority says fewer people have been visiting the center over the past week -- and -- reducing the hours of operation will free up staff to resume other services that have been relocated or deferred.
The health authority says it will continue to monitor the situation and make changes in services as required.

Home Heating Assistance Applications Available

Applications are now being accepted for the provincial heating assistance program.
The program is aimed at Nova Scotians with a combined family income of under 42-thousand dollars a year or single people earning less than 27-thousand dollars.
Those eligible can get up to 200-dollars if they heat their homes with oil - electricity - wood - propane - wood pellets - natural gas - or - coal -- that's 250-dollars less than last year.
More than 54-thousand applications have been mailed out to people who received a rebate last year.

School Support Strike Vote Underway

The new year could bring a strike by unionized school support staff across the province.
The 37-hundred members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees are currently conducting a strike vote with results tallied on the 27th of this month.
The bus drivers - janitors - teacher's aides - and - other support staff have been without a contract since March of 2007.
The union is looking for the same 2.9-percent salary increase granted recently to public school and community college teachers.

Seniors Grants Now Available

Seniors across the province will now have access to a 220-thousand dollar provincial program to help with aging projects.
The Positive Aging Fund will offer grants of up to 10-thousand dollars to non-profit groups to help with their projects.
More information can be found here.