News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Public Health reported 51 new cases of COVID-19 and 37 recoveries today. The number of active cases is 477.

Of the new cases, 32 – or 63 per cent – are unvaccinated, one – or two per cent – is partially vaccinated and 18 – or 35 per cent – are fully vaccinated.

There are nine people in an intensive care unit; eight are unvaccinated and one is fully vaccinated.

There are 14 people in hospital, including nine in intensive care. Of the 14 in hospital, 11 are unvaccinated and three 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 4 (Edmundston region) has died because of COVID-19.

Circuit breaker update

The circuit breaker will continue for another seven days in Zone 1 (Moncton region) as far north as and including Sainte-Anne-de-Kent and a large section of Zone 2 (Saint John region). 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.

“We are making progress and that is thanks to all those who are following the measures in place,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. “Please continue to do all you can to keep yourself and your loved ones safe, no matter where you live in the province.”

Effective at 6 p.m. tonight the circuit breaker restrictions in the northern part of Zone 3 (Fredericton region), Zone 4 (Edmundston region) and Zone 5 (Campbellton region) will be lifted.

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 85.6 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.

Fully vaccinated people who have received one or two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine in their series 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.

Regional breakdown of new cases

The 22 new cases in Zone 1 (Moncton region) are as follows:

·         10 people 19 and under;

·         two people 20-29;

·         four people 30-39;

·         a person 40-49;

·         two people 50-59;

·         a person 60-69; and

·         two people 70-79.

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

The 10 new cases in Zone 2 (Saint John region) are as follows:

·         five people 19 and under;

·         two people 20-29;

·         two people 40-49; and

·         a person 60-69.

Nine cases are under investigation and one is a contact of a previously confirmed case.

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

·         a person 19 and under; and

·         a person 60-69.

Both cases are under investigation

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

·         a person 60-69; and

·         a person 70-79.

Both cases are under investigation

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

·         a person 30-39;

·         a person 60-69; and

·         a person 70-79.

All three cases are under investigation

The 12 new cases in Zone 7 (Miramichi region) are as follows:

·         seven people 19 and under;

·         three people 20-29; and

·         two people 30-39.

Eleven cases are under investigation and one case is a contact of a previously confirmed case.

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 the each of the following child-care facilities: Chatham Day Care Center and Stacey’s Play and Learn Preschool, both in Zone 7 (Miramichi region). A new case has been confirmed at each of the following child-care facilities which had been previously impacted: Reaching for Rainbows Daycare and 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, 66 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.