News Release

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

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

• one individual 50 to 59; and

• one individual 70 to 79.

Both of these cases are self-isolating and under investigation.

The other case is an individual 30 to 39 in Zone 6 (Bathurst region) and is travel-related and is self-isolating.

“As active cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in our province and across the country, it is understandable that stress and anxiety are also increasing,” said Health Minister Dorothy Shephard. “It is important to know that you are not alone in feeling the way you do. I urge New Brunswickers to pay attention to how they are feeling, take the necessary steps to manage the stressors in your life, and to reach out and ask for help if you need it.”

The number of confirmed cases in New Brunswick is 453 and 352 have recovered. There have been seven deaths, and the number of active cases is 94 with one hospitalized case. As of today, 118,648 tests have been conducted.

“Today there are hundreds of New Brunswickers in self-isolation, doing their part to slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. “I am sure that very few of these people expected that this would happen to them, and even fewer made a plan for this eventuality. But everyone needs to be ready. Every New Brunswicker, in every region of our province, should have a plan for self-isolation in case they are directed to self-isolate.”

One household bubble

In orange or red zones where a one-household bubble is required, the bubble can be extended to a caregiver or an immediate family member who requires mental, social and/or emotional support.

For anyone living alone who needs mental health or other care support, a caregiver can be a formal or informal caregiver, such as a close friend or neighbour. This single household along with the caregiver or immediate family member needing support is permitted to go to restaurants and other venues such as church together.

Exposure notifications

Public Health follows a standard process when addressing instances where the public may have been exposed to a case of COVID-19. In cases where record-keeping is able to identify anyone who may have been exposed, officials contact these individuals directly and do not issue a separate announcement. In cases where officials cannot be certain of exactly who may have been exposed to the virus in a given location, Public Health issues an announcement to alert those who could have been affected and provide instructions.

Public Health has identified potential public exposure to the virus at the following location in Zone 3:

• The Snooty Fox on Nov. 18 and 19 between 8:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. (66 Regent St., Fredericton)

On Nov. 25, Public Health identified a positive case in a traveller who may have been infectious on Nov. 19 while on the following flights:

• Air Canada Flight 178 – from Edmonton to Toronto arrived at 5:58 a.m.

• Air Canada Flight 404– from Toronto to Montreal arrived at 10:16 a.m.

• Air Canada Flight 8902 – from Montreal to Moncton arrived at 4:17 p.m.

Individuals who travelled on these flights should self-monitor for symptoms. Should any COVID-19 symptoms develop, they are directed to self-isolate and take the self-assessment online or call 811 to arrange getting tested.

Nova Scotia Public Health has confirmed community transmission in the Halifax area and have added more sites of potential exposure. New Brunswickers who have been in that area in the past few weeks are encouraged check the list of possible exposure sites, which is available online.