News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Public Health reported 39 new cases of COVID-19 and 32 recoveries today. The number of active cases is 464

Of the new cases, 22 – or 56 per cent – are unvaccinated, one – or three per cent – is partially vaccinated and 16 – or 41 per cent – are fully vaccinated.

There are 12 people in an intensive care unit; nine are unvaccinated and three are fully vaccinated.

There are 18 people in hospital, including the 12 in intensive care. Of the 18 in hospital, 12 are unvaccinated and six are fully vaccinated. There is currently no one 19 or under in the hospital.

Public Health has confirmed that one person 70-79 in Zone 5 (Campbellton region) has died because of COVID-19.

Circuit breaker update

The circuit breaker will continue for another seven days in a large section of Zone 1 (Moncton region) and a large part of Zone 2 (Saint John region) as the overall case activity remains high and positivity rates are above the provincial average.

“I know this is not the news residents in these areas hoped to hear, but it is important to ensure we are on the right path and the situation stabilizes before easing restrictions,” said Health Minister Dorothy Shepard. “No matter where you live in the province, I ask that you continue to do everything within your power to keep yourself, your loved ones and your communities safe – including getting vaccinated and following the measures currently in place.”

Additionally, due to the reduced cases and hospitalizations, effective at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 5, circuit breaker restrictions in the northern part of Zone 3 (Fredericton region), Zone 4 (Edmundston region) and Zone 5 (Campbellton region) will be lifted.

“By almost every measure we are seeing an improvement, giving us the confidence to reduce restrictions in some areas of the province,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. “We are making progress because of the choices New Brunswickers are making to follow Public Health guidance.”

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

Vaccination update

Public Health reported today that 85.4 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 92.8 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.

People 65 and older and school personnel are now permitted to book an appointment to receive an mRNA COVID-19 booster dose if six months have passed since their second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Individuals who have received one or two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine are permitted to book an appointment to receive an mRNA COVID-19 booster dose if 28 days have passed since their second dose.

Appointments for first and second doses, as well as a booster dose for those eligible, can be scheduled at a regional health authority 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 clinics is available online.

Remembrance Day guidance

Indoor and outdoor Remembrance Day ceremonies will be permitted across the province, including circuit breaker areas, but must respect current Public Health measures.

A complete list of Public Health guidelines is available online.

Canada-US border opening on Nov. 8

Effective Nov. 8, everyone entering New Brunswick from Maine (or any another state or country) is subject to requirements under federal and provincial guidelines.

Travellers must comply with federal requirements on vaccination and testing. Details on travel, testing and borders are available online.

Everyone entering New Brunswick must also register their travel at www.gnb.ca/travelregistration. This includes New Brunswickers re-entering the province, even after a brief trip.

Vaccination and COVID-19 assessment centres experiencing delays due to strike

While Public Health has implemented contingency plans, the CUPE strike is impacting some areas of the COVID-19 response.

Some regional health authority vaccination clinics and COVID-19 screening at assessment centres have had to be cancelled or rescheduled. At this time, regional health authority vaccination clinics are only accepting people with scheduled appointments and are not able to accommodate walk-in appointments. People are asked to be patient with staff and expect delays.

Other COVID-19 services that have been affected include the cancellation of Horizon Health Network’s mobile rapid-screening kit pickup locations and some rapid-screening kit pickup sites within the Vitalité Health Network. A complete list of available sites for Vitalité Health Network is available online.

Four priority groups are now being considered for a PCR test:

• those working and living in vulnerable settings, such as a hospital, long-term care facility, correctional centre, First Nations community or shelter;
• those prioritized by a medical officer of health;
• anyone who is symptomatic, with priority given to those who are unvaccinated; and
• testing required for travel, although with no guarantee of a 72-hour turnaround for test results.

Regional breakdown of new cases

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

• four people 19 and under;
• a person 30-39;
• two people 40-49;
• a person 70-79; and
• a person 80-89.

Six cases are under investigation, two cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases and one is travel related.

The 11 new cases in Zone 2 (Saint John region) are as follows:

• seven people 19 and under;
• two people 20-29; and
• two people 50-59.

Five cases are under investigation, five others are contacts of previously confirmed cases and one is travel related.

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

• three people 19 and under;
• a person 20-29;
• two people 30-39; and
• a person 60-69.

Five cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases and two others are under investigation.

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

• a person 19 and under; and
• a person 50-59.

Both cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases

The one new case in Zone 5 (Campbellton region) is a person 60-69. This case is under investigation.

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

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

Five cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases and four 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 available on the Healthy and Safe Schools website and the COVID-19 dashboard.

A case has been confirmed at Reaching for Rainbows Daycare and a new case has also been confirmed at Centre de Jour l’Éveil, both in Zone 1 (Moncton 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, 64 early learning and child-care facilities have had confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Potential public exposures

Anyone with two or more symptoms of the virus is urged to request a test online to get an appointment.

If you have been at the site of a possible public exposure, but remain asymptomatic, you may be able to pick up a rapid-screening kit (while supplies last).

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