No new cases of COVID-19 reported, still 6 active cases in Moncton

No new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in New Brunswick on Monday, according to the provincial government.

There are six active cases of the respiratory disease in the province, all involving temporary foreign workers in Moncton who immediately went into self-isolation upon arriving in New Brunswick. 

Four of the temporary foreign workers are from Mexico and were destined for jobs in Miramichi, Premier Blaine Higgs has said. They are all in their 30s.

For the other two workers, one is in their 40s and one is in their 50s. No other information about them was released, but one travelled from Cancun.

All six foreign workers must continue to self-isolate until they're cleared by Public Health.

No risk at Eel River Bar First Nation

Eel River Bar First Nation resumed normal operations on Monday after its pandemic response team received confirmation Saturday that there was no threat to the community or staff members from a potential exposure to COVID-19 announced last Thursday.

"We continue to encourage the importance of abiding with provincial health and safety guidelines as this pandemic will be with us for the foreseeable future," Chief Sacha LaBillois-Kennedy said in a statement on the band's website.

The chief and council were notified Thursday afternoon about a community member with possible symptoms of COVID-19 and had posted an urgent notice on the band's website saying all band-operated buildings were closed until further notice as a precaution.

"Please be mindful that we will continuously monitor and assess situations as they evolve, our operations are subject to change based on the level of risk as it presents itself," the chief's updated statement said.

COVID cancels St. Stephen-Calais festival

Without COVID, last weekend would have been the busiest of the year for cross-border traffic between St. Stephen and Calais, Maine.

Before the pandemic hit, the two communities were planning to hold their 46th annual International Homecoming Festival, said Michael Ellis, the city manager for Calais.

It's a celebration of the ties that bind the communities separated by the US-Canada border, with a parade that crosses into both countries.

"We have a unique bond," said Ellis. "The two communities [are] separated by just a small river so … just a lot of family ties between the two communities."

"So, you know, we're very proud of the relationship that we have with our friends over there and this has been certainly a hardship for everybody, socially and economically."

Restrictions on non-essential travel across the Canada-U.S. border have been in place since March 21 due to COVID-19.

Cross-border traffic in Calais is all but gone.

Ellis said it's disappointing Calais can't access New Brunswick's customer base, given the spike in cases in the U.S. is happening elsewhere.

There are only seven active cases in Washington County, where Calais is located.

Six cases in the county have recovered and none have been fatal.

The province has recorded 176 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began in mid-March. Two people have died and 168 have recovered.

On Sunday, 218 tests were conducted for COVID-19. As of Monday, a total of 55,072 tests have been conducted since the pandemic started.

What to do if you have a symptom

People concerned they might have COVID-19 symptoms can take a self-assessment test 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 one of those symptoms are asked to:

• Stay at home.

• Call Tele-Care 811 or their doctor.

• Describe symptoms and travel history.

• Follow instructions.