N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 1 death, 46 new cases, 2,991 young children get 1st dose

Public Health reported one new COVID-related death and 46 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday and 2,991 children aged five to 11 have now received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

A person in their 70s in the Moncton region, Zone 1, has died as a result of COVID-19, raising the pandemic death toll to 124.

The new cases are spread across five of the province's seven health zones, with the largest numbers in the Moncton, Saint John and Miramichi regions, which all now have outbreaks at their hospitals.

The province began vaccinating children aged five to 11 last Friday, after Health Canada approved the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine in this age group.

Of the 2,991 vaccinated, 400 are 11-year-olds who have also received their second dose. These children have been eligible to receive the regular vaccine instead of the pediatric dose since late August because they will turn 12 before the end of the year.

A total of 81.6 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 86.5 per cent have received their first dose.

That's down from 88 per cent and 93.8 per cent respectively on Sunday because the province has started to include young children in its immunization statistics.

"As more children under 12 get vaccinated, we will quickly see our vaccination progress improve and the percentages will increase again," Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health, said in a statement.

The province's goal is to get at least 90 per cent of the total population double-dosed.

According to the CBC vaccine tracker, 77.6 per cent of the total population is fully vaccinated and 82.8 per cent have received one dose.

More than 11,040 appointments have been booked for children aged five to 11 to receive their first dose of the pediatric COVID-19 vaccine since last Tuesday.

About 54,500 children are eligible to receive the vaccine.

Due to the "high demand" for these appointments, additional clinics for children are being held in the Moncton region, Zone 1, and the Fredericton region, Zone 3, Public Health has said. More clinics will be added in other areas "if warranted," Public Health said in a news release Monday.

More than 130 pharmacies will also be administering the pediatric vaccine. They will begin receiving shipments from Dec. 2 to Dec. 8, and information on booking appointments at these locations is available online.

Province will monitor for new variant

New Brunswick will monitor for omicron now that the new COVID-19 variant of concern has been confirmed in Canada, according to a Department of Health spokesperson.

But asked whether the province will step up its vaccination efforts or take other measures such as increased testing to help protect residents, Bruce Macfarlane did not respond.

On Monday, Quebec announced a confirmed case of omicron in a woman who had recently returned from Nigeria.

It comes after Ontario confirmed two cases in Ottawa Sunday, both in people who had also recently travelled from Nigeria, through Montreal's airport.

Quebec officials would not confirm if the cases are related.

Ontario is also investigating four more possible cases, including two in the Hamilton area and two more in Ottawa.

New Brunswick made no mention of the new variant in its daily news release Monday.

"At present, information regarding omicron is limited, however, New Brunswick Public Health will continue its monitoring and surveillance of COVID-19 activity through PCR [polymerase chain reaction lab testing] and POCT [point-of-care rapid testing]," Macfarlane said in an emailed statement.

The province's lab at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre in Moncton has the capacity to detect the new variant through genetic sequencing, he said.

"The laboratory performs sequencing on all positive cases with a history of international travel and out of province travel.

"In addition, sequencing is performed on a high number of positives chosen randomly from each region every week."

The new variant was first detected in South Africa last week, and has been linked to a spike in cases there. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it a variant of concern and warned Monday the overall global risk related to omicron is "very high."

"There is concerning preliminary evidence on omicron suggesting, in contrast to previous [variants of concern], both potential immune escape and higher transmissibility that could lead to further surges with severe consequences."

WHO director Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the emergence of the highly-mutated variant underlines the "perilous and precarious" nature of the global situation. "We should all be wide awake to the threat of this virus."

Cases involving omicron have already been confirmed on multiple continents, with Germany, Italy, Belgium, Israel and Hong Kong all reporting cases in recent days.

Canada on Friday barred all foreign nationals who have travelled through South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini or Mozambique in the last 14 days from entering Canada. It was one of several measures announced limiting travel from the region.

WHO urged its 194 member states Monday to accelerate COVID-19 vaccination coverage "as rapidly as possible," especially among populations designated as high priority who remain unvaccinated or are not yet fully vaccinated.

Ontario is reviewing measures to protect residents, including the possible acceleration of its third-dose vaccine strategy, the province's top doctor said Monday.

Quebec's health minister did not rule out tightening public health measures, but said the government will wait to know more about the variant, such as whether it's more contagious and if it's resistant to vaccines, before making a decision.

In New Brunswick, those currently eligible for a booster dose include residents of nursing homes and adult residential facilities, such as special care homes, and people who are immunocompromised.

People who are 65 or older, health-care workers, residents of First Nations communities and school personnel can also book an appointment to receive a booster dose if six months have passed since their second dose.

Individuals who have received one or two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, and individuals who received a mixed vaccine schedule and must travel outside of North America for essential reasons are also eligible to receive an mRNA COVID-19 booster dose if 28 days have passed since their second dose.

A rollout plan for booster doses for the general public has not yet been announced.

"Based on the evidence of vaccine effectiveness, to date, we believe that most vaccinated New Brunswickers are still fully protected by the vaccine as less than six months have passed since they were fully vaccinated," Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health, said a month ago.

"But Public Health is aware that boosters will eventually be required, and we will have a plan in place to make this happen."

Hospital spread increases

In addition to the 46 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed Monday, Public Health also reported 132 recoveries, putting the province's active case count at 706, down from 793.

Sixty-four people are in the hospital, an increase of two. One person is under 19.

Seventeen people are in intensive care.

"Though the number of people currently hospitalized is of concern, 23 individuals contracted COVID-19 while already in hospital for another reason," Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health, said in a statement.

"Steps are being taken to ensure that the virus does not spread further in hospitals in Moncton and Saint John."

The breakdown of the new cases includes:

Moncton region, Zone 1 — 15 cases:

• Three people 19 or under
• Three people 20 to 29
• A person 30 to 39
• Three people 40 to 49
• A person 50 to 59
• A person 60 to 69
• Three people 70 to 79

Ten of these cases are under investigation, three cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases, and two cases are travel related.

Saint John region, Zone 2 — 10 cases:

• Two people 19 or under
• Two people 30 to 39
• A person 40 to 49
• Four people 50 to 59
• A person 60 to 69

Seven of these cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases, and the other three are under investigation.

Fredericton region, Zone 3  — nine cases:

• Four people 19 or under
• Two people 30 to 39
• A person 50 to 59
• A person 60 to 69
• A person 80 to 89

Seven of these cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases and the other two are under investigation.

Campbellton region, Zone 5  — one case:

• A person 19 or under

This case is a contact of a previously confirmed case.

Miramichi region, Zone 7  — 11 cases:

• Four people 19 or under
• A person 20 to 29
• Three people 30 to 39
• A person 40 to 49
• Two people 60 to 69

Seven of these cases are under investigation, and four are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

New Brunswick has had 8,263 confirmed cases of COVID-19 during the pandemic with 7,432 recoveries so far.

A total of 557,710 tests have been conducted to date, including 1,203 on Sunday.

Moncton Hospital considers 2nd COVID unit as outbreaks grow

COVID-19 outbreaks at the Moncton Hospital have prompted health officials to consider the creation of a second unit dedicated to COVID patients for the first time since the start of the pandemic, according to a doctor.

The outbreaks in four units have progressed rapidly in recent days, said Dr. Marie-Ève ​​Blanchard, who works at the hospital.

"If you look at last Monday, we had three patients in our COVID-19 unit with three intensive care patients, so six in total,"  she said in French during an interview Monday with La matinale.

"By the end of the week, we had reached 26 patients, five employees, who had contracted COVID-19 because of this whole series of outbreaks."

The COVID-19 unit has been expanded to handle 30 patients, and currently has 29 patients.

"This is the most patients we have ever had in our COVID-19 unit since the start of the pandemic."

There are also three intensive care patients for a total of 32 COVID-19 patients at the hospital.

"For the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, we're looking at whether we need two COVID units. What's the plan? Our team is working actively on that to make room," she said.

According to Christa Wheeler Thorne, the executive director of the hospital, patients from two of the outbreak units have been cohorted. Patients from the rehabilitation unit, Unit 4400, and the stroke and family medicine unit, Unit 4600, are now together on Unit 4600.

Unit 4400 is being reserved for a "yet-to-be-specified purpose (so overflow … non COVID-related)," Horizon spokesperson Kris McDavid said in an email.

Of the 32 COVID patients, 26 are tied to the outbreak units, he said. Six staff have also tested positive, as of Monday morning, according to a status report issued by Horizon late Monday afternoon.

"With three regional hospitals experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and all hospitals experiencing high occupancy rates and staffing challenges, Horizon will be providing regular updates on hospital operations, services, and COVID-19 outbreaks," it said.

Anyone with an appointment at a Horizon hospital or health-care facility should continue to attend, unless notified.

Horizon officials did not respond to further questions about the outbreaks and plans for a second COVID unit.

"We have expanded testing of patients to other units at the Moncton Hospital to ensure there are no other asymptomatic cases (sentinel surveillance)," the status report said.

Patients and staff in the affected units at the Moncton Hospital, Saint John Regional Hospital and Miramichi Regional Hospital are also being tested regularly, it said.

In addition, inpatients are being screened for COVID-19 symptoms every 12 hours, no patients are being admitted or transferred to or from the affected units, and the designated support person program on these units is temporarily suspended.

Horizon has implemented comprehensive infection prevention and control precautions, such as enhanced cleaning, and existing visitor restrictions remain in place.

There's a risk of having to transfer Moncton Hospital patients to other hospitals, such as the Dr-Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre, according to Blanchard. "That's what we fear," she said.

"We try to manage what we have as much as possible, but yes, it's like they have done in other provinces. Sometimes, at some point when you have no more intensive care beds, we did it in New Brunswick too. We will try to send patients to the neighbouring hospital if they have beds available."

The situation could also lead to the postponement of non-urgent care, Blanchard said.

"Certainly, we don't want to sound the alarm. Yes, there are going to be elective surgeries that are going to be postponed. These people will be contacted. But as much as possible lately, we try not to take away services. ... We want people to still feel comfortable coming to the emergency room if there is a medical emergency."

Horizon said some non-urgent surgeries may be postponed. "Those affected will be notified," it said.

On Nov. 22, an outbreak was declared on the stroke and family medicine unit, Unit 4600, followed by outbreaks on the rehabilitation unit, Unit 4400, and the family practice and geriatric unit, Unit 5100, on Nov. 23.

On Nov. 24, an outbreak was declared on the family medicine and palliative care unit, Unit 3600.

No new positive cases have been identified since Friday, according to Horizon's status report. Patients were lasted tested on Friday, and will be tested again Tuesday, it said.

Staff were last tested on Thursday, and were expected to be tested again on Monday.

The Moncton region, Zone 1, has 241 of the province's 706 active COVID-19 cases.

Last Thursday, Health Minister Dorothy Shephard said the number of active cases continues to "creep up, particularly in southern New Brunswick and Miramichi."

"We know some of those cases will result in hospitalization, with a greater risk to people who are unvaccinated."

Shephard urged New Brunswickers to help curb the spread by keeping their contact numbers low, wearing a mask, washing their hands and getting vaccinated.

Miramichi hospital outbreak declared

A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at Miramichi Regional Hospital after one patient tested positive on Saturday, according to a status report issued by the Horizon Health Network on Monday.

The affected units are the intensive care unit and family practice unit (2 West).

There were no other positive cases, as of Monday at 10 a.m., Horizon said.

Testing protocols for staff and patients are in place on the affected units.

"Some services may be affected" Tuesday. But patients should continue to attend appointments, such as surgeries, labour and birth services, ambulatory care and professional appointments, unless notified, the regional  health authority said.

Saint John hospital outbreak stands at 2

No new cases of COVID-19 have been detected in outbreaks at the Saint John Regional Hospital since last Thursday, the Horizon Health Network said Monday.

Outbreaks were declared on the orthopedic surgery (3CS) and internal medicine (4CN) units last Friday after a patient on each unit tested positive for COVID-19.

As of Monday at 11 a.m., the outbreaks still stood at two, Horizon said.

"All hospital services are continuing, and patients should come in for appointments, such as labour and birth services and ambulatory care and professional services," it said.

"Some non-urgent surgeries may be postponed; those affected will be notified."

22 new cases in schools, 6 in child-care facilities

Twenty-two new cases of COVID-19 have been detected in 16 schools across five zones since Friday, according to the COVID-19 dashboard.

Four of the schools where a positive case or cases have been confirmed were not previously impacted. These include: Woodstock High School in the Fredericton region, Zone 3, Parkwood Heights Elementary School in the Bathurst region, Zone 6, and Tabusintac Community School and Blackville School, both in the Miramichi region, Zone 7.

A positive case or cases have also been confirmed at Moncton High School, Bessborough School, Northrop Frye School, Evergreen Park School, École Le Sommet, École Champlain and École Mathieu-Martin, all in the Moncton region, Zone 1, Townsview School in the Fredericton region, Zone 3, Le Galion des Appalaches in the Campbellton region, Zone 5, and Gretna Green School, Napan Elementary School and Max Aitken Academy, all in the Miramichi region, Zone 7.

At least nine schools have operational days Monday, although Evergreen Park School and Townsview School each only have one class affected, according to the Department of Education, and at Woodstock High School, only Grade 9 unvaccinated students are affected.

Forty schools are currently impacted.

A total of 517 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in 145 schools since the beginning of the school year.

Six cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at five child-care facilities across three health zones since Friday, according to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.

In the Miramichi region, Zone 7, a positive case or cases have been confirmed at L'il Critters Early Learning and Care, which was not previously impacted.

A positive case or cases have also been confirmed at Causerie Amicale, Wee College Crandall and Northend Learning Center, all in the Moncton region, Zone 1 and Angels 'R' Wee in the Saint John region, Zone 2.

There have been 92 early learning and child-care facilities affected by COVID-19 since Sept. 7. The total number of cases has not been released.

Atlantic COVID roundup

Nova Scotia reported two deaths and 59 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, bringing the active caseload in the province to 171. Thirteen people are in hospital with COVID-19, including four in intensive care.

Newfoundland and Labrador reported nine new cases Monday. The province has 21 active cases and one person is in hospital.

Prince Edward Island reported five new cases Sunday. The province has 35 active cases.

Public exposure notices

Public Health has issued numerous new potential COVID-19 public exposure notices Monday for the Moncton region, Zone 1, including an arena, library, indoor play space, restaurants, and retail stores.

There are also new exposure notices for the Saint John region, Zone 2, including a hospital urgent care unit and provincial court, as well as the Fredericton region, Zone 3, including a student union building and coffee shops, and the Miramichi region, Zone 7, including an arena and church.

For the full list of new and previous public exposure notices, visit the provincial government's website.

People who have not been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to a possible exposure and who have symptoms should get a COVID lab test. They can book an appointment online or call Tele-Care 811 and must isolate while waiting for their test result.

People who are not fully vaccinated and do not have symptoms are now being instructed to pick up an At-Home COVID-19 Rapid Point of Care Test (Rapid POCT) screening kit. They do not need to isolate if they have not been directed by Public Health to do so.

All positive point-of-care test results must be confirmed with a laboratory polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, test.

It can take up to 14 days to test positive after being exposed to COVID-19, so even if results come back negative, people should continue to self-monitor for any symptoms and get tested immediately if any develop.

They should also avoid visiting settings with vulnerable populations, such as nursing homes, correctional facilities and shelters during that 14-day period.

For people who have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to a possible exposure, Public Health recommends they monitor for symptoms for 14 days after the possible exposure and get a COVID lab test if symptoms develop.

They do not need to isolate while they wait for their test results.

If they do not have symptoms, they can pick up a rapid test kit and do not need to isolate.

What to do if you have a symptom

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

Public Health says symptoms of the illness have included a fever above 38 C, a new or worsening cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, a new onset of fatigue, and 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 811 or their doctor and follow instructions.