N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Public Health confirms new case at long-term care facility

A health-care worker at a long-term care facility in the Campbellton region has been diagnosed with COVID-19 after coming into contact with the virus.

Public Health said the individual is in their 20s and is an employee at the Manoir de la Vallée in Atholville. 

The individual is self-isolating in the Fredericton region, also known as Zone 3, where they live. The individual is also being monitored by Public Health.

27 active cases in Campbellton region

There are currently 27 active cases of COVD-19 in the Campbellton region, according to Public Health. And two other cases outside Zone 5.

Out of the 164 confirmed cases, 133  individuals have recovered. Twelve people have recovered since the first case in the Campbellton cluster was reported May 21.

There have been two deaths at the Manoir de la Vallée in Atholville this month. Four patients are hospitalized with one in an intensive care unit.

The cluster began after a doctor travelled to Quebec for personal reasons and did not self-isolate after returning home to the area.

As of Wednesday, 38,714 tests have been conducted.

"It is important to understand that COVID-19, just like many other chronic illnesses and diseases, has not impacted all people in the same way," Dr. Jennifer Russell, New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health, said in a news release.

"Due to societal factors, some populations are significantly more susceptible and affected by this disease and by the public health measures put in place to try to prevent the spread of the virus. When it comes to COVID-19, we are all only as safe as those members of our community who are most at risk; we are all in this together."

Closure of Campbellton ER 'a difficult decision'

Ten health-care workers at the Campbellton Regional Hospital  have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

The Campbellton Regional Hospital's emergency room has been closed until further notice because of the spread of illness in the region, the Vitalité Health Network says.

Visits to the hospital are also prohibited, and all non-emergency services are cancelled until further notice as well.

At a news briefing Wednesday, Gilles Lanteigne, president and CEO of Vitalité Health Network, said it was a difficult decision to close the emergency room, but necessary to protect the people living in Restigouche County.

"We are in a cluster situation and we needed to do something," Lanteigne said in French. 

In the event of an emergency, residents in the area are asked to call 911 or contact their family doctor.

Virus spread to employees not working on COVID unit 

Lanteigne said the virus spread to health-care employees who did not work on the COVID-19 unit.

He believes a number of factors contributed to this, including health-care workers taking breaks together throughout their shifts.

"Not being much on their guards as they should be," he said.

He said the hospital has health-care measures in place to protect the safety of employees against the virus.   

"Obviously it's an area of risk and an area of concern."

There was also a possibility the virus could've been in the area before workers were even aware it was there.

"Health-care workers are under great stress," he said. "They're tired. At time they just go back to their normal habits and put down their guard. It happens and we have seen that in the Campbellton area."

Call out for retired employees to help at hospital

In a status report, Vitalité Health Network, the governing body that oversees the Campbellton hospital, said 711 hospital employees have been screened for the respiratory illness since Saturday.

Forty-one employees at the Campbellton hospital are currently self-isolating at home and 31 others are self-isolating as a precaution while they await their test results.

Although it's not mandatory, Vitalité has asked retired employees across the province to return to work at this time to help with the number of people off work. 

What to do if you have symptoms

People concerned they might have COVID-19 can take a self-assessment on the government website at gnb.ca. 

Public Health says symptoms shown by people with COVID-19 have included: a fever above 38 C, a new cough or worsening chronic cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, new onset of fatigue, new onset of muscle pain, diarrhea, loss of sense of taste or smell, and difficulty breathing. In children, symptoms have also included purple markings on the fingers and toes.

People with two of those symptoms are asked to:

• Stay at home.

• Call Tele-Care 811 or their doctor.

• Describe symptoms and travel history.

• Follow instructions.