HALIFAX — Nova Scotia is reporting another record single-day increase in COVID-19 cases with 476 new cases in the province today. 

There are 333 cases in the Central Zone, 82 cases in the Eastern Zone, 43 cases in the Northern Zone and 18 cases in the Western Zone.   

Officials say because of the spike in testing and positive cases, public health is experiencing some delays in follow-up.   

They say public health will try to contact anyone confirmed positive by the lab within 24 hours to provide information on required isolation and testing.   

All positive cases are asked to contact their close contacts.   

Close contacts, including those who are fully vaccinated, now need to isolate for 72 hours after the exposure and then get a lab-based test.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 19, 2021. 

The Canadian Press