Screen grab courtesy of CPAC.
Public Health announced 18 new cases of COVID-19 were found in New Brunswick Friday.
Eight of the new cases were in the Saint John region, seven in the Fredericton region, two more in the Edmundston health zone, and one in the Campbellton area.
There are currently 143 active cases, the highest total since the pandemic began. No patients are currently in the hospital with COVID-19 in New Brunswick.
At a press briefing Friday afternoon, Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province’s chief medical officer of health, said there were two more cases confirmed at Shannex Tucker Hall in Saint John, bringing the total to 20.
Each region of the province remains in the orange phase of COVID-19 recovery.
Outbreak at adult-residential facility and school
The province declared an outbreak at Foyer Ste-Elizabeth, a 50 bed nursing home in Baker Brook, near Edmundston.
A positive case was identified in the home on Thursday, and contact tracing has begun to gauge the spread of the virus. Staff and residents were tested Friday.
Students at Bessborough School in Moncton attended classes remotely Friday. The province said most students will return to school Monday, but some classes would continue to learn from home for two weeks.
Changes to provincial regulations and travel restrictions
The government has decided to further restrict travel into the province. Travel will only be permitted for essential reasons including work, medical reasons, child custody or compassionate reasons approved by Public Health.
Canadian residents who own property in the province or have family members living in New Brunswick are no longer allowed to enter the province.
Those who have entered the province for work, or travelled outside the province and are returning as an essential worker, are now subject to a modified “work isolation.”
Under the new protocol workers are permitted to travel only to and from work, without making any other stops or interacting with others. They will be permitted to wear a mask at all times.
New Brunswick residents who are under work isolation can take a COVID-19 test after seven days and if their isolation can end if they test negative.
Dr. Russell said residents need to think carefully before travelling within the province, and should only go for essential reasons which include medical care, child custody, and compassionate reasons approved by Public Health.
Education minister Dominic Cardy said his department would not hesitate to close schools if Public Health recommended it, but they have yet to make the request.
