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 90.

Three people in Zone 5 have died. Two people were aged 40-49 and one person was aged 80-89.

“My thoughts are with the loved ones of the people who have passed away today,” said Premier Blaine Higgs. “We all have a role to play in slowing the spread of the virus. I want to thank the businesses that have taken steps to motivate employees to get vaccinated and I encourage other businesses to do the same. COVID-19 can pose a serious risk in the workplace and may impact a business’s operations, especially if an unvaccinated employee contracts the disease.”

“I wish to express my condolences to the loved ones of the people who lost their life as a result of COVID-19,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. “I remind all New Brunswickers to continue to wear a mask in indoor public spaces, wash your hands frequently and get fully vaccinated if you have not yet done so. In addition, circuit breaker measures are still in effect in three areas, with stronger restrictions regarding travel and gatherings.”

There are 57 people hospitalized due to the virus, with 18 in an intensive care unit. Of the 18 in an intensive care unit, none are fully vaccinated (16 are unvaccinated and two are partially vaccinated). Of the total of all hospitalized, 29 are unvaccinated, six are partially vaccinated and 22 are fully vaccinated.

Public Health reported 58 new cases of COVID-19 today and 117 recoveries, dropping the number of active cases to 935. Of the new cases, 33 – or 57 per cent – are unvaccinated, five – or nine per cent – are partially vaccinated, and 20 – or 34 per cent – are fully vaccinated.

Rapid-testing program expands

Beginning Monday, Oct. 18, people who are not a positive COVID-19 case will be able to pick up free rapid-test kits which they can administer at home.

Public Health has doubled the number of rapid test kits for each pick-up location tomorrow and throughout this week to help meet the initial high demand.  All the pick-up centres will be open during their scheduled hours or until the daily supply has been given out. The availability of POCTs will be ongoing and deliveries of more tests will continue to support the centres.

Please note the pick-up centre for the Saint John region has been relocated to the Diamond Jubilee Cruise Terminal at 333 Water St.

“We’re grateful for the high interest in these tests as people clearly want to do what they can to help fight the COVID-19 virus,” said Russell.  “Thank you for your patience with staff at the centres as they work as quickly as possible to distribute the tests.”

“It is so important that anyone who has a positive result on a rapid test register for a Gold Standard PCR COVID-19 lab test.  This can be done online through the GNB Coronavirus website or calling Telecare 811.” said Russell. “Everyone must remember the rapid screening tests are more reliable when completed regularly, for example using a test every other day from a kit of 5 tests.”

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. They must remain in isolation as instructed.

The kits will be available to the public at large at the following locations provincewide:

·         Moncton: Greater Moncton Health Centre, 150 Edmonton Ave., (3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday)

·         Cocagne: Cocagne Health Clinic, 4813 Rte. 134, (8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and 8 a.m. to noon Friday)

·         Moncton: 380 MacNaughton Ave. (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday)

·         Edmundston: Edmundston Regional Hospital, 275 Hébert Blvd., (2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday)

·         Clair: Haut-Madawaska Medical Clinic, 809 Principale St., (1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)

·         Grand Falls: Grand Falls General Hospital, 625 Everard H. Daigle Blvd., (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday)

·         Saint-Quentin: Hôtel-Dieu Saint-Joseph de Saint-Quentin, 21 Canada St., (2 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily)

·         Campbellton: E.L. Murray Medical Clinic, 3 Stanley St., (2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday)

·         Dalhousie: St. Joseph Community Health Centre, 280 Victoria St., (noon to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday)

·         Shediac: Shediac Regional Medical Centre, 419 Main St., (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday)

·         Belledune: Jacquet River Health Centre, 41 Mack St., (1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday)

·         Bathurst: Chaleur Regional Hospital, 1750 Sunset Blvd., (12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday)

·         Caraquet: Enfant-Jésus RHSJ Hospital, 1 Saint-Pierre Blvd. W., (1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday)

·         Tracadie: Tracadie Hospital, 400 Des Hospitalières St., (1 p.m. to 3 p.m. daily)

·         Lamèque: Lamèque Hospital and Community Health Centre, 29 De l’Hôpital St., (noon to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday)

·         Paquetville: Paquetville Health Centre, 1096 Du Parc St., (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday)

·         Saint-Isidore: Saint-Isidore Community Health Centre, 3973-1 Des Fondateurs Blvd., (12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday)

·         Saint John: Diamond Jubilee Cruise Terminal, (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday)

·         Fredericton: Exhibition Grounds, 361 Smythe St., (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday)

·         Miramichi: 365 Wellington St. (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday)

More information on the rapid test kits program is available here.

The rapid test screening program is aimed at people two and older who are not a confirmed positive COVID-19 case. A kit has five tests to be used over a 10-day period. People 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult to acquire a testing kit.

Vaccination update

Public Health reported today that 82.4 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 91.5 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.

Circuit breaker in areas with high transmission now in effect

Due to the high number of COVID-19 transmissions, a 14-day circuit breaker went into effect at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8, for certain areas of the province.

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; and all of Zone 4 (Edmundston region), including Menneval in Zone 5.

More information about the circuit breaker rules, including a detailed list and map of affected communities, is available online.

Regional breakdown of new cases

The 15 new cases in Zone 1 (Moncton region) are as follows:

• four people 19 and under;
• four people 20-29;
• two people 30-39;
• two people 40-49;
• one person 60-69;
• one person 70-79; and
• one person 80-89.

Thirteen cases are under investigation and two cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

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

• a person 20-29; and
• two people 50-59.

All three cases are under investigation.

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

• one person 19 and under;
• a person 20-29;
• two people 30-39;
• a person 40-49;
• a person 50-59; and
• four people 60-69.

All ten cases are under investigation.

The 13 new cases in Zone 4 (Edmundston region) are as follows:

• five people 19 and under;
• three people 20-29
• a person 30-39;
• a person 40-49;
• a person 60-69; and
• two people 70-79.

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

The 14 new cases in Zone 5 (Campbellton region) are as follows:

• four people 19 and under;
• three people 30-39;
• three people 40-49;
• two people 50-59;
• a person 70-79; and
• a person 80-89.

Twelve cases are under investigation and two cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

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

• a person 50-59; and
• a person 60-69.

Both cases are under investigation.

The one new case in Zone 7 (Miramichi region) is a person 80-89 and the 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.