Two confirmed cases of the COVID-19 South African variant have been identified in New Brunswick according to Public Health.
“Today’s news further reinforces the need for every New Brunswicker to follow public health guidelines,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health.
“These new variants are more contagious, so it is important that we take the necessary precautions now to reduce the transmission of the virus and any of its variants in our communities.”
The Dr. Georges-L-Dumont Hospital’s microbiology lab in Moncton confirmed that two samples sent to Winnipeg’s National Microbiology Lab earlier this month are COVID-19 South African variant cases.
The two cases were reported in Zone 2 (Saint John region).
One is related to travel outside of Canada and the other case is a contact of that travel case.
Public Health reported 10 new cases of COVID-19 today (April 12).
The four new cases in Zone 1 (Moncton region) are as follows:
- an individual 20-29;
- an individual 30-39; and
- two people 40-49.
One of these four cases is linked to travel and the other three are under investigation.
The six cases in Zone 4 (Edmundston region) are as follows:
- two people 19 and under;
- an individual 20-29;
- an individual 30-39;
- an individual 50-59; and
- an individual 60-69.
Two of these six cases are contacts of a previously-confirmed cases and the other four are under investigation.
Eighteen patients are in hospital with the virus including 13 in an intensive care unit.
The number of active cases is 145.
A section of Zone 4 (Edmundston region), including Edmundston and the upper Madawaska region is in lockdown as per the province’s mandatory order. A detailed list of lockdown restrictions, including what can remain open and what must close, is available online.
The communities of Saint-Léonard, Grand Falls, Drummond, New Denmark and Four Falls remain in the Red level.
All other zones and communities in the province, including the Saint-Quentin and Kedgwick regions in Zone 4, remain in the Yellow level.
