HALIFAX — Nova Scotia is reporting two more deaths related to COVID-19 and 84 new virus cases today. 

Health officials say two men in their 70s have died in hospital in the Halifax area, bringing the number of deaths from the disease in the province to 76 since the beginning of the pandemic.

Officials have identified 66 new cases in the Halifax area, 11 in the province’s eastern zone, six in the northern zone and one in the western region.

The province has 1,028 known active cases of novel coronavirus, with 84 people in hospital, including 21 in intensive care.

Premier Iain Rankin also announced another $17.2 million in assistance for small businesses struggling during the current lockdown, which was extended on Wednesday until at least the second week of June.

Rankin says the province will top up payments made to all small businesses that qualify under the program by another $5,000.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 21, 2021.

The Canadian Press