FREDERICTON (GNB) – Public Health has confirmed that three people have died as a result of COVID-19. This brings the total number of COVID-19-related deaths in the province to 94.
A person 80-89 in Zone 5 (Campbellton region) and two people 90 and over – one in Zone 1 (Moncton region) and one in Zone 4 (Edmundston region) – have died.
“I was saddened to learn that three people have died in our province from this virus,” said Premier Blaine Higgs. “It is important we continue to follow the rules, to protect ourselves and our loved ones. This is the fifth consecutive day we have seen a decline in the number of new cases and we all must do our part if we want this trend to continue.”
“I know all New Brunswickers join me in mourning the loss of another three people to COVID-19,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. “We must continue to take the steps necessary to slow the spread of the virus. We all have a role to play in getting us through the fourth wave.”
Of the 57 people hospitalized due to the virus, 23 are unvaccinated, five are partially vaccinated and 29 are fully vaccinated. There are 18 people in an intensive care unit, 17 of whom are unvaccinated; the other is partially vaccinated.
Public Health reported 50 new cases of COVID-19 today and 122 recoveries, dropping the number of active cases to 774. Of the new cases, 26 – or 52 per cent – are unvaccinated, six – or 12 per cent – are partially vaccinated, and 18 – or 36 per cent – are fully vaccinated.
Booster dose of mRNA vaccines available for health-care personnel and First Nations
Beginning the week of Oct. 25, health-care personnel – including those working in long-term care facilities – and residents of First Nations communities will be able to receive an mRNA COVID-19 booster dose if six months have passed since their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
“It is important we continue to take steps to protect those working and living in situations where they may be vulnerable to the virus,” said Russell. “Our health-care workers are a great example of this, as they have been on the front lines of this pandemic since it began.”
Appointments for a booster dose for these groups will be available beginning on Oct. 25.
Details on booster doses for other groups will be available in the coming weeks.
Rapid-tests available for pickup at locations throughout province
Free rapid COVID-19 tests that people can administer at home are now available for those who have not tested positive for COVID-19.
On Monday 11,822 rapid-test kits were distributed across the province.
The tests are designed for people two and older. Most kits have five tests to be used over a 10-day period. People 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult to acquire a kit.
All the locations will be open during their scheduled hours or until the daily supply has been given out. New supplies of test kits will continue to be delivered to the pickup locations throughout the week.
Anyone who has been directed by Public Health to isolate is not permitted to leave isolation if they receive a negative result from a rapid-test kit.
A full list of locations is available on both Vitalité’s and Horizon’s website. More information on the rapid-test kits program is available online.
Vaccination update
Public Health reported today that 82.7 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 91.7 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.
Confirmed cases in schools and child-care facilities
Information on cases in schools is now available on the Healthy and Safe Schools website and the COVID-19 dashboard.
Positive cases have been confirmed in child-care facilities in Zone 5 (Campbellton region). Affected families 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 facility for contact tracing. If you are not notified directly, you have not been identified as a close contact.
Zone 5 (Campbellton region) – A new case has been confirmed at Garderie les Débrouillards in Val d’Amour.
Since Sept. 7, 56 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 22 new cases in Zone 1 (Moncton region) are as follows:
• six people 19 and under;
• three people 20-29;
• five people 30-39;
• four people 40-49;
• two people 50-59; and
• two people 60-69.
All 22 cases are under investigation.
The two new cases in Zone 2 (Saint John region) are as follows:
• a person 40-49; and
• a person 80-89.
Both cases are under investigation.
The two new cases in Zone 3 (Fredericton region) are as follows:
• a person 19 and under; and
• a person 20-29.
Both cases are under investigation.
The nine new cases in Zone 4 (Edmundston region) are as follows:
• a person 19 and under;
• a person 20-29;
• a person 40-49;
• two people 50-59; and
• four people 60-69.
All cases are under investigation.
The 12 new cases in Zone 5 (Campbellton region) are as follows:
• a person 19 and under;
• two people 20-29;
• two people 30-39;
• two people 40-49;
• three people 50-59;
• a person 60-69; and
• a person 90 and over.
All cases are under investigation.
The one case in Zone 6 (Bathurst region) is a person 20-29. This case is under investigation.
The two new cases in Zone 7 (Miramichi region) are as follows:
• a person 19 and under; and
• a person 20-29.
One case is under investigation and the other is a contact of a previously confirmed case.
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.
19-10-21