News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – In response to the arrival of the Omicron variant in New Brunswick and elsewhere across Canada, the provincial government is reminding residents of temporary measures announced yesterday to help slow the spread of transmission.

“With confirmed cases of Omicron in New Brunswick, and given what we have seen in other provinces, we know this variant spreads quickly,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. “This is why it is so important that we take the steps now to help slow the spread while we get children vaccinated and boosters administered for those eligible.”

Walk-in clinics have been added in areas with high demand for those eligible for a booster dose. A full list of walk-in clinics is available online.

A detailed list of those eligible for a booster dose is also available online.

Those who are eligible for pediatric vaccinations or booster doses can schedule an appointment through a regional health authority community COVID-19 vaccination clinic through the online booking system or at a participating pharmacy. In addition, those over the age of 12 who have not yet received a first or second dose remain eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.

Public Health reported today that 82.4 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, 88.7 per cent have received their first dose, and 9.6 per cent have received a booster dose.

104 recoveries / 109 new cases

Public Health reported today that 104 people have recovered from COVID-19 and there are 109 new cases of the virus, with the active number of cases at 1,051.

There are 14 people in intensive care and another 30 are in hospital for a total of 44 people hospitalized. Of those in hospital, 24 are over the age of 60 and six people are on a ventilator. There is one person under 19 hospitalized. The seven-day rolling average of hospitalizations is available on the COVID-19 dashboard.

Six of the 44 people hospitalized were initially admitted for other reasons and contracted COVID-19 due to outbreaks at hospitals in Moncton, Saint John and Miramichi. Most of these people are exhibiting mild to moderate symptoms.

Public Health has confirmed a person 70-79 in Zone 1 (Moncton region) and a person 60-69 in Zone 3 (Fredericton region) have died as a result of COVID-19.

The Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre’s microbiology laboratory in Moncton will continue to test identified samples to determine their COVID-19 variant.

The rate of people hospitalized and in ICU, as well as new cases, continues to most greatly impact people who are unvaccinated. Information about the rates of cases and hospitalizations based on vaccination status is available on the COVID-19 dashboard.

Of the new cases today, 20 are in Zone 1 (Moncton region), 15 are in Zone 2 (Saint John region), 46 are in Zone 3 (Fredericton region), five are in Zone 4 (Edmundston region), six are in Zone 5 (Campbellton region), six are in Zone 6 (Bathurst region) and 11 are in Zone 7 (Miramichi region).

The COVID-19 dashboard has been enhanced and now contains information previously included in the daily updates. Age and origin of new cases, as well as additional information, is available on the COVID-19 dashboard.

Rapid-test kit program

Rapid-test kits continue to be available across the province.

More information on the rapid-test kits program and pickup locations is available online.

Rapid tests are helpful in slowing the spread of COVID-19 but only reflect a person’s status at the time of testing.

Update on schools and child-care facilities

Information on affected schools is available on the Healthy and Safe Schools website and on the COVID-19 dashboard.

Active cases continue to primarily affect elementary schools. Students and staff are reminded to continue following the Healthy and Safe Schools guidelines and all Public Health safety measures, which include vaccination, washing hands or using sanitizer, wearing a mask, physical distancing, and staying home and getting tested if symptoms appear.

To help limit the spread of the virus in schools, students in kindergarten through Grade 6 will begin their holiday break on Friday, Dec. 17, at the end of the regular school day.

Families are encouraged to pick up rapid tests, which are available at several locations around the province. If their child has been identified as a close contact, the tests will be provided through their school; otherwise they are available from the nearest pickup location. Anyone who receives a positive rapid-test result, or who is experiencing one symptom of COVID-19, must isolate immediately and book a test at an assessment centre.

Learn more:

All of New Brunswick is currently in the Level 1 phase of the winter plan to manage COVID-19. More information on the plan, including the increased measures, is available online.

Any household in New Brunswick with a positive case of COVID-19 must isolate for 14 days, regardless of vaccination status. Individuals advised by Public Health or a physician, including confirmed cases of COVID-19, must isolate. More information about isolation is available online.

Potential public exposure locations and dates are listed online. A map of potential public exposures can also be found on the COVID-19 dashboard.

Information and resources to help New Brunswickers live with COVID-19 is available on the COVID-19 guidance and resources webpage.

Information about testing, including booking PCR tests and using rapid tests, is available at www.gnb.ca/GetTestedCOVID19.

Travellers, including New Brunswickers returning to the province, must register their travel with the travel registration program.

Holiday guidelines for individuals, retailers and event organizers on how to plan for a happy and safe holiday season are available online.