News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Public Health reported 48 new cases of COVID-19 and 41 recoveries today. The number of active cases is 556.

Of the new cases, 27 – or 56 per cent – are unvaccinated, 12 – or 25 per cent – are partially vaccinated, and nine – or 19 per cent – are fully vaccinated.

There are 17 people in an intensive care unit; 13 are unvaccinated, two are partially vaccinated, and two are fully vaccinated.

There are 28 people in hospital, including the 17 in intensive care. Of the 28 in hospital, 17 are unvaccinated, three are partially vaccinated and eight are fully vaccinated. There is currently no one 19 or under in the hospital.

“We are seeing stability in cases, which is positive, and we know that if we remove measures too quickly we could see a spike in hospitalizations, which is why circuit breaker measures have been extended and expanded in the province to help further reduce the number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19,” said Premier Blaine Higgs. “These measures are necessary for us to be able to keep New Brunswickers safe.”

The circuit breaker will continue for another seven days in part of Zone 1 (Moncton region); the northern portion of Zone 3 (Fredericton region); all of Zone 4 (Edmundston region); and all of Zone 5 (Campbellton region).

In addition, a large section of Zone 2 (Saint John region) will enter a 14-day circuit breaker at 6 p.m. today. The impacted areas include New River Beach and Lepreau, north to the communities of Clarendon and Welsford, east to the community of Head of Millstream, and all communities in Saint John and Kings counties.

“While we are making progress, it is important that everyone continue to follow the measures in place where they live,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. “Every action you take, big and small, has an impact. I encourage you to make good choices so that your impact is a positive one.”

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

Rapid-screening kit pickup program

Mobile pickup sites are now open to provide New Brunswickers with easier access to rapid-screening kits.

Twenty mobile sites have been added across the province by Horizon Health Network. Each mobile site will be open one day a week from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

A full list of Vitalité Health Network’s 16 sites is available online.

On Thursday, 6,935 kits were distributed.

All 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.

More information about the kits is available online.

Vaccination update

Public Health reported today that 84.7 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 92.5 per cent have received their first dose of a vaccine.

Health-care personnel – including those working in long-term care facilities – and residents of First Nations communities can now book an appointment to receive an mRNA COVID-19 booster dose if six months have passed since their second dose of a vaccine. They must bring their proof of vaccination, i.e. immunization record, to their appointment.

Appointments for first and second doses, as well as a booster dose for those eligible, can be scheduled for a regional health authority community COVID-19 vaccination clinic through the online booking system or at a participating pharmacy. Residents of First Nations communities can also book an appointment at a community clinic.

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

Regional breakdown of new cases

The 17 new cases in Zone 1 (Moncton region) are as follows:

• eight people 19 and under;
• two people 20-29;
• four people 30-39;
• a person 40-49; and
• two people 50-59.

All 17 cases are under investigation.

The 21 new cases in Zone 2 (Saint John region) are as follows:

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

All 21 cases are under investigation.

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

• a person 20-29;
• a person 30-39; and
• a person 60-69.

All three cases are under investigation.

The one new case in Zone 4 (Edmundston region) is a person 20-29. This case is under investigation.

The one new case in Zone 5 (Campbellton region) is a person 30-39. This case is under investigation.

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

• two people 20-29;
• two people 30-39; and
• a person 40-49.

All five cases are under investigation.

Additional information is available on the COVID-19 dashboard.

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.

A case has been confirmed at St. Joseph's Community Preschool and Afterschool Program in Zone 2 (Saint John 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.

Since Sept. 7, 60 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 to get an appointment.

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