FREDERICTON (GNB) – Public Health reported six new cases of COVID-19 today.

The cases are as follows:

  • an individual 19 and under in Zone 1 (Moncton region);
  • an individual 60 to 69 in Zone 1 (Moncton region);
  • an individual 40 to 49 in Zone 2 (Saint John region);
  • two people 19 and under in Zone 4 (Edmundston region); and
  • an individual 40 to 49 in Zone 4 (Edmundston region).

All cases are self-isolating and under investigation.

The number of confirmed cases in New Brunswick is 573 and 509 have recovered. There have been eight deaths. The number of active cases is 55. Three patients are hospitalized of which two are in intensive care. As of today, 143,328 tests have been conducted.

“Do not take chances with COVID-19,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. “I suggest the best gift you can give this year is the gift of safety. It remains very important to keep your number of close contacts low, especially during the holiday period.”

Vaccine plan

This weekend 1,950 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be administered in Miramichi to priority groups that have been identified in the provincial government’s vaccine plan.

“This is a significant step forward in our province’s journey through the COVID-19 pandemic, but it will take several months before enough of our population is vaccinated and we are able to move to the Green level,” said Premier Blaine Higgs. “Hope is on the horizon but for now, I am asking New Brunswickers to be patient and continue to follow the advice of Public Health.”

Zone 4 remains Orange

Zone 4 (Edmundston region) remains at the Orange level under the province’s COVID-19 recovery plan. Orange level rules are available online. Residents are reminded that among the rules at the Orange level are to stick to a one household bubble, maintain two metres of distancing and wear a mask while in indoor and outdoor public spaces.

All other zones in New Brunswick remain at the Yellow level. During this time, Public Health measures and guidelines must still be followed.

To find out the boundaries of each health zone, see the map available at:

Case at Southern Victoria High School

On Wednesday, Dec. 16, a positive case of COVID-19 was confirmed at Southern Victoria High School in Perth-Andover and the school community has been notified. Students will learn from home for the remainder of the week. At this time, no student-to-student transmission has been determined in any school. If you or a family member have been in close contact with this case, you will be notified by Public Health through contact tracing. If you do not hear directly from Public Health, you have not been identified as a close contact.

 

17-12-20