N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Vaccination rates rise, 5 new cases

New Brunswick continues to move closer to its vaccination goal. 

A total of 76.1 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 17.6 per cent have received their second dose. 

Public Health set the target to have 75 per cent of New Brunswickers aged 12 and up fully vaccinated before the province can move to the green phase of reopening. 

The goal is to reach the target by Aug. 2, but Premier Blaine Higgs said last week he doesn't think it will take that long. 

55 active cases

New Brunswick Public Health reported five new cases of COVID-19 Saturday. 

Three of the new cases are in the Fredericton region, Zone 3, and the other two are in the Saint John region, Zone 2. 

Here's a breakdown of the new cases:

In the Saint John region:

• Two people 40 to 49.

One case is travel-related and the other is a contact of a previously confirmed case.

In the Fredericton region:

• A person 19 and under.
• A person 30 to 39.
• A person 90 and over. 

All three cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

There are now 55 active cases of COVID:

• Moncton region (Zone 1): 3.
• Saint John region: 2.
• Fredericton region: 29.
• Edmundston region (Zone 4): 1.
• Campbellton region (Zone 5): 0.
• Bathurst region (Zone 6): 19.
• Miramichi region (Zone 7): 1.

Six people are hospitalized in the province, including two in intensive care.

Public Health has revised the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in New Brunswick because the lab determined a case previously identified in the Moncton region was a false positive.

New Brunswick has had 2,316 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, with 2,215 recoveries so far and 45 COVID-related deaths. 

A total of 356,429 tests had been conducted, including 708 on Friday.

Latest public exposure

Public Health has identified a potential public exposure to the virus in the Fredericton region:

• Holy Rosary Church Hall, 26 Father Dysart Lane, Minto, June 15 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• Pentecostal Gospel Lighthouse Church, 283 Slope Road, Minto, June 6 to June 18.

Public Health is offering COVID-19 testing to anyone who has been in a public exposure area, even if they are not experiencing any symptoms. Residents may request a test online or call Tele-Care 811.

People experiencing one or more symptoms are also encouraged to get tested.

Previous public exposures

Public Health has identified numerous potential public exposures to the coronavirus in many communities across the province, so many that it has stopped listing them individually in its daily news release.

A detailed list of the potential exposures, including the locations and dates, is available on the government's COVID-19 website. It is updated regularly.

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:

• Fever above 38 C.

• 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.