News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Public Health has confirmed that three people have died as a result of COVID-19. This brings the total number of COVID-19-related deaths in the province to 111.

A person 40-49 in Zone 1 (Moncton region), and two people 80-89, one in Zone 4 (Edmundston region) and one in Zone 5 (Campbellton region) have died.

“My thoughts are with the families of the people who have passed away,” said Premier Blaine Higgs. “We are once again seeing more recoveries than new cases today, and the number of active cases is continuing to decline. This is a positive trend and I am hopeful we will continue in that direction this week.”

“I share my deepest sympathies with the loved ones of those who have lost their lives to the virus,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. “We all have a role to play in moving beyond this fourth wave of the pandemic. Everyone needs to wear a mask in indoor public spaces, maintain a safe physical distance from others, wash their hands and, of course, get fully vaccinated if they have not already done so.”

Public Health reported 22 new cases of COVID-19 today and 57 recoveries. There are 589 active cases.

Of the new cases, 10 – or 45.5 per cent – are unvaccinated, one – or 4.5 per cent – are partially vaccinated, and 11 – or 50 per cent – are fully vaccinated.

Majority of cases in ICU remain unvaccinated

Of the 39 people hospitalized due to the virus, 20 are unvaccinated, three are partially vaccinated and 16 are fully vaccinated. There is currently no one 19 and under in the hospital. There are 14 people in an intensive care unit, 11 of whom are unvaccinated, two of whom are partially vaccinated and one is fully vaccinated.

Mobile sites added to rapid screening kit pickup program

Beginning today, mobile rapid screening kit pickup sites will open to provide New Brunswickers with easier access to rapid screening tests.

Twenty mobile sites have been added across the province by Horizon Health Network. Each mobile site will be open one day a week from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

A full list of Vitalité Health Network’s sites is available online.

The tests are designed for people two and older. Most kits have five tests to be used over a 10-day period. People 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult to acquire a kit.

All locations will be open during their scheduled hours or until the daily supply has been given out. New supplies of test kits will continue to be delivered to the pickup locations throughout the week.

Anyone who has been directed by Public Health to isolate is not permitted to leave isolation if they receive a negative result from a rapid-test kit.

Anyone who receives a positive result from a rapid-test kit taken at home must immediately schedule an appointment for a lab-based PCR test at a Public Health assessment centre.

Circuit breaker reminder

The circuit breaker that has been in effect in certain areas of the province since Friday, Oct. 8, has been extended for at least seven more days, until Public Health determines the situation is more stable.

These areas are Zone 1 (Moncton region) as far north as and including Sainte-Anne-de-Kent and including Havelock in Zone 2; the northern portion of Zone 3 from and including Deerville and Florenceville-Bristol, but excluding Hayesville and Parker Ridge; and all of Zone 4 (Edmundston region).

As well, Zone 5 (Campbellton region) entered a 14-day circuit breaker on Friday, Oct. 22, at 6 p.m. to address the high number of COVID-19 transmissions in the region.

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 83.9 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 92.2 per cent have received their first dose of a vaccine.

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.

Health-care personnel – including those working in long term care facilities – and residents of First Nations communities can now book an appointment to receive an mRNA COVID-19 booster dose if six months have passed since their second dose of a vaccine.

Appointments can be scheduled for a regional health authority community COVID-19 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. Health-care workers and residents of First Nations communities must bring their proof of vaccination, i.e. immunization record, to their appointment.

Confirmed cases in schools and child-care facilities

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

A case has been confirmed at Little Blessings Daycare and Preschool in Zone 2 (Saint John region). New positive cases have also been confirmed at Garderie Power Play Daycare in Zone 1 (Moncton region) and Halte scolaire la Ribambelle en Folie Ltée in Zone 4 (Edmundston 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, 58 early learning and child-care facilities have had confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Regional breakdown of new cases

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

• a person 19 and under;
• a person 30-39;
• a person 50-59; and
• a person 60-69.

All four cases are under investigation.

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

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

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

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

• a person 19 and under;
• a person 20-29;
• a person 30-39;
• a person 60-69; and
• a person 70-79.

All five cases are under investigation.

The eight new cases in Zone 4 (Edmundston region) are as follows:

• a person 19 and under;
• a person 30-39;
• two people 50-59; and
• four people 60-69.

Seven of the eight cases are under investigation. The other is a contact of a previously confirmed case.

The one new case in Zone 6 (Bathurst region) is a person 30-39. This case is under investigation.

Additional information is available on the COVID-19 dashboard.

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 to get an appointment.

A map of potential public exposures can also be found on the COVID-19 dashboard.