News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – There are currently three people hospitalized due to COVID-19, including one in an intensive care unit. As of today, 75.5 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers are fully vaccinated and 84.7 per cent have received their first dose of the vaccine.

“We have been in the Green phase of recovery for a month now and living with COVID-19 has unfolded as we expected,” said Premier Blaine Higgs. “While the number of active cases in New Brunswick has gone up, I am pleased that our vaccination rates are on the rise and we do not have a high number of hospitalizations.”

“COVID-19 is still with us and that is why we need every eligible New Brunswicker to get fully vaccinated as soon as possible,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. “Vaccination is the surest and most effective way to prevent the spread of the virus and protect vulnerable individuals, as well as children who are not yet eligible to receive a vaccine.”

Vaccination clinics

Public Health announced this week that regional health authorities will now offer appointments for the Moderna vaccine, which is approved for children 12 and up. Previously, only the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine had been approved for those between 12 and 18.

If you have not yet had your first or second dose, you are asked to go to a walk-in clinic or book an appointment through a participating pharmacy or at a Vitalité or Horizon health network clinic as soon as possible.

All eligible New Brunswickers can book their second-dose appointments for a date that is at least 28 days after their first dose.

Those attending a vaccination clinic are asked to bring their Medicare card, a signed consent form and, for those receiving their second dose, a copy of the record of immunization provided after receiving their first dose.

A list of upcoming mobile and walk-in clinics is available online.

21 new recoveries

Public Health has reported 21 new recoveries and 11 new cases. The total number of active cases is 127.

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

• three people 20-29; and

• two people 30-39.

Four cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases and one case is under investigation.

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

• one person 19 and under; and

• one person 30-39.

One case is a contact of a previously confirmed case and one case is under investigation.

The one case in Zone 4 (Edmundston region) is a person 19 and under and is a contact of a previously confirmed case.

The three new cases in Zone 6 (Bathurst region) are as follows:

• one person 19 and under;

• one person 30-39; and

• one person 70-79.

One case is travel-related and two cases are under investigation.

Additional information is available on the COVID-19 dashboard.

Reminder of school guidelines

As students return to class in the public school system next week, Higgs reminded parents and students of the Healthy and Safe Schools guidelines. This document outlines the requirements schools and school districts must meet to provide a safe return to school for students and staff. It may be changed throughout the school year in conjunction with Public Health guidance to the department and new information.

“I understand that some families may be nervous, but the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development has a solid plan to ensure the safe return to school for both students and staff,” said Higgs. “This plan is built on lessons learned since this pandemic began, with a goal of keeping our schools healthy, safe and as close to normal as possible.”

More information, including resources for families, is available online.

Potential public exposures

Anyone with symptoms of the virus, as well as anyone who has been at the site of a possible public exposure, is urged to request a test online or call Tele-Care 811 to get an appointment.