News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Public Health reported today that 107 people have recovered from COVID-19 and there are 118 new cases of the virus.

Of the new cases today, 14 are in Zone 1 (Moncton region), 24 are in Zone 2 (Saint John region), 53 are in Zone 3 (Fredericton region), 17 are in Zone 4 (Edmundston region), four are in Zone 6 (Bathurst region) and six are in Zone 7 (Miramichi region).

There are 17 people in intensive care and another 25 are in hospital for a total of 42 people hospitalized. Of those in hospital, 26 are over the age of 60 and ten people are on a ventilator. There is no one under 19 hospitalized.

The seven-day rolling average of hospitalizations is available on the COVID-19 dashboard.

Six of the 42 people hospitalized were initially admitted for other reasons and contracted COVID-19 due to outbreaks at hospitals in Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton and Miramichi. Most of these people are exhibiting mild to moderate symptoms.

Since the Omicron variant was declared a variant of concern on Nov. 26, 568 samples, including all travel-related cases, have been sequenced; 31 cases have been confirmed to be the Omicron variant.

“Though the number of confirmed Omicron cases have so far been relatively low in our province, given what we are seeing in neighbouring provinces, it is important we remain vigilant and do whatever we can to slow the spread of this variant,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. “Understanding that Omicron is highly transmissible, Public Health focused on case investigations so that possible cases could be isolated quickly. I encourage everyone to do their part by following all Public Health measures and booking an appointment for a booster dose as soon as you are eligible.”

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.

Age and origin of new cases, as well as additional information, is available on the COVID-19 dashboard.

Vaccination update

Public Health reported today that 82.6 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, 89.5 per cent have received their first dose, and 14 per cent have received a booster dose.

Additional booster clinics are available through regional health authority community COVID-19 vaccination clinics and at participating pharmacies.

Those who are eligible for pediatric vaccinations or booster doses, and those who have yet to have their first or second dose, can schedule an appointment at a regional health authority clinic through the online booking system or at a participating pharmacy.

A full list of walk-in clinics is available online. A list of those eligible for a booster dose is also available online.

Update on schools and child-care facilities

More than one million rapid tests have been given to students across New Brunswick, allowing them to attend classes in person as much as possible during the first half of the school year.

The last day of classes for students in grades 7 and 8 will be on Tuesday, Dec. 21. For students in grades 9-12, there will be a noon dismissal on Thursday, Dec. 23. All students are being provided rapid tests to use throughout the holidays and before they return to class in January.

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

Learn more:

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

Any household 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.

Rapid-test kits continue to be available across the province. More information on the rapid-test kits program and pickup locations 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.