News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Public Health has confirmed that two people have died as a result of COVID-19. This brings the total number of COVID-19-related deaths in the province to 82.

A person 70-79 in Zone 3 (Fredericton region) and a person 90 and over in Zone 7 (Miramichi region) have died.

“We know that fully vaccinated individuals are much less likely to become hospitalized or lose their life if they are exposed to the virus,” said Premier Blaine Higgs. “I urge any eligible New Brunswicker who has not yet been vaccinated to book an appointment immediately to protect yourself and your loved ones. Two more people have lost their lives today, which is a tragic reminder of the damage COVID-19 can cause.”

“It is heartbreaking to learn today that two more people have passed away as a result of the virus,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. “I share my condolences with the family and friends who are mourning the loss of these individuals. We all have a role to play in helping to get COVID-19 under control, which includes following the rules under the mandatory order and getting fully vaccinated if you have not already done so.”

There are 63 people hospitalized due to the virus, with 19 in an intensive care unit. No one under the age of 19 is hospitalized. Of those in hospital, 39 are unvaccinated, five are partially vaccinated and 19 are fully vaccinated. Of the 19 in an intensive care unit, 17 are unvaccinated and two are partially vaccinated.

Public Health reported 133 new cases of COVID-19 today and 102 recoveries. Of the new cases, 75 – or 56 per cent – are unvaccinated, 10 – or eight per cent – are partially vaccinated, and 48 – or 36 per cent – are fully vaccinated. The number of active cases is 1,103.

Rapid-testing program expands

People in parts of circuit breaker areas who do not have COVID-19 symptoms will be able to pick up free rapid-test kits which they can administer at home. They will be available in the following locations on Saturday, Oct. 16, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

·         Magic Mountain parking lot, 150 Magic Mountain Rd., Moncton

·         Perth-Andover Middle School, 20 Nissen St., Perth-Andover

·         Town Hall (rear parking lot), 131 Pleasant St., Grand Falls

The program is for people two and older who do not have symptoms and have not been identified by Public Health as a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case. A testing kit has five tests to be used over a 10-day period. People 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult to acquire a testing kit.

“It is so important that anyone who has a positive result on a rapid test contacts an assessment centre to get a PCR test,” said Russell. “Everyone must remember that a rapid test reflects a person’s status for that moment in time.”

Although the program is starting in the circuit breaker areas, it will be expanded across the province.

Hospital status

Due to the current COVID-19 situation, all hospitals and health-care facilities in the province have returned to Red-level protocols. Measures are in place to address the strain on health-care workers and on the system. Additional information is available on the Horizon Health Network website and the Vitalité Health Network website.

Vaccination update

Public Health reported today that 81.8 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 91.0 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.

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), 5 (Campbellton region), 6 (Bathurst region) and 7 (Miramichi 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.

Under New Brunswick’s Healthy and Safe Schools guidelines, schools with cases may 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 case or cases have been confirmed at École Le Sommet in Moncton and École Mont-Carmel in Sainte-Marie-de-Kent, which were both previously impacted. A case has also been confirmed Wee College Crandall in Moncton.

Zone 2 (Saint John region) – A new case has been confirmed at Campobello Island Consolidated School, which was previously impacted.

Zone 3 (Fredericton region) – A new case has been confirmed at Hartland Community School, which was previously impacted.

Zone 5 (Campbellton region) – A new case has been confirmed at École la Mosaïque du Nord in Balmoral, which was previously impacted. A case has been confirmed at Garderie des Grands Amis in Dundee.

Zone 6 (Bathurst region) – A case has been confirmed at Halte scolaire Le Tremplin and Halte scolaire Le Tremplin 2, both located in Tracadie.

Zone 7 (Miramichi region) – A new case has been confirmed at King Street Elementary School in Miramichi, which was previously impacted.

Since Sept. 7, 98 schools and 53 early learning and child-care facilities have had confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Circuit breaker in areas with high transmission now in effect

Due to the high number of COVID-19 transmissions, a 14-day circuit breaker went into effect at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8, for certain areas of the province.

These areas are Zone 1 (Moncton region) as far north as and including Sainte-Anne-de-Kent and including Havelock in Zone 2; the northern portion of Zone 3 from and including Deerville and Florenceville-Bristol; and all of Zone 4 (Edmundston region), including Menneval in Zone 5.

More information about the circuit breaker rules, including a detailed list and map of affected communities, is available online.

Regional breakdown of new cases

The 39 new cases in Zone 1 (Moncton region) are as follows:

• 15 people 19 and under;
• three people 20-29;
• three people 30-39;
• five people 40-49;
• three people 50-59;
• three people 60-69;
• a person 70-79;
• four people 80-89; and
• two people 90 and over.

Thirty-six cases are under investigation and three are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

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

• two people 19 and under;
• a person 30-39;
• a person 50-59;
• three people 70-79;
• a person 80-89; and
• a person 90 and over.

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

The 25 new cases in Zone 3 (Fredericton region) are as follows:

• 13 people 19 and under;
• two people 30-39;
• five people 40-49;
• a person 50-59;
• a person 60-69; and
• three people 70-79.

Twenty-one cases are under investigation and four are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

The 29 new cases in Zone 4 (Edmundston region) are as follows;

• five people 19 and under;
• three people 20-29;
• four people 30-39;
• four people 40-49;
• five people 50-59;
• four people 60-69;
• two people 70-79; and
• two people 80-89.

Twenty-one cases are under investigation and eight are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

The 17 new cases in Zone 5 (Campbellton region) are as follows:

• a person 19 and under;
• three people 20-29;
• three people 30-39;
• two people 40-49;
• two people 50-59;
• a person 60-69;
• two people 70-79; and
• three people 80-89.

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

The three new cases in Zone 6 (Bathurst region) are people 19 and under. All three are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

The 11 new cases in Zone 7 (Miramichi region) are as follows:

• a person 19 and under;
• a person 20-29;
• a person 30-39;
• a person 50-59;
• two people 60-69;
• three people 70-79; and
• two people 90 and over.

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

Additional information is available on the COVID-19 dashboard.

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 to get an appointment.

A map of potential public exposures can also be found on the COVID-19 dashboard.