A Personal Message from CEO and Registrar Pal Mann, P.Eng. on the possible COVID Exposure at Engineers Nova Scotia Holiday Reception

Dear Engineers Nova Scotia Registrants and Friends,

At 7pm on 15 December, Engineers Nova Scotia was informed by one of the attendees at the Engineers Nova Scotia Holiday Reception held at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel on Thursday 9 December 2021 that they developed COVID-19 symptoms on Saturday, 11 December, and have since been diagnosed with COVID-19.

As the infectious period can be up to 48 hours before symptoms begin, the individual has been advised by Nova Scotia Health to inform all close contacts of the infection.

In the context of our Reception, close contacts are defined as:

A close contact is anyone who has been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, while that person was infectious. (see https://www.nshealth.ca/information-covid-19-close-contacts). Exposed means any of the following:

• You were within six feet of the person for at least 15 minutes while indoors.
• You shared dishes, cups, forks or spoons with the person.
• The person coughed or sneezed near you.
• The person touched, hugged or kissed you.

Nova Scotia Health has not classified the Engineers Nova Scotia Holiday Reception as an exposure site, though it may once it manages its backlog. While we have contacted Nova Scotia Health for more direction, their voice mail states it may take up to 72 hours to reply. Based on their website guidance regarding exposures and testing, and pending further direction from Nova Scotia Health, we are recommending that attendees treat our event as a COVID-19 PRECAUTION NOTIFICATION (there has been a potential exposure of minimal risk to the public).

As all attendees were confirmed to be fully vaccinated, Engineers Nova Scotia recommends attendees take the following action as per the Nova Scotia Health public health measures [CLICK HERE for more detail.]

Symptoms that would indicate self-isolation may be required are (CLICK HERE):

• cough (new or worsening)

OR

 2 or more of the following symptoms:

• fever (chills, sweats)
• headache
• runny nose or nasal congestion
• sore throat
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

To book testing, please visit the Nova Scotia Health COVID-19 testing site CLICK HERE .

We will provide updates if we receive any further information from Nova Scotia Health.

If you have any questions, please visit the Nova Scotia Health COVID-19 website at http://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirus .

We regret this significant inconvenience and disruption prior to the Holiday Season. We ask for your understanding in the face of this unfortunate development; the individual who has been diagnosed had no symptoms prior to, or during the Reception, and has shown the necessary due diligence in informing us immediately after receiving direction via email from Nova Scotia Health.While Engineers Nova Scotia still believes the exposure risk as low, it is our duty to advise you of the potential exposure so that you may take the appropriate action given the nature of this virus.

Best regards,

Pal Mann, P.Eng.
CEO & Registrar