N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 12 new cases, 86K more vaccines within 1 week is doable, says province

New Brunswick reported 12 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday and still expects to reach its "path to green" goal of having 75 per cent of the eligible population vaccinated with their first dose of a COVID vaccine by June 7, says a Department of Health spokesperson.

As of Monday, 433,955 New Brunswickers have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. That's 62.6 per cent of the eligible population aged 12 and older.

That means about 86,000 people still have be vaccinated within a week —  more than 12,000 people a day.

The province has been vaccinating an average of 7,000 people a day, although it has had some record-breaking days with more than 11,000 doses administered. Just over 4,000 doses were administered on Sunday.

"With the vaccine available to the province, we expect to be able to provide first doses to the more than 86,000 people in order to reach the goal of 75% of those aged 12 and older," Department of Health spokesperson Shawn Berry said in an emailed statement.

"Everyone has a part to play in reaching that goal," he said, encouraging eligible New Brunswickers who haven't already received a first dose to book an appointment online through the Horizon or Vitalité clinics or by contacting a participating pharmacy.

If the province does not reach its vaccination goals laid out in the three-phased plan unveiled last week, it will delay the loosening of restrictions, Premier Blaine Higgs has said.

Phase 1 includes, among other things, a partial Atlantic bubble, eased travel restrictions for workers, and elimination of the steady 15 of contacts.

Vaccination clinics operated by the Horizon and Vitalité regional health authorities are showing availability on Tuesday, in Woodstock, St. Stephen, Sussex, Oromocto and Moncton, Public Health said in a news release mid-afternoon.

On Wednesday, openings are showing in Edmundston, Moncton, Tracadie and Campbellton, and on Thursday in Saint-Quentin, Sussex, Caraquet, Bathurst, Grand Manan and Moncton.

A "major campaign on vaccinations" focused on "being part of the New Brunswick success story" will be launched this week, the premier had told reporters last Friday.

"Efforts are underway to encourage uptake for first-dose clinics," Berry said Monday.

"Social media has started and information was shared today through school districts about how parents can register a student for vaccination."

Under Phase 2  of the plan, at least 20 per cent of New Brunswickers aged 65 or over must be vaccinated with their second dose by July 1.

By Phase 3, 75 per cent of the eligible population must be vaccinated with both doses by Aug. 2 for all restrictions to be lifted.

146 active cases

New Brunswick has a total of 146 active cases of COVID-19.

Six people are in hospital, including two in intensive care. One New Brunswicker is also in hospital outside the province, also in intensive care.

The breakdown of the 12 new cases announced Monday is as follows:

Moncton region, Zone 1, five cases:

• A person 30 to 39.
• Three people 50 to 59.
• A person 60 to 69.

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

Fredericton region, Zone 3, five cases:

• Two people 19 or under.
• Two people 20 to 29.
• A person 70 to 79.

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

Bathurst region, Zone 6, two cases:

• A person 20 to 29.
• A person 50 to 59.

Both cases are under investigation.

New Brunswick has had 2,212 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, with 2,022 recoveries and 43 COVID-related deaths.

A total of 334,367 tests have been conducted, including 655 on Sunday.

AstraZeneca expiry extended

New Brunswick's supply of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine, which was set to expire on Monday, has been extended until July 1 as part of a Health Canada decision over the weekend, confirmed Department of Health spokesperson Shawn Berry.

He did not provide an update on how many doses the province still has in stock or any changes in the province's approach to the vaccine.

Health Canada said a review of "stability data" led to the extension.

As of last Friday, at least 809 of the province's 3,500 doses of AstraZeneca had been spoken for with appointments booked through Horizon and Vitalité clinics. That did not include people who might have booked through a pharmacy.

People over the age of 55 who received AstraZeneca as their first dose at least eight weeks ago and want to receive a second dose, can can book online. To see if a pharmacy is offering second doses of AstraZeneca, visit the pharmacy's website or social media page.

Airports hope interest in travel takes off

Airports in the region hope interest in travel takes off as provinces turn their attention to reaching the green level of COVID-19 recovery.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, travel has all but stalled, as commercial airlines have reduced their schedules or cancelled flights altogether.

"When we look at no need for quarantines, no need for quarantine hotels, those type of things, and no restrictions for who can travel, that's a huge change," said Bernard LeBlanc, the president and CEO of the Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport.

LeBlanc said the Moncton airport has been operating at 10 per cent of the traffic it would normally see this time of year. 

With the exception of international travel, he believes August could pick up to near normal levels with the planned easing of restrictions.

Atlantic COVID roundup

Nova Scotia reported 17 new cases of COVID-19 Monday. The province has 448 active cases.

Newfoundland and Labrador confirmed two new cases, putting its total active cases at 101.

Prince Edward Island has two new cases, and has 10 active cases.

New public exposures

Public Health has identified a potential public exposure to the coronavirus at the following locations and dates:

Moncton region:

• DJ Marine, 3107 Route 117, Pointe-Sapin, May 25-May 28.

Fredericton region:

• Terry LeClair Auto Body Towing, 4818 Route 105, Nackawic, May 13-May 28.
• Kent Building Supplies, 809 Bishop Dr., Fredericton, on May 23 between noon and 5 p.m
• Lincoln Big Stop, 415 Nevers Rd., Waasis on May 26, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
• Irving, 1769 Lincoln Rd., Fredericton, on May 26, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
• Sobeys, 375 Miramichi Rd., Oromocto, on May 28, between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Canadian Tire, 345 Miramichi Rd., Oromocto, on May 28, between 10 a.m. and noon.

Public Health is offering COVID-19 testing to anyone who has been in a public exposure area, even if they are not experiencing any symptoms. Residents may request a test online or call Tele-Care 811.

People experiencing one or more symptoms are also encouraged to get tested.

Previous public exposures

Public Health previously reported the following potential public exposures:

Fredericton region:

• Sobeys, Miramichi Road, Oromocto, on May 25 between 11 a.m. and 1p.m.
• Shoppers Drug Mart, 1198 Onondaga St, Oromocto, May 23 between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.
• Dollarama, Oromocto Mall, May 23 between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
• Atlantic Superstore, Oromocto Mall, May 23 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• Day & Ross Freight Terminal, 11187 Route 130, Somerville, May 22

Other public exposures

Public Health previously reported the following potential public exposures:

Moncton region:

• Saint Pierre Catholic Church, 2000 Route 535, Cocagne, on Sunday, May 23, 11 a.m. service.
• Day & Ross Freight Terminal, 651 Frenette Ave., Moncton, on May 20 and May 22.
• Wendy's Restaurant, 85 Harrisville Blvd., Moncton, on May 22 between noon and 8 p.m.
• TD Bank, 525 Regis St., Dieppe, on May 22 between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
• Moxie's Grill and Bar, 10 Wyse St., Moncton, on May 21 between 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.
• Tim Hortons, 170 St. George Blvd., Moncton, on May 21 between 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and May 23 between 8 a.m. and noon.
• A&W, 6 Champlain St., Dieppe, on May 21 between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Codiac Transpo City Bus #60, on May 21 between 7:45 a.m. and 11 a.m.
• Codiac Transpo City Bus #51, on May 21 between 7:15 p.m. and 10 p.m.
• Subway, 100 Morton Ave., Moncton, on May 19 between 8:30 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.
• Extreme Windows, 80 Loftus St., Moncton, on May 18, May 19, May 20 and May 21 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Fredericton region:

• Kingswood Entertainment Centre, 1700 Kingswood Way, Hanwellm on May 22 between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.
• Service New Brunswick, 432 Queen St., Fredericton, May 21 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. 
• Day & Ross Freight Terminal, 398 Main St., Hartland, on May 21
• Day & Ross, 414 York St., Fredericton, on May  18,19 and 21
• Costco, 25 Wayne Squibb Blvd., on May 21, between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• The Head Shoppe, 1381 Regent St., Fredericton, on May 21 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Dollarama, 1033 Prospect St., on May 21, between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Giant Tiger, 1160 Smythe St., on May 21 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Day & Ross Freight Terminal, 398 Main St., Hartland, May 17-20
• Downtown Optometry Clinic, 169 Dundonald St., Fredericton, May 20 between 4:30 and 8 p.m.
• Naturally Fit Gym, 125 NB-105, Lower Saint-Mary's, May 20 between 5 p.m. and 11:59 p.m.
• Capt. Submarine/Irving Oil, 305 Route 110, West Florenceville, on Thursday, May 20, between 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Atlantic Superstore, 116 Main St., Fredericton on Wednesday, May 19, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Aldo Shoes, 1381 Regent St., on May 19, between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Le Château, 1381 Regent St., on May 19, between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Lawtons Drugs, 1381 Regent St., on May 19 and May 20, between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• Home Depot, 1450 Regent St., Fredericton, Wednesday, May 19, between 5 and 7 p.m.
• Fadi's Pizza, 312 Main St., Fredericton on Tuesday, May 18, between noon and 2 p.m.
• Fredericton Regional Centre, 300 St. Mary's St., on Tuesday, May 18, and Wednesday, May 19, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Petro Canada, 20 Royal Rd., Fredericton, on Tuesday, May 18, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Fredericton YMCA daycare, 570 York St., Fredericton, on Tuesday, May 18, and Wednesday, May 19
• The Reps Gym, 401 Connell St., Woodstock, on May 17 to May 19 between 8 p.m. and midnight.
• Capitol Building, 114 Queen St., Woodstock, on May 17 to May 19.
• Scholten's, 325 Sunset Dr., Fredericton, on May 17 between 4 and 8 p.m.
• Walmart, 125 Two Nations Crossing, Fredericton on Monday, May 17, between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Dollarama, 125 Two Nations Crossing, Fredericton on Monday, May 17, between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Sobeys Fast Fuel, 530 Brookside Dr., Fredericton on Monday, May 17, between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• Walmart Supercentre, 1399 Regent St., Fredericton on Sunday, May 16, between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• Shoppers Drug Mart, 1040 Prospect St., Fredericton on Sunday, May 16, between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
• Christ Church (Parish) Church, 245 Westmorland St., Fredericton, Sunday, May 16, 10:30 a.m. service.
• Hope City Church, 429 Clements Dr., Fredericton, on Sunday, May 16, 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. services.
• Atlantic Superstore, 116 Main St., Fredericton, on May 16 between 9 and 11 a.m.
• Crowne Plaza Fredericton, 659 Queen St., Fredericton, on May 15 between 3 p.m. and May 16 at noon.
• Crowne Plaza Fredericton, 659 Queen St., between 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 15, and noon on Sunday, May 16.
• Castle Building Supplies, 24B Columbus St., Perth-Andover, on May 14 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., and May 20 between noon and 5:30 p.m.
• Arthurette General Store, 1450 Route 109, Red Rapids, on May 11 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., May 16 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and May 21 between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. 
• Save Easy, A-24 Columbus St., Perth-Andover, on May 11, May 14, May 15, and May 21 between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Edmundston region:

• Tim Hortons, 54 Canada St., Saint-Quentin, on May 16, between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.

Bathurst region:

• Tim Hortons, 1420 Vanier Blvd., Bathurst, on May 16, between 5 and 7 p.m.

What to do if you have a symptom

People concerned they might have COVID-19 symptoms can take a self-assessment test online. 

Public Health says symptoms shown by people with COVID-19 have included:

• Fever above 38 C.

• New cough or worsening chronic cough.

• Sore throat.

• Runny nose.

• Headache.

• New onset of fatigue, muscle pain, diarrhea, loss of sense of taste or smell.

• Difficulty breathing.

In children, symptoms have also included purple markings on the fingers and toes.

People with one of those symptoms should:

• Stay at home.

• Call Tele-Care 811 or their doctor.

• Describe symptoms and travel history.

• Follow instructions.