News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Public Health has confirmed that a person 90 or over in Zone 1 (Moncton region) has died as a result of COVID-19. This brings the total number of COVID-19-related deaths in the province to 57.

“Marcia and I were saddened to learn today that another New Brunswicker has lost their life as a result of COVID-19,” said Premier Blaine Higgs. “We express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of everyone who has lost a loved one over the past few days as a result of this virus. Our thoughts and prayers are with all who have been impacted by these tragic losses.”

“My heart goes out to the family and friends of this individual, as well as to the other loved ones who have lost someone to COVID-19,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. “Your loss is felt by everyone in this province.”

Public Health reported 84 new cases of COVID-19 and 58 recoveries, bringing the number of active cases to 657. Of the new cases, 67 – or 80 per cent – are not fully vaccinated.

There are 40 people hospitalized due to the virus, with 16 in an intensive care unit. No one under the age of 19 is currently hospitalized.

Of the 71 hospitalizations between Aug. 1 and Sept. 28, 11 or 15.5 per cent were fully vaccinated, four or 5.6 per cent were partially vaccinated and 56 or 78.9 per cent were unvaccinated.

“I thank our frontline workers and first responders who have been working since the beginning of this pandemic to keep us safe,” said Higgs. “We are very aware we have a critical shortage of nurses in this province. The best thing we can do to help nurses is to increase the number of nurses working in New Brunswick hospitals – and we are committed to doing that.”

Vaccination update

Public Health also reported today that 79.8 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 88.7 per cent have received their first dose of a vaccine.

If you have not yet had your first or second dose, you are asked to go to a walk-in clinic or book an appointment through a participating pharmacy or at a Vitalité or Horizon health network clinic as soon as possible.

All eligible New Brunswickers can book their second-dose appointments for a date that is at least 28 days after their first dose.

Those attending a vaccination clinic are asked to bring their Medicare card, a signed consent form and, for those receiving their second dose, a copy of the record of immunization provided after receiving their first dose.

A list of upcoming mobile and walk-in clinics is available online.

Booster dose of mRNA vaccines for seniors in long-term care

Beginning in October, a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine will be available for seniors living in long-term care homes and other communal settings who have already received two doses of a vaccine.

“Our plan is to administer the booster dose along with our annual flu vaccine campaign,” said Russell. “New advice from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization makes it possible for us to provide both vaccines at the same time.”

The recommended interval for a booster dose of mRNA vaccine is at least four weeks after the second dose.

Third doses of mRNA vaccines are currently available to people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised due to a medical condition or treatment. A complete list of medical conditions and treatments that would result in a person being recommended to receive a third dose is available online.

Regional breakdown of new cases

The 27 new cases in Zone 1 (Moncton region) are as follows:

·         10 people 19 and under;

·         two people 20-29;

·         eight people 30-39;

·         four people 40-49; and

·         three people 50-59.

Nineteen cases are under investigation and eight are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

The nine new cases in Zone 2 (Saint John region) are as follows:

·         four people 19 and under;

·         two people 20-29;

·         a person 30-39;

·         a person 60-69; and

·         a person 70-79.

Five cases are under investigation and four are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

The 24 new cases in Zone 3 (Fredericton region) are as follows:

·         eight people 19 and under;

·         two people 20-29;

·         two people 30-39;

·         two people 40-49;

·         five people 50-59;

·         four people 60-69; and

·         one person 70-79.

Nineteen cases are under investigation and five are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

The 15 new cases in Zone 4 (Edmundston region) are as follows:

·         five people 19 and under;

·         two people 20-29;

·         four people 30-39;

·         two people 40-49; and

·         two people 50-59.

Eight cases are under investigation and seven are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

The four new cases in Zone 5 (Campbellton region) are as follows:

·         three people 19 and under; and

·         a person 30-39.

All four cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

The four new cases in Zone 6 (Bathurst region) are as follows:

·         two people 20-29;

·         a person 30-39; and

·         a person 50-59.

Two cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases and two are under investigation.

The one new case in Zone 7 (Miramichi region) is a person 50-59. This case is under investigation.

Additional information is available on the COVID-19 dashboard.

State of emergency and public health measures in effect

The provincial government reminds New Brunswickers that, based on the current level of COVID-19 hospitalizations, a state of emergency has been reinstated and a mandatory order is now in effect. It includes measures to limit contacts, ensure physical distancing is maintained, and require certain businesses and events to have a vaccination or masking-and-testing workplace policy. Additional details are available online.

“I know it is never easy for businesses when new rules are introduced, but time and time again throughout the pandemic, the vast majority have stepped up and done what is needed, and I thank the business community for adapting so quickly,” said Higgs. “If you own or manage a business that is not making the effort required to keep us all safe, there will be consequences.”

Other public health measures remain in place, including the mandatory use of masks in indoor public spaces and the requirement to show proof of full vaccination when accessing certain events, services and businesses.

Additional information about these measures is available online.

Confirmed cases in schools and child-care facilities

Positive cases have been confirmed in schools and child-care facilities in Zones 1 (Moncton region), 2 (Saint John region), 3 (Fredericton region), 4 (Edmundston region) and 5 (Campbellton region).

The respective school or child-care communities have been notified. If you or a family member have been in close contact with a case, you will be notified by Public Health or the school or facility for contact tracing. If you are not notified directly, you have not been identified as a close contact.

As per New Brunswick’s Healthy and Safe Schools guidelines, schools with cases will close or move to online learning for at least one calendar day to support contact tracing, risk assessments and operational responses. Districts have contacted families directly with specific information regarding any impact on learning, including information on home learning, if required.

Zone 1 (Moncton region) – A new positive was confirmed at École Anna-Malenfant in Dieppe, which was previously impacted. A positive case was also confirmed at Miracles At First Child Care Centre in Moncton.

Zone 2 (Saint John region) – A positive case was confirmed at Loch Lomond School in Saint John.

Zone 3 (Fredericton region) – A new positive case was confirmed at the following previously impacted schools: Carleton North High School in Florenceville-Bristol and Leo Hayes High School in Fredericton.

Zone 4 (Edmundston region) – A new positive case was confirmed at the following previously impacted schools: Polyvalente Thomas-Albert in Grand Falls and École Mgr. Lang in Drummond. A new positive case was confirmed at Garderie centre éducatifs les petits pas, which was previously impacted.

Zone 5 (Campbellton region) – A new positive was confirmed at the following previously impacted schools: Lord Beaverbrook School and École Galion des Appalaches, both located in Campbellton. A positive case was also confirmed at Garderie Dragon Day Care in Atholville.

Since Sept. 7, 53 schools and 26 early learning and child-care facilities have had confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Potential public exposures

Anyone with symptoms of the virus, as well as anyone who has been at the site of a possible public exposure, is urged to request a test online or call Tele-Care 811 to get an appointment.