N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 4 new cases reported, new exposure warning for gym

Public Health reported four new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday.

The three cases in Zone 1, the Moncton region, include two people in their 20s and a person in their 30s. 

The fourth case is in Zone 3, the Fredericton region, a person in their 20s.

All four people are self-isolating and their cases are under investigation.

Tuesday's report brings the number of active cases in New Brunswick to 32, with half of those in the Moncton region. 

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell urged residents to be "diligent" about reducing risk as numbers rise in the province.

"Jurisdictions all around us are facing lockdowns and record numbers of daily cases," Russell said Tuesday. "If we are diligent about following Public Health measures, getting tested, wearing our masks, spending more time outdoors, limiting our attendance and hosting of gatherings, keeping our close contact numbers as low as possible, we can substantially reduce our risk of experiencing what is happening outside of the Atlantic bubble."

The number of confirmed cases in New Brunswick is 379, and 341 people have recovered. There have been six deaths, and no one is in the hospital. As of Tuesday, 111,420 tests have been conducted, including 326 done on Monday.

Potential exposure identified at Moncton Fit4Less

Also on Tuesday, Public Health identified a potential public exposure at Fit4Less gym, 165 Main St. in Moncton. The dates of potential exposure are as follows:

• November 6, from 8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• November 7, from 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
• November 9, from  8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• November 10, from 8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
• November 11, from 8:30 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.
• November 12, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., 8:30 p.m. – 9:45 p.m & 10:30 p.m. – 11:45 p.m.

People who have visited the facility during these times and dates should self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days, Public Health advises. If any COVID-19 symptoms develop, they are directed to self-isolate and to call 811 to get tested or take the self-assessment online.

Few details on exposure warning at mall

Meanwhile, Public Health is providing few details about a COVID-19 public exposure warning it issued for a shoe store in the province's largest mall.

The warning was directed at anyone who may have visited Aldo Shoes in the CF Champlain Mall in Dieppe over a five-day period between Nov. 6 and 10.

While the length of the exposure time period would suggest that an employee at the store had tested positive, Russell would not confirm that Tuesday.

"I don't want to give any personal information that would compromise somebody's confidentiality," Russell said on Information Morning Fredericton.

Russell would also not confirm whether the individual was wearing a mask, as is required in public places.

The times of potential exposure at the retailer are:

• Nov. 6: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Nov. 7: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Nov. 8: 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Nov. 9: noon to 7:30 p.m.
• Nov. 10: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Russell said it's important to remain vigilant as cases around the globe begin to increase, but the cases New Brunswick has seen so far aren't from large public exposure events such as what could potentially happen at Aldo Shoes.

"Honestly, the transmission that we've seen in our outbreaks include employee to employee in workplace settings where people might be wearing their masks with the public facing work … but sometimes they might not be wearing them behind the scenes," said Russell.

"The other thing is that we are seeing transmission happening again when people are gathering with their family and friends."

Russell said the six cases announced Monday in the Moncton region don't appear to be linked with the shoe store.

"My understanding is that they are either travel-related or they are close contacts of known cases," said Russell.

"But this is an evolving situation, so we're going to keep monitoring and keep gathering more information."

Russell said she believes the risk of exposure is low in this case, but people should monitor themselves for symptoms and get tested, even if they think they only have minor symptoms.

"We know that with the outbreak in Zone 5 and in Zone 1 recently that people with very, very mild symptoms perhaps weren't getting tested," said Russell.

"So one of the messages in terms of the takeaways is that if you have mild symptoms, please get tested."

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.

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