N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 58 new cases, Nova Scotia tightens border

New Brunswick has 58 new cases of COVID-19, including an outbreak at the Shediac jail, pushing the province's active caseload to 173 and prompting Nova Scotia to reimpose isolation and testing restrictions on travellers from New Brunswick who aren't fully vaccinated.

The number of people in hospital in New Brunswick has increased to three, none of them in intensive care, Public Health announced Monday.

This was the first update of New Brunswick COVID-19 numbers since Friday, when 34 new cases were reported.

It is the highest provincial case count New Brunswick has had since April 5, when there were 168 active cases and 14 people in hospital, including eight in intensive care.

The new cases are spread over six regions, with more than half of them being in the Moncton region, Zone 1.

Of the new cases, 85 per cent are in people who are not fully vaccinated, Public Health said in a news release.

That has also been the situation with 89 per cent of the cases of COVID confirmed since July 1, or 303 of 340, the release said.

As of Monday, 72.7 per cent of New Brunswickers aged 12 or older are fully vaccinated, up from 72.3 per cent on Friday, while 84 per cent have received at least one dose, up from 83.8.

"There are still many people in New Brunswick who need to get vaccinated as quickly as possible," Dr. Cristin Muecke, deputy chief medical officer of health, said in a statement.

"The risk is proven to be far lower when you are vaccinated," she said. "It protects you, the people you love and your community.

"The virus is present in all areas of the province and you may not always be aware if you have been exposed. If you have symptoms you should assume you have COVID and get tested, especially if you are not fully vaccinated."

Nova Scotia is starting to see COVID cases linked directly to New Brunswick, Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia's chief medical officer of health, said alongside premier-designate Tim Houston in a briefing Monday afternoon.

Starting Wednesday at 8 a.m., people travelling from New Brunswick who have only one dose of a vaccine must isolate for at least seven days and receive a negative test.

Those who are unvaccinated will have to isolate for two weeks.

Strang said the new rules provide an "extra layer of protection."

"People who choose to be unvaccinated are going to have to go through extra measures to keep the rest of us safe," he said.

The new rules don't  affect New Brunswickers or Nova Scotians who are fully vaccinated.

Exceptions to the self-isolation requirement include workers and students who frequently cross the border with New Brunswick.

People moving to Nova Scotia, or coming for vacation or an extended stay, will have to complete the Nova Scotia Safe Check-in form and self-isolate based on vaccination status and testing.

Walk-in vaccination clinics offering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which is suitable for people 12 and older, are underway in New Brunswick Monday at the following locations:

• Moncton Coliseum, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sussex Legion, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Pennfield Lions Club, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Walk-in vaccination clinics are also scheduled for Tuesday:

• Woodstock, Ayr Motor Centre, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Oromocto, Hazen Park Centre, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Miramichi Exhibition Building, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Petitcodiac, Royal Canadian Legion, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Shippagan, Centre des congrès de la Péninsule acadienne (Convention Centre of the Acadian Peninsula), 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

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.

Anyone age 12 or older is eligible to get a vaccine and can get their second shot 28 days after their first.

Breakdown of new cases

The 58 new cases reported by Public Health Monday break down this way:

Moncton region, Zone 1, 30 cases:

• 11 people 19 or under
• Five people 20 to 29
• Seven people 30 to 39
• A person 40 to 49
• Two people 50 to 59
• Four people 60 to 69

Twenty-one of the cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases, two are travel-related and seven are under investigation.

Zone 1 now has 98 of the province's 173 active cases. This is more than Zone 1 has ever had, surpassing the 95 active cases it had on Jan. 26, according to Ray Harris, a data analyst in Fredericton who maintains a COVID-19 tracking website.

Saint John region, Zone 2, four cases:

• A person 19 or under
• A person 30 to 39
• Two people 40 to 49

All four cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Fredericton region, Zone 3, 16 cases:

• Eight people 19 or under
• Three people 20 to 29
• A person 30 to 39
• Two people 40 to 49
• A person 50 to 59
• A person 90 or over

Seven of these cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases, six are travel-related and three are under investigation.

Edmundston region, Zone 4, one case:

• A person 40 to 49

This case is a contact of a previously confirmed case.

Bathurst region, Zone 6, one case:

• A person 20 to 29

This case is under investigation.

Miramichi region, Zone 7, six cases:

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

Four of the cases are contacts of a previously confirmed case, one is travel-related and the other is under investigation.

New Brunswick has reported 2,672 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began. There have been 2,452 recoveries so far and 46 COVID-related deaths.

A total of 400,152 COVID-19 tests have been conducted to date, including 2,244 since Aug. 20.

Outbreak at Shediac jail

Public Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the Southeast Regional Correctional Centre in Shediac, where four positive cases have been confirmed in both staff and inmates.

This is the first outbreak the province has had in a corrections centre, said Department of Justice and Public Safety spokesperson Coreen Enos.

The first positive case was confirmed on Friday, said Enos. She did not say if it involved an inmate or staff member.

There were 144 inmates in custody that day, she said.

A total of 132 correctional officers work at the jail, along with "several other staff members" in administration, culinary and maintenance.

The provincial rapid outbreak management team, known as PROMT, responded and tested all inmates and "close-contact" staff.

The movement of inmates is being restricted to mitigate spread, said Enos, and an undisclosed number of staff members are self-isolating.

Every offender newly admitted to a correctional centre is tested for COVID-19 before being allowed to join the general population, and all staff have continued to wear personal protective equipment, even after the province moved to the green phase of COVID-19 recovery, said Enos.

She did not provide the vaccination rates for the Shediac jail but said an estimated 35 per cent of inmates across the province are fully vaccinated.

"Because terms in provincial institutions are relatively short, we are typically unable to offer double-vaccination to those in our care," she said in an emailed statement.

"Public Health has offered vaccination to inmates who are in custody and plans are underway to have more clinics."

The vaccination rate among corrections staff provincewide is roughly 75 per cent, Enos said.

"Corrections staff take their responsibility to protect inmates, employees and the public seriously."

Court appearances will be held remotely through video conference, said Enos.

The department has contingency plans, and staff from other centres are being assigned to Shediac as needed, she added.

Southeast Regional Correctional Centre is designed to house 180 adult offenders.

Vaccine should be mandatory for all students, Cardy says

Education Minister Dominic Cardy hasn't given up hope of strengthening mandatory vaccination rules for New Brunswick schoolchildren and says COVID-19 vaccines should be on the list once they're cleared for use.

"Why on earth wouldn't we use a vaccine that is now being safely used by the billions of doses around the world and has put the brakes on a horrifying pandemic?" Cardy said during an interview with Information Morning Fredericton.

Public Health is already looking at making the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for public schools, similar to the measles vaccine found in the province's vaccine mandate. 

COVID vaccines aren't yet approved for use in children under 12.

Cardy's bill to strengthen mandatory-vaccination rules for schoolchildren in New Brunswick was voted down in the provincial legislature last year. But Cardy said it's worth revisiting. The bill would have eliminated religious and philosophical exemptions to the required vaccines. 

"I think we have to look at those questions again," Cardy said.

• Full-time, full classes, but some restrictions in schools until vaccination rates improve

The most recent figures from the province, on Friday's COVID-19 dashboard, show 72.7 per cent of people in the 12-to-19 age group have received a first dose of vaccine, and 56.8 per cent have received two doses.

Cardy said he wasn't surprised by the low numbers because this was the last group given access the vaccines. He said there has also been less concern about COVID-19 over the summer months, when young people have more trouble getting transportation and juggling part-time jobs.

"I'm optimistic we'll get those numbers up," he said.

Last week, Cardy also announced this year's back-to-school plan, which requires all school staff be vaccinated or undergo regular testing. Vaccinations for students 12 or older is strongly encouraged.

The back-to-school plan also includes masking in all common areas and on schoolbuses.

Cardy has already received some pushback from parents who say they won't let their children wear masks on the bus.

"If your kids refuse to wear a mask on the bus or, much more likely, parents refuse to let their child bring a mask on the bus, they will not be allowed to access the bus service."

COVID restrictions take toll on chronic conditions

COVID-19 restrictions have taken a toll on people with chronic health conditions, such as diabetes.

Diabetes Canada says complications such as diabetic foot ulcers, hypoglycemia, and diabetic ketoacidosis, which is when a person's body can't produce enough insulin, have increased during the pandemic.

The organization says it's because of reduced access to in-person care and services, which was challenging for patients and health-care providers at the start of the pandemic.

"One of the key things is suddenly switching to virtual care and not being able to rely on our lab for routine followup blood work and for blood work to diagnose diabetes as well," said Dr. Mary MacSween, a diabetes specialist at the Moncton Hospital.

Some patients haven't kept up with their routine visits, because they're feeling relatively well most of the time unless their blood sugars are out of range.

"What worked last year may not work very well now," she said. "If you were normally in a more physically active, on-your-feet job, such as retail, and then you're laid off, or you're at home working now on a computer all day, there's going to be changes in your blood glucose, probably not for the better."

Although she prefers in-person care, particularly with newer patients, MacSween said more patients are relying on virtual care to help save time.

"I don't think there's any going back."

Dumont geriatric unit visits suspended

Visits to the geriatric unit (3E) at Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre in Moncton are temporarily suspended because of a possible exposure to the coronavirus, the Vitalité Health Network announced over the weekend.

The ban on visits will remain in effect until further notice, the regional health authority said in a news release.

"All measures are implemented to ensure the safety of patients, visitors, employees and physicians of the facility," Vitalité said in a statement.

A ban on visits to the psychiatry unit (4B), announced on Aug. 13 because of a possible exposure, was lifted Monday afternoon.

The suspension of visits to Tracadie Hospital's 2nd North Unit, announced Sunday after a possible exposure, remains in effect until further notice.

New possible exposures

Public Health has identified a positive case of COVID-19 in a person who may have been infectious while on the following flights:

• Aug. 19 – Air Canada Flight 7548 – from Toronto to Fredericton
• Aug. 17 – Air Canada Flight 8902 – from Montreal to Moncton

Public Health has also identified new places in New Brunswick where people may have been exposed to the coronavirus:

Moncton region, Zone 1:

• Aug. 20 between 10:30 p.m. and 1 a.m. – Casino NB, 21 Casino Dr., Moncton
• Aug. 20 between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. – Pump House Restaurant, 51 Orange Lane, Moncton
• Aug. 17 between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. – Tide and Boar Brewing, 1355 Main St, Moncton
• Aug. 7 between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Parish, 11 St. Andrews Rd., Pointe du Chene

Fredericton region, Zone 3:

• Aug. 20 between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Ayr Motor Centre, 105 Connell Park Rd., Woodstock
• Aug. 19 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. – Ayr Motor Centre, 105 Connell Park Rd., Woodstock
• Aug. 18 between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. – Carleton County Court House, 19 Court St., Upper Woodstock

Bathurst region, Zone 6:

•  Aug. 18 between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Nigadoo Falls Trail, Nigadoo

Miramichi region, Zone 7:

• Aug. 19 between 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Jean Coutu Pharmacy, 4 Johnson Ave., Miramichi
• Aug. 19 between 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Gallan's Miramichi River Tubing, 48 Kersey Lane, Doyles Brook

Anyone with symptoms of the virus, as well as anyone who has been at the site of a possible public exposure is being urged to request a test online or call Tele-Care 811 to get an appointment.

Atlantic COVID roundup

Nova Scotia confirmed 17 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday and has 41 active cases.

Newfoundland and Labrador has two new cases, and 15 active cases.

Prince Edward Island, which does not give a daily update, has had no new cases since Saturday and still has seven active cases, according to the province's COVID-19 website.

Previous exposure notices

Public Health has identified a positive case of COVID-19 in a person who may have been infectious while on the following flights:

• Aug. 19 – Air Canada Flight 8902 – from Montreal to Moncton, departed at 1:38 p.m.
• Aug. 17 – Air Canada Flight 8506 – from Montreal to Fredericton, departed 7:45 p.m.
• Aug. 13 – Air Canada Flight 8946 – from Toronto to Moncton, departed at 10:04 p.m.
• Aug. 11 – Air Canada Flight 8773 – from Montreal to Saint John, which departed at 9:14 a.m.

Public Health has also identified places in New Brunswick where people may have been exposed to the coronavirus during the past two weeks.

Moncton region:

• Aug. 14 between 8:45 a.m. and 9:45 a.m., Aug. 15 between 7:45 a.m. and 8:45 a.m., Aug. 17 between noon and 1 p.m., Aug.18 between noon and 1 p.m. and Aug. 19 between noon and 1 p.m. – Route 51 Green Line and Route 62 Hildegard Codiac Transpo, 140 Millennium Blvd., Moncton
• Aug. 18 between 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. – Igloo Bar, 300 Elmwood Dr., Moncton
• Aug.18 between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Aug, 16 between 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., Aug. 13 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Aug. 11 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Aug. 10 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. - Crowne Plaza Moncton, 1005 Main St., Moncton
• Aug. 16 between 5 and 7 p.m. – Boathouse Restaurant, 8588 Main St., Alma
• Aug. 16 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Burger King, 465 Paul St., Dieppe
• Aug. 16 between 12 p.m and 7 p.m – Magic Mountain Water Park, 2875 Mountain Rd., Moncton
• Aug. 15 between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. – Jean's Restaurant, 1999 Mountain Rd., Moncton
• Aug. 14 between 2 and 3 p.m. – Champlain Mall Food Court, 477 Paul St., Dieppe
• Aug. 13 between 9 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. – Wise Guyz Pub, 176 Robinson St., Moncton
• Aug. 13 between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. – Ioob Lounge Ltd., 127 Robinson St., Moncton
• Aug. 11 – Groupe- Support Emotionnel, 96 Norwood Ave., Suite 300A, Moncton
• Aug. 14 between 2 p.m. and 3:30 a.m.  – Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre emergency room, 330 Université Ave., Moncton
• Aug. 9, 10, 11, 13, and 14 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. – Action Car and Truck Accessories, 200 Horsman Rd., Moncton
• Aug. 9, 10, and 13 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. – Deware's Service Centre, 402 Elmwood Dr., Moncton
• Aug. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. – Oulton College, 55 Lutz St.
• Aug. 12 between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. – St. Louis Bar & Grill, 1405 Mountain Rd.
• Aug. 12 between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. – H&M, 477 Paul St., Dieppe
• Aug. 12 between 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. – Our Place, 97 Cameron St., Moncton
• Aug. 9, 10, 11, and 12 between 6:45 a.m. and 2 p.m. – Hillsborough Irving, 2799 Main St., Hillsborough
• Aug. 11 between 6:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. – Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre diagnostic imaging waiting room, 330 University Ave.
• Aug.11 between 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. – New Life Pentecostal Church, 65 Dawson Rd., Weldon
• Aug. 11 between 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – Costco, 140 Granite Dr., Moncton
• Aug. 9, 10, and 11 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. – Corn Crib, 337 Mountain Dr., Moncton
• Aug. 11 between 12 a.m. and 2 a.m. – Ioob Lounge Ltd., 127 Robinson St., Moncton
• Aug. 10 between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. – Chris Rock Tavern, 48 Albert St.
• Aug. 9 between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. – Champlain Place, 477 Paul St., Dieppe
• Aug. 9 between  noon and 1 p.m. – Pür & Simple Champlain Place, 477 Paul St., Dieppe

The province also shared possible sites of COVID-19 exposure in the Saint John, Fredericton, and Miramichi regions

Saint John region, Zone 2:

• Aug. 17 and 18 – Fairway Inn and JJ's Diner, 216 Roachville Rd., Sussex
• Aug. 17 between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.– On the Vine Produce, 1350 Hickey Rd., Saint John
• Aug. 17 between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.– Greco, 1350 Hickey Rd., Saint John
• Aug. 16 between 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – Gateway Mall, 138 Main St., Sussex
• Aug. 15 between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.– Costco Wholesale Saint John, 300 Retail Dr., Saint John
• Aug. 14 between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. - MasterMind Toys, 70 Consumers Dr., Saint John
• Aug. 13 between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. - Pet Valu, 30 Plaza Ave., Saint John

Fredericton region, Zone 3:

• Aug. 19 between 12 a.m. and 12 p.m. – Fredericton International Airport, arrivals area, 2570 Route 102 Highway, Lincoln
• Aug. 11, 12, 13, 16, and 17 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. – Springhill Infrastructure Asphalt, 940 Springhill Rd., Fredericton
• Aug. 15 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Grand Falls Cataracts, Baseball Diamond between Chapel Rd and Victoria Rd, Grand Falls
• Aug. 12 between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. – Sobeys, 1180 Prospect St., Fredericton
• Aug. 12 between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Costco Gas Bar and Costco Store, 25 Wayne Squibb Blvd., Fredericton
• Aug. 11 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., Aug. 12 between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore, 350 Connell St., Woodstock
• Aug. 11 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. – McDonald's in Walmart, 1381 Regent St., Fredericton
• Aug. 10 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Coast Tire, 283 Connell St., Woodstock

Miramichi region, Zone 7:

• Aug. 12 between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Walmart, 200 Douglastown Blvd., Miramichi

The full list of possible exposures is updated regularly and is available on the government's website.

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.