N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Atlantic bubble could reopen by late April, Higgs says

New Brunwickers could see the return of the beloved Atlantic bubble by late April.

Premier Blaine Higgs said he spoke with Nova Scotia's Premier Iain Rankin on Monday to discuss when they might open the borders between the two provinces to families and workers, and the conversation "rolled into a discussion of when we thought the Atlantic bubble could be reintroduced."

"We're both thinking that if things stay as they are and continue to improve in our respective provinces, that we'd be looking at some time maybe in late April," Higgs said in an interview Tuesday evening.

They plan to have a conference call with all four Atlantic premiers next week to discuss the bubble and other regional items, he said. 

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Because Newfoundland and Labrador is in the midst of an election, and the voting deadline has once again been extended, a Newfoundland Public Health official will likely be on the call rather than the premier, Higgs said.

"But we really wanted to have Newfoundland included in the discussion ... so we could collectively decide what is the right time."

Aside from the economic benefits of opening up the borders during peak tourism season, the feel-good boost of the bubble is considerable.

"Socially, the benefit is huge," Higgs said. "We have a lot of family members that are connected either with the island or with Nova Scotia or Newfoundland ... we're not stranded, we become more of a region, there's more movement, and people feel better about that. So we're very cognizant of this balancing approach."

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Higgs acknowledged New Brunswick's key role in the bubble as the gateway to – and the gatekeeper of – the Atlantic region.

"Our people have been monitoring our borders and checking traffic, diligently, day and night. They have been the keepers of the Atlantic region, there's no question about it," he said. "Our people have played a key role in protecting the Atlantic bubble, and the potential of the Atlantic bubble reopening."

Higgs stressed that the prospect of a reopened bubble depends on case numbers and the progress of vaccinations, both here and in the other Atlantic provinces, in the weeks ahead.

But he said the signs so far are hopeful.

"There are some factors that are very positive, and I think we can look forward to a shift here for the Atlantic region," he said. 

"Maybe even later in the spring, May or June, we could start looking at possibilities for the rest of Canada. But it's early days and very dependent on the vaccine rollout."

One new death, one new case reported Tuesday

The province has lost another resident to COVID-19, Public Health confirmed Tuesday.

A person between 70 and 79 in the Edmundston region, Zone 4, has died as a result of underlying complications, including COVID-19, the department said in a news release.

This brings the total number of COVID-related deaths in New Brunswick to 29.

The person was a resident of Manoir Belle Vue, an adult residential care home in Edmundston, and died in hospital.

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Public Health also reported one new case Tuesday, and revised the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in the province.

Tuesday's case is an individual 60 to 69 years old in the Bathurst region, Zone 6. The case is travel-related and the person is self-isolating.

A case reported earlier in Zone 3, the Fredericton region, has been listed in the numbers from another province, so has been removed from New Brunswick's case count.

The number of confirmed cases in New Brunswick is 1,460. The total number of recoveries is 1,395.

There have been 29 deaths, and the number of active cases is 35. Three patients are hospital, including two in intensive care. A total of 236,792 cases have been conducted, including 569 since Monday's report.

Cloth masks no longer allowed at Horizon hospitals

Horizon Health Network will no longer allow visitors, patients or staff to wear cloth masks in its hospitals, the health  authority said Tuesday.

Visitors will be provided with a new mask on entering a hospital, Margaret Melanson, the Horizon quality and patient-centred care vice-president said in a memo to staff.

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The change in policy was based on updated guidance from the federal Public Health Agency, Melanson said.

The agency now advises that non-medical masks be used for visitors and asymptomatic patients at all health-care centres, adult residential facilities and nursing homes. Symptomatic patients, patients leaving their rooms, and all hospital staff must wear medical masks.

"We ask that patients and visitors be provided a new mask upon entry to the facility," the agency states.

"A cloth facial covering will no longer be permitted in these facilities for patients, visitors and health care workers alike."

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.