Public Health announced Tuesday that someone in their 20s in the Moncton region (Zone 1) died from COVID-19.
Chief medical officer of health, Dr. Jennifer Russell, said this is the youngest of the 36 people who have died from the virus.
She said we’re seeing “a fire all around us” and, while we are exhausted, we have to keep fighting.
Russell said there are three different variants in different zones which are dominating the viral landscape. These are the U.K. variant, the South African variant and the India variant.
Public Health recommended that the portion of Zone 4 currently in lockdown move to the orange phase at midnight Tuesday night as the situation in the area continues to improve.
Regarding the outbreak confirmed at Magee House, a residence at UNB Fredericton, Russell said all residents were tested and will be retested later this week. She said those living in this residence and another are in isolation while testing and contact tracing takes place.
Russell said someone in the second residence, the Elizabeth Parr-Johnston Residence, also came into contact with a positive case.
Both residences are apartment and suite-style for mature students aged 21 or older.
UNB Fredericton, St. Thomas University and NBCC Fredericton have moved to an essential services model at the direction of Public Health.
Following confirmed cases of COVID-19 at UNB’s McGee House and at the direction of Public Health, STU will be moving to an essential services model with campus closed and buildings locked, effective today at 1PM for 72 hours.
— St. Thomas University (@StThomasU) April 26, 2021
There were 24 new cases announced in the province on Tuesday, including two new cases in the Moncton region (Zone 1) and one in the Fredericton region (Zone 3).
A total of 21 cases were announced in the Edmundston region (Zone 4) and all are related to an outbreak at a special care home in Grand Falls.
There are 137 active cases with six people in the hospital, including two patients in intensive care.
George Street Middle School in Fredericton is closed for three days for contact tracing due to a confirmed case. Russell said testing will be mandatory for students and staff.
Meanwhile, Premier Blaine Higgs said the province is continuing its vaccination progress. A total of 34 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Higgs said people 60 years and older can now book an appointment for their first dose of vaccine.
The premier said it is important that truck drivers and essential workers follow Public Health guidelines and the modified isolation rules.
A total of 30 truck drivers and essential workers received positive COVID results between March 21 and April 26, but Higgs said that’s not to cast blame because every travel category has had cases.
Higgs addressed the concern that New Brunswickers would rather face fines to isolate at home instead of in an isolation hotel.
The fine for leisure travellers has increased from $292.50 to $580.50 which means for every day of not adhering to the mandatory isolation order at an isolation hotel, a person can be fined a minimum of $4,063.50 over the seven days required to isolate.
Higgs asked residents not to take any risks and, if you have an option, don’t come back to New Brunswick for the time being.
“Every day, we are closer to the end of this pandemic,” he said.
