N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 6 new cases, Nova Scotia ready to 'take action' if necessary

Nova Scotia is monitoring the rising number of COVID-19 cases in New Brunswick and, if necessary, will reinstate border restrictions or recommend Nova Scotians not visit, says that province's chief medical officer of health.

Dr. Robert Strang said there is a cluster of cases in the Moncton region among unvaccinated young people.

New Brunswick reported six new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, putting the province's active case count at 55.

"We're watching that very carefully," Strang said of the Moncton cluster when he spoke at a COVID briefing Thursday.

"It's not a surprise. It's another example of where we see the delta variant take hold is when you have under-immunized populations. And quite frankly, it's often in the younger population." 

Unlike some other provinces, New Brunswick does not provide the vaccination status of cases, citing confidentiality. News releases are no longer issued on a regular basis, so a detailed breakdown of the ages of the new cases and their source is unknown.

Nova Scotia reported one new case of COVID-19 on Friday and renewed the state of emergency until Aug. 22 at noon. The province has 13 active cases.

New Brunswick's case count and list of public exposure notifications have continued to climb steadily since last Saturday, when the province entered the green phase without any Public Health restrictions, such as masks, physical distancing or gathering limits.

But given the incubation period of the coronavirus is up to two weeks, and symptoms are typically experienced two to 14 days after exposure, it's unclear if the jump is related to restrictions being removed.

Nova Scotia will continue to assess the situation, said Strang.

"We'll take action as appropriate and necessary," he said, "whether it's advising Nova Scotians not to travel or even restricting travel, increasing our border measures for people coming from New Brunswick."

"But we're not there yet," he added.

Moncton region hardest hit

Of the six new cases of COVID-19 reported Friday, all of them in the Moncton region, Zone 1.

Although there are active cases in all seven health zones, the Moncton region has 40 of the province's 55 cases, the COVID-19 dashboard shows.

One case previously reported in the Moncton region has been removed from the province's active case count because that person lives in another province, said Department of Health spokesperson Bruce Macfarlane. He could not immediately say if the person is still in New Brunswick.

Since Thursday, one more person has recovered from the respiratory disease, and hospitalizations remain at zero.

While case counts continue to climb, the vaccination rate continues to slow. A total of 3,700 doses were administered Thursday, including 2,878 second doses and 822 first doses.

Sixty-nine per cent of New Brunswickers aged 12 and older are now fully vaccinated, up from 68.6, while 82.6 per cent of the eligible population have had at least one dose, up from 82.5.

The province had hoped to have two shots in 75 per cent of the eligible population by Aug. 2.

At the current pace, the province won't hit the original target until Aug. 23, according to Oliver Dueck, a software developer based in Fredericton, who has been tracking the province's vaccine data for the past few months.

That date has slipped by 10 days over the past week, he said.

Anyone 12 or older is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, and anyone who has received a first dose can get a second dose after 28 days.

A list of upcoming walk-in clinics is available online.

People can also book an appointment online through a Horizon or Vitalité health network clinic or through a participating pharmacy.

They are asked to bring their Medicare card, a signed consent form and, for those receiving a second dose, a copy of the record of immunization they received after getting their first dose.

New Brunswick has had 2,414 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, with 2,312 recoveries so far and 46 COVID-related deaths.

A total of 385,053 COVID tests have been conducted, including 803 on Thursday.

Call to reinstitute isolation for unvaccinated travellers

Green Party Leader David Coon is calling on Premier Blaine Higgs to reinstitute isolation requirements for travellers who are not fully vaccinated who are coming to New Brunswick from outside the Atlantic provinces and the Quebec regions of Avignon, Matapédia and Témiscouata.

He points to the "severeness" of the delta variant and the need to protect New Brunswickers.

The measure would bring New Brunswick in line with Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador, notes Coon, all of which require unvaccinated travellers to isolate upon arrival.

"For a year and a half, we have kept case counts and hospitalizations down in New Brunswick and across Atlantic Canada. As a province, we must do our part to ensure this continues," he said in a news release.

Unvaccinated travellers from outside Atlantic Canada are required to isolate for up to 14 days upon entering Nova Scotia, eight days upon entering P.E.I. and at least a week upon entering Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Given the explosion of cases of the delta variant that we have seen in places with high vaccination rates, such as the United Kingdom, it is imperative that the premier acts now," said Coon, who is also the MLA for Fredericton South. "We can't afford to wait until there are significant hospitalizations before government acts."

Higgs did not respond to a request for comment.

Instead, Department of Health spokesperson Bruce Macfarlane said Public Health continues to closely monitor the number of active cases, hospitalizations, vaccine effectiveness, and variants of concern in New Brunswick, and across Canada, "to help evaluate our progress and next steps."

"When and if COVID-19 activity increases to a level that threatens to overwhelm our recovery, further advisories and Public Health measures may be promoted to maintain the stability of the recovery process," he said in an emailed statement.

Isolate for 10 days or 14 days?

Recent changes in isolation requirements has led to some confusion.

Last week, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell and Premier Blaine Higgs both told CBC News the isolation period had dropped to 10 days from 14.

But some who may have been exposed to the coronavirus have been receiving notices from Public Health, advising them the isolation requirement is a "full 14 days."

Department of Health spokesperson Bruce Macfarlane said it's confirmed cases who only have to isolate for 10 days.

"When infected with COVID-19, it has been deemed that in most circumstances, the individual would be infectious (i.e. could transmit to others) for a period of 10 days; however, if exposed, a contact may take up to 14 days to display symptoms and/or become infectious," he said in an emailed statement.

"Anyone identified as a high-risk close contact is still being asked to isolate for a period of 14 days at this time."

Macfarlane did not respond to a request to define a "high-risk" contact or say whether there are other types of contacts who might have to isolate for a shorter period.

He also failed to respond when asked whether a person's vaccination status is taken into consideration.

According to a Public Health notice obtained by CBC News, however, people who are considered unvaccinated or partially vaccinated must isolate for the full 14 days.

Unvaccinated is defined as someone who has not received any vaccine or received their first dose less than 14 days before exposure. Partially vaccinated include those who received their first dose more than 14 days before exposure and their second dose less than 14 days before exposure.

These people should also wear a mask and maintain distance from others if they're required to leave their home for testing or medical emergencies, the notice advises.

They need to get tested twice and should self-monitor for symptoms.

For people who are fully vaccinated, isolation is "not required unless symptomatic," it states.

People are considered fully vaccinated if they have received two doses of a vaccine, with the last dose more than 14 days before exposure.

No testing is required, but they are also urged to self-monitor for symptoms and if any develop, to get tested.

A total of 277 people, including confirmed cases and direct contacts, are currently self-isolating across the province, Macfarlane said.

Health Canada adds Bell's palsy warning to Pfizer label

Health Canada has updated the product information for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to include "very rare" reports of Bell's palsy.

Bell's palsy is an episode of facial muscle weakness or paralysis on one side of the face, which typically occurs suddenly and is temporary. Symptoms usually start to improve after a few weeks.

"Cases have been reported in a small number of people in Canada and internationally" following vaccination with Pfizer, Health Canada reported on Friday.

The condition is already listed as a possible side effect of the Moderna vaccine, and Health Canada continues to "assess this issue for all authorized COVID-19 vaccines in Canada."

Still, the department reassures Canadians that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at protecting them against COVID-19, and that the benefits of being vaccinated outweigh any potential risks.

It recommends vaccine recipients seek medical attention if they experience any combination of the following symptoms after vaccination:

• Unco-ordinated movement of the muscles that control facial expressions, such as smiling, squinting, blinking or closing the eyelid.
• Loss of feeling in the face.
• Headache.
• Tearing from the eye.
• Drooling.
• Lost sense of taste on the front two-thirds of the tongue.
• Hypersensitivity to sound in the one ear.
• Inability to close an eye on one side of the face.

Health professionals should be alert to the signs and symptoms of side effects following vaccination, and report any event potentially related to a vaccine to their local public health unit, the department advised.

Health Canada said it will continue to work with manufacturers, as well as domestic and international partners, to "gain a better understanding of the potential relationship between COVID-19 vaccines and adverse events."

It will "take further action if necessary," it said.

The exact cause of Bell's palsy is unknown. It's believed to be the result of swelling and inflammation of the nerve that controls muscles on one side of a person's face.

Atlantic COVID roundup

Nova Scotia reported one new case of COVID-19 on Friday and has 13 active cases. The state of emergency has been renewed until Aug. 22 at noon, unless the government terminates or extends it.

Newfoundland and Labrador reported two new cases and has seven active cases. The province has also said it will drop mandatory masks requirements as of Aug. 10. 

Prince Edward Island, which does not give a daily update, has four active cases, according to the province's COVID-19 website.

New exposure notices

New possible exposures to the coronavirus in the three zones have been added to the government's website:

Moncton region, Zone 1:

• Aug. 4 between 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Planet Fitness, 80 Mapleton Rd., Moncton
• Aug. 4 between 1 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. – NB Liquor, River Road, Salisbury
• Aug. 3 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., Aug. 4 between 7:45 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. – Global Pet Foods, 106-450 Pinewood Rd., Moncton
• Aug. 3 between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Chez Ange Bistro, 318 Main St., Shediac
• Aug. 3 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Boutique Beausoliel, 231 Parlee Beach Rd., Pointe-du-Chêne
• Aug. 3 between 8:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. – Laundromat, 382 George St., Moncton
• Aug. 2 between midnight and 3:30 a.m., and Aug. 3 between 9:30 p.m. and 2 a.m. – Miss Cue, 459 Mountain Road, Moncton
• Aug. 1 between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. – Carrabas Italian Grill, 1000 Main St., Moncton
• Aug. 1 between 8:30 p.m. and closing – Sports Rock, 451 Paul St., Dieppe
• July 31 between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. – Pump House, 5 Orange Lane, Moncton
• July 29 between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. – Tide and Boar, 700 Main St., Moncton
• July 28 between 8 p.m. and 2:30 a.m., July 29 between 4 p.m. and 2:30 a.m., July 30 between 8 p.m. and 2:30 a.m., July 31 between 4 p.m. and 2:30 a.m., and Aug. 1 between 9:30 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. – The Furnace Room, 191 Robinson St., Moncton
• July 27 between noon and 3 p.m. – Skipper Jack's Maritime Restaurant, 211 Mapleton St., Moncton
• July 26 between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. - CAVOK, 250 Dieppe Blvd., Dieppe
• July 26 between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Third Glass, 819 Main St., Moncton
• July 23 between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Euston Park, 5 Euston St., Moncton

Saint John region, Zone 2:

• July 30 between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. – Britt's, 42 Princess St., Saint John
• July 30 between 8 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. – Eighty Three Bar Arcade, 43 Princess St., Saint John

Miramichi region, Zone 7:

• Aug. 4 between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Vicker's River Tubing, 906 Howard Rd., Blackville

Previous exposure notices

Public Health has identified positive cases in people who may have been infectious while travelling on the following flights:

• July 26 – WestJet Flight 3404 – from Toronto to Fredericton, departed at 4 p.m.
• July 25 – Air Canada Flight 8904 – from Montreal to Moncton, departed at 7:54 p.m.
• July 25 – Air Canada Flight 7546 – from Toronto to Fredericton, departed at 2:27 p.m.
• July 19 – WestJet Flight 3461 – from Ottawa to Toronto, departed at 10:00 a.m. 
• July 19 – WestJet Flight 3404 – from Toronto to Fredericton, departed at 3:40 p.m. 

Moncton region, Zone 1:

• Aug. 1 between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.- Katch Seafood & Pizza Girls, 827 Main St., Moncton
• Aug.1 between 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Goya's Pizza, 96 Main St., Sackville
• July 24 between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., July 31 between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. – The Furnace Room, 191 Robinson St., Moncton
• July 25 between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., July 26 between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., July 28 between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., July 30 between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. and July 31 between 3 p.m. and 11 p.m. – Gusto's Italian Grill and Bar, 130 Westmorland Dr., Moncton
• July 23 between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., July 25 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., July 28 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. July 29 between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. and July 30 between 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – Tony's Bistro & Patisserie, 137 McLaughlin Rd., Moncton
• July 30 between noon and 11:30 p.m., July 31 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. – La Coast, 358 Main St., Shediac
• July 30 between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., July 31 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Gahan House Hub City, 55 Queen St., Moncton
• July 30 between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. – Keg Steakhouse, 576 Main St., Moncton
• July 30 between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.- Angie's Show Palace, 187 Champlain St., Dieppe
• July 30 between 7 p.m. and midnight - Osaka Hibachi, 599 Main St., Moncton
• July 30 between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. - Cassi Lounge, 212 St. George St., Moncton
• July 30 between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. - Kings Club, 841 Main St., Moncton
• July 30 between 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. – Cannabis NB, 40 Wyse St., Moncton 
• July 30 between noon and 2 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore, 65 Main St., Moncton 
• July 30 between 12:30 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. – H&M, 1477 Paul St., Dieppe 
• July 30 between 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Chapters,  499 Paul St., Moncton 
• July 30 between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – Tokai Ramen,  823 Main St., Moncton
• July 29 between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. – Captain Dan's, 50 Pointe Du Chêne Rd., Shediac
• July 29 between 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.  – St. James Gate, 14 Church St., Moncton 
• July 29 between 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. – Magic Mountain Mini Putt, 150 Magic Mountain Rd., Moncton 
• July 28 between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. – Pump House – Brewpub & Restaurant,  5 Orange Lane, Moncton
• July 28 between 3 p.m. and midnight and July 29 between 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. – Cheers' Beverage Room and Catering, 63 Brandon St., Moncton
• July 28 between 3 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. – Pizza Delight, 188 Mountain Rd., Moncton
• July 24 between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., July 27 between 11:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.– GoodLife Fitness, 555 Dieppe Blvd., Dieppe
• July 25 between 1:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. – Mama's Pizza, 806 Main St., Moncton
• July 25 between 10 a.m and 5 p.m., July 30 between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Sandbar Restaurant, 70 Pointe-du-Chêne Rd., Shediac
• July 25 between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m., July 30 between 8:30 p.m. and 1 a.m., July 31 between 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Pub 1755, 439 Champlain St., Dieppe
• July 25 between 10:30 p.m. and 2:30 a.m., July 30 between 12:30 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. – The Furnace Room, 191 Robinson St., Moncton
• July 25 between 9 p.m. and 12:30 a.m., July 30 between 10:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. – Wize Guyz Pub, 176 Robinson St., Moncton
• July 24 between 11:30 p.m. and 2 a.m., – Tandorri Zaika, 196 Robinson St., Moncton
• July 22 between 6:15 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. – Gusto's Italian Grill and Bar, 130 Westmorland Dr., Moncton
• July 22 between 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Starbucks, 361 Champlain St., Dieppe

Saint John region, Zone 2:

• July 31 between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.– Montana's Restaurant, 51 Depot Court
• July 27 between 5:30 p.m and 7:30 p.m. – Saint John Ale House, 1 Market Sq., Saint John
• July 27 between 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. – Hopscotch, 4 Canterbury St., Saint John
• July 27 between 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. – Italian By Night, 97 Germain  St., Saint John
• July 27 between 10:15 p.m. and midnight – Churchill's Bar and Pub, 8 Grannan St., Saint John
• July 27 between 11:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. – Uptown Pub Down Under Bar, 88 Prince William St., Saint John

Fredericton region, Zone 3:

There is a single exposure notice for the Fredericton area on July 26 for Maritime Bus Coach 1908, from Moncton to Fredericton, which departed at 4:20 p.m.

Miramichi region, Zone 7:

• Aug. 1 between noon and 9 p.m. – Bay du Vin Island Event
• Aug. 1 between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. – Westside Bar, 546 MicMac Rd., Esgenoopetitj First Nation
• July 31 between 11:30 p.m. and 1 a.m., Aug. 1 between 11 p.m. to close – Pub 981, 981 Principale St., Neguac

People who may have been exposed to the virus at the growing list of possible locations across the province are now being urged to request a COVID-19 test online or call Tele-Care 811 to get an appointment.

Public Health's advice on the website for people who have been at any of the locations at the dates and times specified has been to self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days after the potential exposure and, only if any symptoms develop, to immediately self-isolate and book a test.

But the most recent news releases issued by the province indicate "anyone with symptoms of the virus, as well as anyone who has been at the site of a possible public exposure" should get tested.

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.