N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 40 new cases, outbreaks grow in First Nations
Hadeel Ibrahim, Miriam Lafontaine | CBC News | Posted: November 15, 2021 11:32 AM | Last Updated: November 15, 2021
Outbreak management teams have been sent to help deal with cases and contact tracing
Forty new cases of COVID-19 were reported in New Brunswick on Monday.
Forty-nine people have recovered from the illness, bringing the total number of active cases in the province to 525, Public Health said.
Twenty-one people with COVID-19 are in hospital, including 14 in intensive care. The province didn't provide a breakdown on how many were unvaccinated and vaccinated.
No one under the age of 19 is in hospital.
Public Health said 86.7 per cent of New Brunswickers over the age of 12 are fully vaccinated, up from 86.6 per cent since the last update, and 93.1 per cent have received their first dose, which is unchanged.
More than two-thirds of the cases were reported in parts of the Moncton and Miramichi regions that are still under circuit-breaker measures, the province says.
"I understand that people are tired and frustrated, but we really need residents of these areas to follow the public health measures and isolate when they are experiencing two or more symptoms of COVID-19 so that we can bring the situation back under control," said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health, in a statement.
Breakdown of new cases
The 40 cases of COVID-19 were reported across four health regions, with the highest number in the Moncton region.
The new cases break down this way:
Moncton region, Zone 1, 21 cases:
- Four people 19 and under
- Five people 20 to 29
- Six people 30 to 39
- Two people 40 to 49
- Two people 50 to 59
- One person 70 to 79
- Ane person 80 to 89
Thirteen cases remain under investigation, and eight are contacts of previously confirmed cases.
Saint John region, Zone 2, seven cases:
- Three people 19 and under
- A person 40 to 49
- Two people 50 to 59
- A person 70 to 79
Two cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases, four are under investigation. One is related to travel.
Fredericton region, Zone 3, six cases:
- Three people 19 and under
- A person 40 to 49
- Two people 50 to 59
Five cases are under investigation and one is a contact of a previously confirmed case.
Miramichi region, Zone 7, six cases:
- Three people 19 and under
- A person 20 to 29
- A person 30 to 39
- A person 50 to 59
One case is under investigation, while five are contacts of previously confirmed cases.
Cases confirmed at 7 daycares
There have been confirmed cases at seven child-care facilities since Friday. These include:
- Just Kids Daycare Centre (Miramichi region)
- Cedar Brook Early Learning Centre of Excellence (Fredericton region)
- Garderie l'Étoile Filante in Zone 4 (Edmundston region)
- YMCA Day Care and Kiddies Kollege (Fredericton region)
- Go Go After School Island View School (Saint John region)
- Northend Learning Center (Moncton region)
- Petitcodiac Boys and Girls Club (Moncton region).
"Affected families have been notified," the province wrote. "If you are not notified directly, you have not been identified as a close contact."
A total of 76 early learning and child-care facilities in the province have had confirmed cases of COVID-19 since Sept. 7.
Outbreaks in 7 First Nation communities
Sitansisk, also known as St. Mary's First Nation, is the seventh First Nation to have an outbreak of COVID-19 since Friday.
A notice posted by Chief Allan Polchies on Sunday says there are 13 COVID-19 cases in the community in Fredericton, and one band member is in hospital.
The notice says the cases are all connected, but the Provincial Rapid Outbreak Management Team will be in the community to help with the response. The notice also asks people to limit contacts, avoid large gatherings and maintain physical distancing.
"Chief and council ask that members be sympathetic and show compassion for anyone who may have contracted the virus," the statement says.
The other First Nations where outbreaks have been declared are:
- Welamukotuk (Oromocto First Nation): 15 cases, outbreak declared Nov. 12.
- Woodstock First Nation: 16 cases, outbreak declared Nov. 12.
- Metepenagiag (Red Bank First Nation): Two confirmed cases, outbreak declared Nov. 13.
- Natoaganeg (Eel Ground First Nation): Four confirmed cases, outbreak declared Nov. 13.
- Esgenoôpetitj (Burnt Church First Nation): Eight confirmed cases, outbreak declared Nov. 13.
- Kingsclear First Nation: Six confirmed cases, outbreak declared Nov. 14.
Elsipogtog First Nation confirmed two cases of COVID-19 in the community in a Facebook post Monday.
The community's chief and council said the cases were detected through rapid tests.
The Elsipogtog School will be closed for the rest of the week as a precaution.
"Note that as most of the community has been vaccinated, the Elsipogtog Health Wellness Centre and COVID Response Team believe that risk to the community is minimal and that positive cases can be adequately and safely contained."
Booster eligibility
Members of a First Nation are eligible for a third dose of an mRNA vaccine if six months have passed since their second dose of a vaccine. Some communities have already been holding booster shot clinics and are working on vaccinating the remaining members of the community who haven't had two doses.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization, the body that provides advice to the Public Health Agency of Canada, says Indigenous adults should be prioritized because they experience an increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 and have limited health-care options.
Officials are asking people to answer their phone if it says "unknown caller" because it could be a contact tracing call.
Moncton COVID-19 testing centre moving
The COVID-19 assessment centre in the Moncton Coliseum will be reopening in a new location, Horizon said in an alert Monday.
Starting on Wednesday it will relocate to 380 MacNaughton Avenue in the Caledonia Industrial Park, also the site of the former Distribution Brunet Inc. building.
The testing site is drive-through only, and appointments are required in advance, the health networked added.
The pickup location for rapid screening tests has also moved to 548 Mountain Road.
Public exposure notices
The province shared new public exposure notices Monday. Many were concentrated at one McDonald's in Saint John.
The new exposure sites include:
Moncton region, Zone 1:
- Nov. 5, 6, 12, and 13 between 10:30 p.m. and 3 a.m. – Cassi Lounge and Bar (212 George St., Moncton)
- Nov. 12 between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. – Sobeys (477 Paul St., Dieppe)
Saint John region, Zone 2:
- Nov. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – McDonald's (111 McAllister Dr., Saint John)
Fredericton region, Zone 3:
- Nov. 10 between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – Cannon's Cross Pub (15 Riverside Dr., Fredericton)
Miramichi region, Zone 7:
- Nov. 8 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Miramichi Provincial Court (673 King George Highway, Miramichi)
Earlier notices of potential exposures can be found on the provincial government's website.
People who have not been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to a possible exposure and who have symptoms should get a COVID lab test. They can book an appointment online or call Tele-Care 811 and must isolate while waiting for their test result.
People who are not fully vaccinated and do not have symptoms are now being instructed to pick up an At-Home COVID-19 Rapid Point of Care Test (Rapid POCT) screening kit. They do not need to isolate if they have not been directed by Public Health to do so.
All positive point-of-care test results must be confirmed with a laboratory polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, test.
It can take up to 14 days to test positive after being exposed to COVID-19, so even if results come back negative, people should continue to self-monitor for any symptoms and get tested immediately if any develop.
They should also avoid visiting settings with vulnerable populations, such as nursing homes, correctional facilities and shelters during that 14-day period.
For people who have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to a possible exposure, Public Health recommends they monitor for symptoms for 14 days after the possible exposure and get a COVID lab test if symptoms develop.
They do not need to isolate while they wait for their test results.
If they do not have symptoms, they can pick up a rapid test kit and do not need to isolate.
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.