N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 6 new cases confirmed, more vaccines on the way

There are six new cases of COVID-19 in New Brunswick, the chief medical officer of health announced Thursday.

Three of the cases are in the Edmundston region, Zone 4, which remains at the orange level of recovery, while the rest of the province is at the less restrictive yellow level, said Dr. Jennifer Russell.

The province remains "deeply concerned" about the outbreak at the Edmundston Regional Hospital and its potential to spread through the community, said Russell.

Thirteen cases of the respiratory disease have now been confirmed at the hospital, including nine employees and four patients, she said. Thirty-seven employees are self-isolating.

The efforts of hospital staff to treat COVID-19 patients and contain the outbreak have been "heroic," with encouraging results so far, she said.

Russell did not rule out the possibility of the region being moved back to the yellow level in time for the holidays.

She said she's "cautiously optimistic," but that we have to "watch and wait."

For now, she urged area residents to remain vigilant and continue to follow Public Health measures.

"Everyone who wears a mask in public places, practises physical distancing and seeks testing for symptoms, no matter how mild they may seem, is playing a vital role in limiting the scope and duration of this outbreak."

She also encouraged people to reach out to those who will be in isolation over the holidays.

The new cases in the Edmundston region include two people under 19 and one person in their 40s.

There are also two cases in the Moncton region, Zone 1, including one person under 19 and one person in their 60s, and one case in the Saint John region, a person in their 40s.

All of the cases are self-isolating and remain under investigation, Russell said during a COVID-19 update in Fredericton with Premier Blaine Higgs. It is the first update the province has held in six days.

Russell also announced a new confirmed case at Shannex's Tucker Hall nursing home in Saint John. Another employee has tested positive, she said.

That brings the Parkland Saint John outbreak to 20 — eight employees, one non-Shannex employee and 11 residents.

There are now 55 active cases in the province. Three people are in hospital, two of them in intensive care.

New Brunswick has had 573 confirmed cases since the pandemic began in March and 509 people have recovered. Eight people have died from COVID-19 and one person who tested positive also died, but not as a result of COVID-19.

A total of 143,328 tests have been completed to date.

'Regular' vaccine deliveries to start Jan. 11

Premier Blaine Higgs announced new details Thursday about the province's COVID-19 vaccination plans. He said 3,900 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are scheduled to arrive next week.

Half of those will be used to provide a second dose to the 1,950 people getting their first dose this weekend at the Miramichi Regional Hospital from a shipment that came in earlier this week.

It takes two doses of the Pfizer vaccine to immunize someone against the virus. Their second doses will be administered Jan. 9-10.

The remainder of the second shipment will be used to vaccinate 975 people, starting with their first dose at a clinic being organized in Moncton during the week of Dec. 28, where the province now has freezer storage capacity, he said.

"We will be contacting people in the identified priority group soon to begin setting up appointments at this second clinic, including those who are unable to attend the first clinic in Miramichi."

Another 3,900 doses are expected the week of Jan. 4 and the government anticipates "regular deliveries" of the vaccine to begin the week of Jan. 11, Higgs said.

But immunization will take "many months," he advised. "This is going to be a process before enough of the population is vaccinated and we're able to move to the green level."

The goal is to have 75 per cent of the province vaccinated, enough to create herd immunity in the population, Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province's chief medical officer of health, has said.

That could take six to nine months, she said Thursday.

Weekend clinic full

The province "received interest" in attending the clinic from priority groups across the province, including long-term care residents and staff, people 85 and older, staff from the provincial rapid-outbreak management teams, extra-mural, Ambulance New Brunswick staff, health-care workers and First Nations nurses, he said.

Shannex residents and staff in the Miramichi region were invited to attend, as well as residents and staff of other long-term care and adult residential facilities in the Miramichi, Moncton and Bathurst regions.

The clinic is at "100 per cent capacity."

Asked why the province is waiting until Saturday to begin the clinic when the vaccine arrived on Tuesday, Russell said it's because of "logistical and human resource reasons."

Some New Brunswick paramedics, nurses and other health-care workers who were given appointments this weekend were denied time off to attend because of staffing levels and travel times.

Unions and opposition contend the government should have anticipated the problem and should have stepped in to resolve the matter.

CBC News asked Higgs about the situation on Thursday. Russell replied instead, saying the government is trying not to disrupt anybody's need to work.

"We're trying to make sure that health-service delivery is provided at the maximum capacity and not interrupt that. So we're trying to be very, very judicious and balance those things."

Members of the high-priority groups will have "many opportunities" over the next three months to get the vaccine when they're not working, she said.

'Significant step forward in our journey'

Higgs described this weekend's clinic as "a significant step forward in our journey through the COVID-19 pandemic."

He noted it was only about a month ago people were wondering when a vaccine would arrive and now, not only is it arriving, but there are multiple vaccines "on the horizon."

A vaccine by Massachusetts-based Moderna is expected to be available in Canada by the end of the month if it also secures Health Canada approval.

It's unclear when New Brunswick is expected to receive its first shipment of the Moderna vaccine, but once it does, access is expected to improve, said Higgs.

Unlike the Pfizer vaccine, which has to be stored at -80 C and requires special ultra low-temperature freezers, the Moderna vaccine can be stored at -20C.

In the meantime, the province is exploring options to acquire or borrow more freezers so that it can store the vaccine in additional communities, Higgs said.

Several businesses and organizations have already stepped forward to offer equipment and support, including the use of special freezers and fridges, he said. "We are indeed very grateful for the generosity we've seen. This shows and continues to show how, when it really counts, we all come together to do our part."

'Prioritize very carefully'

Until more vaccine becomes available, the province will have to "prioritize very carefully," said Russell.

"Protecting those in greatest need has been our objective throughout this pandemic and this will continue to be our goal in the months ahead."

She expects the vaccine will continue to be distributed to the higher-risk groups for three to six months and then be distributed according to age.

Children under 16 are not considered high-risk and won't be vaccinated in the first or second phases, she said.

It will be "several months" before the vaccine will be available to everyone who wants it, she said. "My understanding, based on information today, is that all those who want to be vaccinated will be able to be vaccinated."

Russell said she plans to wait her turn for the vaccine in accordance with the priority list, which goes by age. "And I'm not going to tell you my age," she joked.

Asked whether she will recommend that the premier, Health Minister Dorothy Shephard and members of the all-party committee be vaccinated early to avoid any continuity-of-government concerns, she said it's possible they might be included as part of the "critical infrastructure group."

Otherwise, they will be vaccinated at the "appropriate time," based on their age.

Positive cases closes Perth-Andover school

A high school in Perth-Andover has closed for two days, after someone tested positive for COVID-19.

Southern Victoria High School announced Thursday morning its classes would move to a "learning from home" format for the rest of the week. 

The school is working with Public Health to identify any more students or staff who may have come in contact with the positive case. 

"We understand you may feel anxious over the coming days," the school said in a statement to parents. 

"Public Health officials will contact you if your child has been in close contact with the confirmed case and will tell you if your child needs to self-isolate." 

The closure comes just before the Christmas break, which means they won't be back in the building until Jan. 4. 

Southern Victoria High School said the person with COVID-19 will not be named.

Christmas caution

New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health offered some advice Thursday for those wondering what to give their loved ones for the holidays this year.

"I suggest that the best gift that you can give is the gift of safety," said Dr. Jennifer Russell.

"Don't let anyone bring COVID-19 to your festive table."

Russell advised against any travel in or out of the province to visit with family or friends. "A pandemic is not a time to travel for non-essential reasons."

She and her counterparts in Nova Scotia, P.E.I. and Newfoundland and Labrador are all "very, very, very, very concerned" about the holiday season and whether it will result in a spike in cases in early January, she said.

Jennifer Russell urges New Brunswickers to follow rules during holidays

4 years ago

Duration 2:51

The province’s chief medical officer says she worries gatherings and non-essential travel could lead to a rise in cases of COVID-19.

If anyone does intend to travel, Russell said they should self-isolate for 14 days before celebrating with others. The most effective and safest way to do that is to stay alone at a rental property or cottage or hotel.

If they're going to be under the same roof with others, it's important they remain in different rooms at all times, not share a bathroom and not eat meals together, she said.

Premier Blaine Higgs said he understands the restrictions will be difficult for those ones with loved ones in other provinces or countries who can't come home to visit.

"I know for me and our family, Christmas won't be the same as it has been in past years," he said. "I have two daughters and their families, one in Ontario and one in Saskatchewan, who will not be coming home."

But now is not the time to give up or lose focus, he said, urging people to continue to follow Public Health measures as the vaccine rollout continues.

"Let's set the tone for the new full year. Let's ensure our new year is full of promise and hope and reinvention as we move beyond COVID and into a bigger, brighter future."

Higgs also encouraged people to shop local, to support businesses that have struggled during the pandemic.

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:

• A fever above 38 C.

• A 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.