N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Masks mandatory in indoor public spaces again, 199 new cases

New Brunswickers will once again be required to wear a mask in all indoor public spaces, starting Tuesday at 11:59 p.m., Premier Blaine Higgs has announced.

It comes as Public Health reported a three-day total of 199 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday.

That includes 75 new cases reported Sunday, a single-day record since the beginning of the pandemic, said Dr. Jennifer Russell.

There are now 484 active cases across the province, she told the COVID-19 briefing.

Twenty-three people are hospitalized, 14 of them in intensive care.

"We need urgent action by all New Brunswickers, regardless of your vaccination status, to slow the spread of COVID-19 virus," Higgs said.

"Until everyone who can be vaccinated has received their full course of shots, we must all take care to avoid catching or transmitting the virus."

Masks will be mandatory in all indoor public spaces, including:

• Public spaces where the public and employees interact, such as retail businesses, malls, service centres, places of worship, and restaurants and bars except while eating.
• Organized indoor gatherings in public spaces, such as weddings and funerals.
• Common areas like lobbies, elevators and hallways, and public shared spaces, including those in the  private sector and government workspaces.
• Public transportation.

Existing mask policies continue to apply in public schools and early childhood learning facilities.

Peace officers will be able to issue fines to people who are not wearing a mask in an indoor public space, Higgs said.

The renewed mask mandate goes into effect at the same time as the proof of vaccination and travel registration requirements announced last week.

Public Health recommended the renewed mask mandate "to keep our people healthy and to protect our health-care system," said Russell.

The change is needed to ensure people can continue to have access to urgent care, intensive care beds, and hospital beds when they need it, she said.

The current cases are creating a strain on nursing staff as well as Public Health teams who are conducting contact tracing.

There are also delays in booking tests because of a "surge" in demand, particularly in the Moncton region, Zone 1, said Russell, asking people to be patient as officials work to "ramp up" capacity.

Higgs noted 152 of the new cases, or 76 per cent, were not fully vaccinated.

And of the 32 people hospitalized in the past month, only three were fully vaccinated, while two were partially vaccinated. The other 27, or 85 per cent, were unvaccinated, he said.

Of these, 21 were 40 to 50 years old. Vaccination rates in the under-50 group are not as high as they need to be, he said. Only about 67 per cent are fully vaccinated.

The province's new target is to have about 90 per cent of New Brunswickers aged 12 or older double-dosed.

A total of 77.8 per cent per cent of eligible New Brunswickers have received both doses of a vaccine, up from 77.5 on Friday, while 86.5 per cent have received at least one dose, up from 86.1.

Since the new measures were announced last Wednesday, more than 6,600 people have booked an appointment to receive a first or second dose, said Higgs.

"I am indeed pleased by this, and I am hopeful we will see the vaccination rates continue to rise in the days and weeks ahead, hopeful that we'll be able to have a short term in the current regulation requirements. But right now we must do all that we can."

'I'd certainly do the same thing again': Higgs says he doesn't regret lifting restrictions during the summer

3 years ago

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Premier Blaine Higgs and Chief Medical Officer of Health Jennifer Russell provided a COVID-19 update on Monday, announcing that masks will once again become mandatory in indoor public spaces.

He said he realizes the return of the health and safety measures may feel like the province is taking a step backward.

"But we must look at our current situation and consider what will happen if we do nothing. All of these measures, combined will play an important role in slowing the spread of COVID-19 and protecting our health-care system."

He stands by the province's decision to move to the green phase of recovery on July 30 and lift all restrictions before it reached its original target to have 75 per cent of the eligible population fully vaccinated, he said.

It was made "based on science and availability of information and where we were trending, and in balancing the view of the public having a chance to experience New Brunswick again … to see their families, and the mental health issues that were kind of surfacing as a result of changes and exposures that they weren't having with family, friends and neighbours."

The province was also expecting vaccination rates to continue to increase, but they "dropped right off," which was a "disappointment," he said.

He acknowledged that "also may have been an indication they felt, 'OK, well, I don't need to get vaccinated now that we're in green.' So that had an unintended consequence. But I think at this stage, given the facts, I'd certainly do the same thing again.

"And I think a lot of people benefited from what they experienced over the summer period."

When the province moved to the green phase from yellow, it removed the requirement to wear masks, lifted all limits on gatherings, and ended provincial border restrictions.

Asked Monday whether the government considered doing more than reinstating the mask, such as moving the province back to the yellow phase of recovery, Higgs replied, "We will act in any way necessary to to bring this under control and bring it back down."

"That could include any of the restrictions that we had in the past."

Breakdown of new cases

The 199 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed Friday are spread across every health zone in the province. Here is a breakdown:

Moncton region, Zone 1, 46 cases:

• Eight people 19 or under
• Nine people 20 to 29
• Five people 30 to 39
• Eight people 40 to 49
• Seven people 60 to 69
• Four people 70 to 79
• Two people 80 to 89
• Three people 90 and over

Thirty-two of these cases are under investigation and 14 are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Saint John region, Zone 2, six cases:

• Two people 19 or under
• A person 30 to 39
• A person 50 to 59
• A person 60 to 69
• A person 70 to 79

Two of these cases are under investigation and four cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Fredericton region, Zone 3, 69 cases:

• 19 people 19 or under
• Eight people 20 to 29
• Two people 30 to 39
• Eight people 40 to 49
• 11 people 50 to 59
• 14 people 60 to 69
• Four people 70 to 79
• Three people 80 to 89.

Forty-four of these cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases and 25 are under investigation.

Edmundston region, Zone 4, 29 cases:

• 11 people 19 or under
• Seven people 20 to 29
• Three people 30 to 39
• A person 40 to 49
• Two people 50 to 59
• Two people 70 to 79
• Three people 80 to 89

Fifteen of these cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases and 14 are under investigation.

Campbellton region, Zone 5, 35 cases:

• 14 people 19 or under
• 12 people 20 to 29
• Four people 30 to 39
• A person 40 to 49
• Three people 50 to 59
• A person 70 to 79

Seventeen of these cases are under investigation, 17 are contacts of previously confirmed cases and one case is travel-related.

Bathurst region, Zone 6, 13 cases:

• Three people 19 or under
• A person 20-29
• Two people 30-39
• Four people 40-49
• Three people 60-69

Eight of these cases are under investigation and five are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Miramichi region, Zone 7, one case:

• A person 70-79

This case is under investigation.

The hospitalizations are spread across six of the seven zones, said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health.

The Moncton region has five patients, the Saint John region has one, the Fredericton region six, the Edmundston region seven, Campbellton region three, Bathurst region one, and Miramichi region none.

New Brunswick has had 3,436 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, with 2,903 recoveries so far and 48 COVID-related deaths.

A total of 437,783 tests have been conducted to date.

New cases in schools, daycares

Positive cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in schools in four zones, according to a Public Health news release and notices to parents from the Anglophone West School District.

People who have been in close contact with a case will be notified directly by Public Health for contact tracing.

In the Moncton region, Zone 1, a positive case was confirmed at each of the following schools: École Saint-Henri, Port Elgin Regional School, Birchmount School and Harrison Trimble High School in Moncton, and Tantramar Regional High School in Sackville, Public Health said.

In addition, a positive case was confirmed at each of the following early learning and child care facilities in Moncton: Sonshine Kids Academy and the Greater Moncton School of Discovery Afterschool.

In the Edmundston region, Zone 4, a positive case was confirmed at each of the following schools: John Caldwell School in Grand Falls and Carrefour de la Jeunesse in Edmundston. Positive cases were also confirmed at École Mgr-Lang in Drummond and Polyvalente Alexandre-J.-Savoie in Saint-Quentin.

In the Campbellton region, Zone 5, a new case was confirmed at Galion des Appalaches in Campbellton.

Under New Brunswick's Healthy and Safe Schools guidelines, schools with cases will close or move to online learning for at least one calendar day to support contact tracing, risk assessments and operational responses.

In response to the high number of cases impacting schools in the Perth-Andover community in the Fredericton region, Zone 3, a testing program for high school students who have not been able to book a test through a COVID-19 assessment centre is being set up at Southern Victoria High School, the release said.

These tests are self-administered and if a positive result occurs from the rapid test, a PCR test conducted through an assessment centre will be done to confirm the result.

Additional positive COVID-19 cases were confirmed Monday at all three schools in Perth-Andover — Andover Elementary School, Perth-Andover Middle School and Southern Victoria High School, according to a notice to parents and guardians from Anglophone West superintendent David McTimoney.

Anyone required to self-isolate will receive a letter from Public Health with specific instructions on what to do next, said McTimoney. School principals, vice-principals or classroom teachers were expected to send the letters via email Monday night, he advised.

"If you are not contacted, your child can continue with regular activities unless they are already self-isolating as advised by Public Health," wrote McTimoney.

The transportation manager was to send letters "with a similar message" to families of students on impacted buses Monday night, he said.

"Due to the number of cases in our Perth-Andover schools and our wish to continue learning safely and consistently, we will maintain distance learning for all students until Friday, September 24, inclusive."

McTimoney also announced new positive cases at Carleton North High School, John Caldwell School, and Meduxnekeag Consolidated School.

All three schools will move to distance learning on Tuesday, but students should plan to return to school on Wednesday, he said.

If a child is showing any symptoms of COVID-19, parents and guardians are advised to register them online for a test or to contact Tele-Care 811. The 811 operators will evaluate the child before sending them for testing.

Finalizing plans for 3rd doses for immunocompromised

The province is finalizing its plans for third doses of COVID-19 vaccines for immunocompromised people in light of new guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, also known as NACI, the chief medical officer of health said last week.

"We have been working on that behind the scenes, so more to follow," Dr. Jennifer Russell told CBC News on Sept. 15.

"We were waiting for NACI to make their recommendations and we're prepared to start rolling that out very, very soon. We're just finalizing all those operational things this week."

The national advisory body on vaccines now recommends giving third doses of COVID-19 vaccines to certain immunocompromised individuals but still hasn't reached a decision on whether to provide additional shots to the broader population.

The recommendations from NACI, released Sept. 10, stipulate that moderately to severely immunocompromised Canadians should be vaccinated with a primary series of three doses of an authorized mRNA-based vaccine, which includes those from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.

For those who have already had a two-dose series, NACI recommends providing a third dose, ideally of an mRNA vaccine — but the committee stressed this should not be considered a "booster."

The goal is to provide an extra shot to people who "may have somewhat lower responses to their first vaccinations," chair Dr. Shelley Deeks had explained.

Some other jurisdictions, such as Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Alberta, Yukon and Manitoba are already offering additional shots for certain vulnerable populations, including immunocompromised individuals, transplant recipients, cancer patients and residents of various care homes.

Manitoba has also joined Saskatchewan and Quebec in offering extra rounds of mRNA shots to people who want to travel to countries that may not recognize mixed-vaccination status.

Outbreaks at nursing homes worry association

The New Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes representing 71 licensed nursing homes in the province is growing concerned about the safety of its residents as outbreaks spread through its homes in the province. 

Michael Keating, the interim director of the association, said at least eight nursing homes have experienced an outbreak in the last three weeks. 

"Quite frankly, we're very concerned," he told Information Morning Moncton. 

Most recently, families were notified this weekend of 10 positive cases of COVID-19 in the Drew Nursing Home in Sackville. Staff and residents were tested over the weekend.

All of the residents have been fully vaccinated and their symptoms are mild, Keating said. He wasn't sure if all the staff had been vaccinated.

Keating said staffing has been a problem at the nursing homes experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks, with some employees unable to work and calling in sick. 

He said staffing normally drops by about 30 per cent when an outbreak is declared. 

"It has put certain pressures on administration," he said. 

He said the Department of Social Development provided assistance Saturday and Sunday at the Drew home.

"The nursing home is quite thankful for that because it allowed more care to be provided," said Keating. 

Keating said the nursing home association is meeting today to talk about building a replacement worker bank. The worker bank could include retired nurses and directors of nursing, he said.

Mental health of health-care workers weakening, says doctor

The fourth wave of COVID-19 has been unrelenting for health-care workers in New Brunswick and across the country. 

And health-care workers' mental health is suffering because of it, says Dr. Katherine Smart, the president of the Canadian Medical Association.

"I've been hearing, for the last few weeks, from many health-care professionals all across the country just about how difficult this fourth wave has been for them," Smart told Information Morning Fredericton. 

She said there are a lot of mental health programs for health-care workers in Canada, but she wants it acknowledged  that their mental state is often impacted by the system. 

There's been a lack of funding from different levels of government, Smart said.

"That's led to these systems that are cracked and broken that they're trying to work within," she said.

Smart said people have worked tirelessly since the beginning of the pandemic to care for patients. But the fourth wave is different since hospitals are mostly being filled with unvaccinated patients in a time when vaccines are largely available to the general public. 

"I think that reality is very challenging for people in health care right now," she said.  

Anti-vaccination protests held across the country in front of hospitals are very concerning and "demoralizing" for health-care professionals. 

"They're working around the clock to try and save people's lives and provide exceptional care," said Smart. 

She said she's heard from health-care workers who say they've been disturbed to see patients harassed and unable to access necessary care because of the protests.  

The delta variant continues to cause havoc in the health-care system and has made health officials realize more people need to be vaccinated than the initial recommended 75 per cent of the population.  

Smart said this fourth wave has been harder to face, because it isn't what was expected.

"We had this feeling of 'OK, we've made it to the other side of this, the worst is over.'"

Riverview announces proof of vaccination plans

The Town of Riverview is advising people to allow extra time to enter its indoor recreation programs and facilities, as proof of COVID-19 vaccination verification is expected to "cause some delays."

Starting Tuesday at 11:59 p.m., people aged 12 and older will be required to show their record of immunization or medical exemption certificate and a government issued identification to access the programs and facilities.

This follows the province's announcement last Wednesday that proof of vaccination will be required to access certain New Brunswick businesses, services and events.

Town staff or designates will verify a record of immunization or medical exemption certificate and government-issued identification when a person enters a program or facility, the town said in a news release Monday. Without the required records, visitors will not be permitted entry.

"For recurring Town of Riverview programs, verification will be noted on your registration profile so that you will not be required to produce your records more than once," the release said.

But the town recommends people have a copy of their record of immunization they can easily access, such as on their smartphone or a photocopy in their wallet, in case a provincial inspector requests to see it.

People who are no longer able to continue to participate in a program are asked to contact the department of parks, recreation and community relations by Sept. 24 at 4:30 p.m. for a full refund at recadmin@townofriverview.ca, or 506-387-2024.

"The Town of Riverview will be in contact with all regular user groups, rentals and associations to review the impacts and expectations of this additional safeguard," the release said.

New exposure notices 

Public Health has identified new places in the province where people could have been exposed to COVID-19. 

Fredericton region, Zone 3: 

• Sept.12 between 10 a.m. and noon and between 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Calvary Tabernacle (12 Legion St., Perth-Andover)
• Sept. 12 between noon and 6 p.m. – Scott's Your Independent Grocer (24 Columbus St., Perth-Andover)
• Sept. 13 between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. – Scott's Your Independent Grocer (24 Columbus St., Perth-Andover)
• Sept. 11 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. – Scott's Your Independent Grocer (24 Columbus St., Perth-Andover)

Edmundston region, Zone 4:

• Sept. 17 between 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. – Jean-Daigle Centre (85 15-Aout Rd., Edmundston)
• Sept. 17 between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Plaso Dent (391 Front Rd., Grand Falls)
• Between Sept. 9 and 17 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. – OK Tire (5 Mgr Martin Ouest Rd., Saint-Quentin)
• Sept.16 between 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Auberge Évasion de Rêves (11 Canada Rd., Saint-Quentin)
• Sep. 14 and 15 between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Big John Gym (11 St-Jean Baptiste Rd., Kedgwick)
• Sept. 14 between 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Resto Pub Sportif (132 Canada Rd., Saint-Quentin)
• Sept. 14 between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. – Pizza Delight (115 Canada Rd., Saint-Quentin)
• Sept. 14 between 12:45 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (344 Canada Rd., Saint-Quentin)
• Sept. 11 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)

Bathurst region, Zone 6:

• Sept. 13 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. – CCNB-Bathurst Campus (75 Youghall Dr., Bathurst)
• Sept. 12 and 13 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. – Canadian Tire (520 St. Peter Ave., Bathurst)
• Sept. 12 between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. – Cast & Crew (588 St. Anne St., Bathurst)

Atlantic COVID roundup

Nova Scotia reported a three-day total of 55 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, bringing the province's active number of cases to 129.

Newfoundland and Labrador reported 15 new cases and has 46 active cases.

Prince Edward Island reported three new cases on Sunday, for a total of 47 active cases.

Previous exposure notices

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

• Sept.14 – Air Canada Flight 8502 – from Montreal to Fredericton departed at 1:25 p.m.
• Sept. 8 – Air Canada Flight 8790 – from Montreal to Saint John departed at 7:53 p.m.
• Sept. 5 – Air Canada Flight 8502 – from Montreal to Fredericton departed at 1:59 p.m.
• Sept. 4 – Air Canada Flight 8502 – from Montreal to Fredericton departed at 1:58 p.m. 

Public Health has also identified other places in the province where people may have been exposed to the virus over the past two weeks.

Moncton region, Zone 1:

• Sept. 13 between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.– Miss Cue (459 Mountain Rd., Moncton)
• Sept. 12 between noon and 2 p.m. – Centennial Park playground (811 St. George Blvd., Moncton)
• Sept. 11 between 1:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. –  A & C Convenience Store laundromat (369 McLaughlin Rd., Moncton)
• Sept. 10 between 9 p.m. and midnight – Daquiri Smokehouse (3 Acadie Rd., Bouctouche)
• Sept. 10 between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Pirate de la Mer (10 Industrielle Rd., Bouctouche)
• Sept. 10 between 1:30 p.m. and midnight – P'tit Pub du Tchè (40 Irving Blvd., Bouctouche)
• Sept. 10 between 10:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. – Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre Emergency Room (330 Université Ave, Moncton)
• Sept. 10 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. – McDonald's (420 Paul St., Dieppe)
• Sept. 9 and 10 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. – Supercuts (45 Plaza Blvd., Moncton)
• Sept. 9 between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. – Swiss Chalet (80 Champlain St., Dieppe)
• Sept. 8 between 7 p.m. and 2 a.m. – Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre Emergency Room (330 Université Ave, Moncton)
• Sept. 8 between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Moncton Golf & Country Club clubhouse (212 Coverdale Rd., Riverview)
• Sept. 8 between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Supercuts (45 Plaza Blvd., Moncton)
• Sept. 8 between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. – Golf Town (52 Wyse St., Moncton)
• Sept. 8 between 7:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre outpatient clinic (330 Université Ave, Moncton)
• Sept. 8 and September 7 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. – MacDonald Buick GMC Cadillac (111 Baig Blvd. Moncton)
• Sept. 7 between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. – TH Sports Group, Sports Complex (184 Barker St., Moncton)
• Sept. 7 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. - Supercuts (45 Plaza Blvd., Moncton)
• Sept. 6 between 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Pizza Delight (526 Main St., Shediac)
• Sept. 6 between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Club Chasse et Pêche Haute-Aboujagne (326 Aboujagne Rd., Haute-Aboujagne)
• Sept. 5 between 10:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. – Casino New Brunswick (21 Casino Dr., Moncton)
• Sept. 5 between midnight and 2 a.m. – Second Floor Nightclub (837 Main St., Moncton)
• Sept. 5 between 2 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. – Mama's Restaurant (806 Main St., Moncton)
• Sept. 5 between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. – Shediac Market (10 Weldon St., Shediac)
• Sept. 4 between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. - Cosmo dance night club (837 Main St., Moncton)
• Sept. 4 between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. – Walmart (477 Paul St., Dieppe)
• Sept. 4 between 7:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. – Dieppe Market (232 Gauvin St., Dieppe)
• Sept. 4 between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – Kelsey's Restaurant (141 Trinity Dr., Moncton)
• Sept. 4 between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Nita's Bar and Grill (1999 Mountain Rd., Moncton)
• Sept. 4 between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – Champlain Mall (477 Paul St., Dieppe)
• Sept. 3 between 7:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – Café Cognito (581 Main St., Moncton)
• Sept. 3 between 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. – Dieppe Market (232 Gauvin St., Dieppe) 

Saint John region, Zone 2:

• Sept. 12 between 9:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. and between 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. – Abundant Life United Pentecostal Church (488 Main St., Sussex)
• Sept. 11 between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Canadian Tire (138 Main St., Sussex)
• Sept. 9 between 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. – Dollarama (286 Main St., Sussex)
• Sept. 8 between 11 a.m. and noon – Starbucks (15 Depot Ct., Saint John)
• Sept. 8 between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – Starbucks (641 Harding St., Saint John)
• Sept. 8 between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Starbucks (30 Lacey St., Rothesay)
• Sept. 8 between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Dollarama (101 McAllister Dr., Saint John)
• Sept. 7 between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Walmart (450 Westmorland Rd., Saint John)
• Sept. 7 between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Superstore (168 Rothesay Ave., Rothesay)
• Sept. 5 between 10:30 a.m. and noon – Full Gospel Assembly (34 Mount Pleasant Ave. E, Saint John)
• Sept. 4 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Old Navy (90 Consumers Dr., E Saint John)
• Sept. 4 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Java Moose Coffee (519 Westmorland Rd., Saint John)
• Sept. 1 between 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Costco (300 Retail Dr., Saint John)

Fredericton region, Zone 3: 

• Sept. 10 between 8:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. – Acorn Restaurant (10 Route 635, Lake George)
• Sept. 9 between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. – Jimmy Flynn concert Capital Exhibit Centre (361 Smythe St., Fredericton)
• Sept. 8 between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. – Turning Point Pentecostal Church (2031 Route 3, Harvey)
• Sept. 8 between noon and 5 p.m. – Kings Landing (5804 Route 102, Prince William)
• Sept. 7 between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. – Northeast Christian College – Opening Service (128 River St., Fredericton)
• Sept. 7 between 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. – Northeast Christian College – Dinner (128 River St., Fredericton)
• Sept. 4 between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. – Subway (Unit 3, F. Tribe Rd., Perth-Andover)
• Sept. 4 between 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Upper Miramichi Rural Community Park (6094 Route 8, Boiestown)
• Sept. 3 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. – Tobique Youth Center (268 Main St., Tobique First Nations)
• Sept. 1, 2, 3, and Aug. 30 and 31 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. – Goodine Insurance (126 Ford Rd., Perth-Andover)
• Sept. 3 between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Guardian Johnson Drug (16F. Tribe Rd., Perth-Andover)
• Sept. 3 between 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – TCBY Yogurt (121 Route 550, Hartford)
• Sept. 2 between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – Swiss Chalet (961 Prospect St., Fredericton)
• Sept. 2 between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Princess Auto (21 Trinity Ave., Fredericton)
• Sept. 2 between 6:30 p.m. and 7:10 p.m. – Wetmore Street Pub (530 New Maryland Highway, New Maryland

Edmundston Region, Zone 4:

• Sept. 11 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Grand Falls Farmers' Market (68 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 11 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sept. 10 between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)

• Sept. 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, and 10 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. – Merritt Press (208 Main St., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 9 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 8 and 9 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. – CCNB – Edmundston campus (35, rue du 15 août, Edmundston)
• Sept. 8 and 9 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. – UMCE Université de Moncton, Edmundston campus  (165 Hébert Blvd., Edmundston)
• Sept. 8 between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Le Grand-Saut (155 Broadway Bd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 8 between 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – Jean Coutu (276 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
• September 8 between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. –  A&A Ouellette Entreprise Ltd (1423 Tobique Rd., Drummond)
• Sept. 7 between 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 5 between 4: p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – Foodland (535 Everard H. Daigle Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 5 between 9:30 a.m. and noon – St. Patrick Catholic Church (2154 Route 130, Limestone Siding)
• Sept. 4 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Burger King (100 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 3 between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 3 between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Canadian Tire (383 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 3 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. – Town Hall [Public Health Office, Mental Health Office, Social Development, Library, Police Office, Town Planning Office] (131 Pleasant Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 2 between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Theriault and Morin Dentist (148 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)

Campbellton region, Zone 5:

• Sept. 12 and Sept. 11 between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. – Tim Hortons (75 Roseberry St., Campbellton)
• Sept. 10 between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m.  – Tap's Bar (42 Water St., Campbellton)
• Sept. 8 and 9 between 5 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.  – Gym Fitness (384 Dover St., Campbellton)
• Sept. 8 and 9 between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.  – CCNB – Campbellton (47 Village Ave., Campbellton)
• Sept. 7 between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.  – Atlantic Superstore (25 Savoie Ave., Atholville)
• Sept. 7 between 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. – Restigouche Walk-In Clinic (68 Water St., Campbellton)
• Sept. 7 between 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.  – Salon de Coiffure Cheveux Modern Hair (59 Water St., Campbellton)
• Sept. 6 between noon and 3:30 p.m.  – Super 8 Hotel (Reception and Pool) (26 Duke St., Campbellton)
• Sept. 6 between 11 a.m. and noon  – Dairy Queen (84 Notre Dame St., Atholville)
• Sept. 5 between 2:45 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. – North Shore Cinema (52 Roseberry St., Campbellton)
• Sept. 4 and 5 – Life Church (198 Roseberry St., Campbellton)
• Sept. 4 between 7 p.m. and midnight – Balmoral Community Centre (21 Centre Rd., Balmoral)
• Sept. 4 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.  – Atlantic Superstore (25 Savoie Ave., Atholville)
• Sept. 4 – Restigouche Golf and Country Club (30565 McLeods Rte. 134, Campbellton)
• Sept. 3 between noon and 1 p.m.  – Chez Kim Restaurant (65 Water St., Campbellton)
• Sept. 3 between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.  – Life Church (198 Roseberry St., Campbellton)
• Sept. 2 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.  – Atlantic Superstore (25 Savoie Ave., Atholville) 

Acadie-Bathurst region, Zone 6:

• Sept. 10 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.. – Pur & Simple (930 St. Anne St., Bathurst)
• Sept. 8 between 8 a.m. and noon – CCNB – Bathurst Campus, Main Building (725 Collège Rd., Bathurst)
• Sept. 4 between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Studio Olympus (1079 Principale Rd., Beresford)
• Sept. 2 between 10 p.m. and 12:15 a.m. – Dooly's (426 B St., Tracadie-Sheila) 

Miramichi region, Zone 7:

• Sept. 11 between noon and 1 p.m. – Fundy Line Restaurant (869 King George Highway, Miramichi)
• Sept. 10 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. – River Signs (2311 King George Highway, Miramichi)
• Sept. 8 and 9 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. – River Signs (2311 King George Highway, Miramichi)
• Sept. 9 between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. – Jungle Jim's Restaurant (2441 King George Highway, Miramichi)
• Sept. 8 between 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Cali.Co. Café (1 Allan St., 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.