News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Public Health reported 44 new cases of COVID-19 and 13 recoveries today. The number of active cases is 504.

Of the new cases, 24 – or 54.5 per cent – are unvaccinated, two – or 4.5 per cent – are partially vaccinated and 18 – or 41 per cent – are fully vaccinated.

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

There are 17 people in hospital, including the nine in intensive care. Of the 17 in hospital, 14 are unvaccinated and three are fully vaccinated. There is currently no one 19 or under in the hospital.

Canada-United States border opens today

Effective today, 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.

Circuit breaker reminder

The following areas are currently under a circuit breaker: Zone 1 (Moncton region) as far north as and including Sainte-Anne-de-Kent and a large section of Zone 2 (Saint John region) which includes 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.

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 86 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 92.9 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 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 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 12 new cases in Zone 1 (Moncton region) are as follows:

• four people 19 and under;
• two people 20-29;
• two people 30-39;
• two people 40-49;
• a person 60-69; and
• a person 70-79.

Ten cases are under investigation. One case is a contact of a previously confirmed case and one case is travel-related.

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

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

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

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

• two people 19 and under;
• three people 30-39; and
• a person 40-49.

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

The two new cases in Zone 4 (Edmundston region) are people 19 and under. Both cases are under investigation.

The 15 new cases in Zone 7 (Miramichi region) are as follows:

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

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

“We continue to see an increased number of cases in Zone 7, the Miramichi region,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. “These cases appear to be connected to two clusters of infections and Public Health is working hard to contain these outbreaks. It is important that people living in this area remain vigilant and continue to carefully follow the measures that are in place.”

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.

Since Friday, Nov. 5, a case has been confirmed at the each of the following child-care facilities: Garderie La Cartine Daycare Inc. in Zone 1 (Moncton region) and Seawood Early Childcare Centre 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, 68 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.