N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 16 new cases, multiple new exposure warnings in several zones

Sixteen new cases of COVID-19, affecting two health zones, were reported in New Brunswick on Wednesday. 

The majority of the new cases are in the Edmundston region, Zone 4, which has 107 of the province's 141 active cases. 

Eleven of the 14 cases reported in the Edmundston region are contacts of a previously confirmed case and three are under investigation. 

Three zones — the Campbellton, Bathurst and Miramichi regions — have no active cases.

• Hospitalization of 3 COVID-19 patients reveals misunderstandings about vaccine

In a news release, Public Health said the 16 new cases break down in this way:

Saint John region, Zone 2, two cases:

• an individual 50-59. This case is travel related.
• an individual 60-69. This case is a contact of a case.

Edmundston region, Zone 4, 14 cases:

• three people 19 and under 
• an individual 20 to 29 
• three people 40 to 49 
• two people 50 to 59 
• three people 60 to 69 
• two people 70 to 79 

The number of confirmed cases in New Brunswick is 1,752. Since Tuesday, seven people have recovered for a total of 1,577 recoveries. There have been 33 deaths, and the number of active cases is 141.

Nineteen patients are hospitalized, including 13 in an intensive care unit. A total of 270,515 tests have been conducted, including 1,259 since Tuesday's report.

Public Health tweaks its COVID-19 dashboard

Sharp-eyed New Brunswickers may have noticed that some information that was previously posted on the province's COVID-19 dashboard is no longer available.

The dashboard, which provides data on COVID-19 cases, testing, vaccines and other related statistics, is a public site that is updated daily.

Earlier this week, under its Vaccine Statistics tab, the "Doses administered this week" section was removed.

On Wednesday, the "Number of doses received" section, referring to doses delivered to the province, was also removed.

• Atlantic bubble postponed until May 3

Asked about the changes on Wednesday, Public Health spokesperson Shawn Berry explained that the "doses administered this week" section was removed because the data "was sometimes lagging by several days."

"Vaccines are being administered in hundreds of locations in the province and the 'administered this week' section is not an accurate reflection," Berry said in an email.

"The total number of people vaccinated with at least one dose is still being reported."

And while the "doses received" section was removed from the Vaccine Statistics tab, that data "continues to be provided on the Vaccine Timetable graphic," Berry said.

MLA calls for return of compassionate care exemptions

Green MLA Megan Mitton is calling for the return of compassionate care exemptions between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia now that the reopening of the Atlantic bubble has been pushed back.

Mitton, who represents the riding of Memramcook-Tantramar on the border with Nova Scotia, made the comments after the Atlantic premiers announced the return of the bubble would be delayed by two weeks.

The bubble was supposed to open on April 19 but is now delayed until at least May 3.

Mitton said that since January, the province hasn't allowed caregivers to cross the border without going into quarantine,  and regardless of the bubble, the premiers should work together to allow crossing the border for compassionate care.

"There are people [whose] caregiver may live 20 kilometres away in Amherst," said Mitton. 

"They live in Sackville and suddenly they lost that care. That was really important to them."

Mitton said the province needs to figure out a way to reopen the Atlantic bubble, and keep it open, even with future outbreaks.

"We know that that is likely to continue to happen in the future, so they need to have a plan, so that the bubble doesn't burst all the time," said Mitton.

Mitton said the loss of the bubble has been tough on her constituents, many of whom are accustomed to travelling across the border regularly.

"People's families have been impacted ... It's hard on people's day to day lives. So many people, you know, live near the Nova Scotia, New Brunswick border and many cross it daily."

Mitton said she's still calling for better communication with residents about the rules and why they're in place.

"The rules have changed constantly and it's been really hard on the people who live here and deal with it daily to figure out 'What am I supposed to be doing,'" said Mitton. 

"There needs to be better communication from government. I've been saying that for a year or so."

More possible exposures

Saint John region:

• March 29 and April 1, Guardian Drugs-Herring Cove Pharmacy (924 Rte. 774, Unit 2, Welshpool, Campobello Island)
• March 31, Service New Brunswick (73 Milltown Blvd., St. Stephen)
• March 31, Giant Tiger (210 King St., St. Stephen)
• March 31, Kent Building Supplies (188 King St., St. Stephen)
• March 31, Carman's Diner (164 King St., St. Stephen)

Edmundston region:

• April 7, 8 and 9, Canada Post (4 Grondin St., Edmundston)
• April 8 and 9 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Fenêtre Unique (130 Rivière à la Truite Rd., Edmundston)
• April 8 and 9, National Bank, (111 de l'Église St., Edmundston)

• April 9 between 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.  –  Shoppers Drug Mart (160 Hébert Blvd., Edmundston)
• April 8 between 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., April 7 between 6:30 a.m and 7:00 a.m., and April 6 between 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.  – Tim Hortons (262 Isidore-Boucher Blvd., St-Jacques)
• April 7 between after 6:00 p.m., April 6 after 6:00 p.m. – Epicerie Chez ti-Marc (256 Isidore-Boucher Blvd., St-Jacques)
• April 7 between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.,  and April 6 between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. – Dollarama (787 Victoria St., Edmundston)
• April 7 between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., and April 6 between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. – NB Liquor, (575 Victoria St., Edmundston)
• April 7 between 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. – Jean Coutu (177 Victoria St., Edmundston)

• April 7 between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Subway (180 Hébert Blvd., Edmundston)
• April 7 between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (577 Victoria St., Edmundston)
• April 6 between 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. – Scotiabank (75 Canada Rd., Edmundston)
• March 26 to April 8 – Napa Auto Parts - (260 Canada St., Edmundston)
• March 20 to April 9, Atlantic Superstore (577 Victoria St., Edmundston)
• April 5 at 11 a.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (160 Hébert Blvd., Edmundston)
• April 1 – Royal Bank (48 Saint-François St., Edmundston)
• March 31 between 12 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – Scotiabank (75 Canada Rd., Edmundston)
• March 30 between 12 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – Scotiabank (75 Canada Rd., Edmundston)
• March 29 between 8:45 a.m. and 4 p.m. – Scotiabank (75 Canada Rd., Edmundston)

Moncton region: 

• April 8 between 4:45 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – COSTCO Wholesale customer service (140 Granite Drive, Moncton)
• April 6 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. – YMCA Vaughan Harvey, (30 War Veterans Ave., Moncton)
• April 4 between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – Moncton Wesleyan Church (945 St. George Blvd., Moncton)
• April 3 between 8:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. – Kelseys Original Roadhouse (141 Trinity Dr., Moncton)
• April 1 between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m., April 3 between 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., April 6 between 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., April 8 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. – CF Champlain (477 Paul St., Dieppe)

Fredericton region:

• March 31 – Murray's Irving Big Stop  (198 Beardsley Rd., Beardsley)

Saint John region:

• April 9 between 2:10 p.m. and 2:40 p.m., GAP Factory East Point, (15 Fashion Dr., Saint John)
• April 9 between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. – McAllister Place, 519 Westmorland Rd., Saint John
• April 8 between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m., – McAllister Place, 519 Westmorland Rd., Saint John
• April 8 between 1:15 p.m. and 2 p.m. – Service New Brunswick, 15 King Square North, Saint John
• April 1 between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – YMCA of Greater Saint John (191 Churchill Blvd., Saint John)

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.