Restrictions likely helped curb spread of COVID-19 in N.S., Dalhousie researchers find – CBC
Omicron variant, eased restrictions likely led to more infections, hospitalizations, deaths
Sep 10, 2023
A new report from six Dalhousie University researchers has found government restrictions that limited movement during the first two years of the pandemic likely helped curb the spread of COVID-19.
It also found infection, hospitalizations and deaths increased when restrictions eased and the highly infectious Omicron variant arrived.
In March 2022, Nova Scotia ended its COVID-19 state of emergency and no longer required people to wear masks in most public spaces. The next month, cases in the province hit an all-time high.
“The higher surge in cases and infections and hospitalizations and even deaths were partially attributed to the higher mobility that we observed between people here in Nova Scotia,” said Gustavo Martinez, one of the report’s authors.
