2 more temporary foreign workers from Mexico in Moncton test positive for COVID-19
Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon | CBC News | Posted: August 13, 2020 3:39 PM | Last Updated: August 13, 2020
Latest cases brings total active cases in New Brunswick to 9
There are two new cases of COVID-19 in New Brunswick, both temporary foreign workers from Mexico in the Moncton region, or health Zone 1, Public Health reported Thursday.
The two workers, one 30 to 39 years old and the other 50 to 59, have been in isolation since they arrived in Moncton, according to a news release.
They are not connected to the six other temporary foreign workers from Mexico who have also tested positive in Moncton, said Department of Health spokesperson Bruce Macfarlane.
The two latest cases bring the number of active cases of the respiratory disease in the province to nine.
The other active case, announced Tuesday, is in the Fredericton region (health Zone 3). The individual, aged between 40 and 49, remains in isolation.
A confirmed case in the Fredericton region reported on Wednesday, someone in their 60s, is considered recovered.
Officials suspect that case is travel-related and connected to the other Fredericton case.
Both of the Fredericton cases are still under investigation, but the person in their 60s did not travel, said Macfarlane. It's not yet clear if the person in their 40s did.
The people are relatives, according to Macfarlane. He did not say if they live together.
The older person got tested only after the younger person was diagnosed, said Macfarlane.
Asked whether the older person didn't realize they were sick, or was too sick to get tested, or perhaps reluctant to get tested, Macfarlane declined to comment, citing privacy.
"It is very important that anyone experiencing one or more symptoms of the illness call 811 or their primary health-care provider to get tested," he said in an emailed statement.
Workers continue to isolate
The six initial temporary foreign workers who tested positive were still in isolation in Moncton after arriving in New Brunswick at the time, officials have said.
The first four, announced on Aug. 5, were destined for jobs in Miramichi, Premier Blaine Higgs has said. They are all in their 30s.
As for the other two workers, one is in their 40s and one is in their 50s. No other information about them was released, but one travelled from Cancun.
The workers must continue to self-isolate until they're cleared by Public Health.
New Brunswick has recorded 180 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began in mid-March. Two people have died and 169 have recovered.
On Wednesday, 332 tests were conducted for COVID-19. A total of 55,945 tests have been conducted since the pandemic started.
What to do if you have a symptom
People concerned they might have COVID-19 symptoms can take a self-assessment test on the government website at gnb.ca.
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, new onset of muscle pain, diarrhea, loss of sense of taste or smell, and difficulty breathing. In children, symptoms have also included purple markings on the fingers and toes.
People with one of those symptoms are asked to:
- Stay at home.
- Call Tele-Care 811 or their doctor.
- Describe symptoms and travel history.
- Follow instructions.