UPDATE: NBers Encouraged To Follow COVID Guidelines

New Brunswick health officials are strongly encouraging residents to continue following COVID-19 health measures as the province’s number of cases continues to climb.

Dr. Cristin Muecke, New Brunswick’s deputy chief medical officer of health, and Health Minister Dorothy Shephard spoke with reporters at a press conference in Fredericton Thursday morning.

Muecke said Public Health is concerned about the ever-increasing number of COVID-19 cases in New Brunswick, especially those where contact tracers can’t draw connections back to previously reported cases.

“Yes, we have seen an increase, but we’re not seeing serious illness that would jeopardize our healthcare system,” said Muecke.

Out of New Brunswick’s active cases, 14 have been confirmed to be community transmission. Muecke says contact tracers have found 13 cases in Zone 1 (Moncton region) and one has been confirmed in Zone 3 (Fredericton region).

Meanwhile, New Brunswick confirmed eight new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday. Six have been located in the Moncton region, with three being contacts of previously confirmed cases and three under investigation.

The Fredericton region added two new travel-related cases. There are now 157 active cases in New Brunswick and four patients in hospital, but none are in intensive care.

Muecke said the province’s current surge in cases is centred in the Moncton zone. But looking at New Brunswick’s COVID response six months ago, she says the only difference is the availability of vaccines.

“Without the protections afforded by the vaccines, and the tireless dedication of our public health contact tracers, our current situation would be significantly worse,” said Muecke, adding that fewer people need intensive care compared to the winter months.

That’s why she encourages those who haven’t received their vaccines yet to book an appointment. If you aren’t vaccinated, you’re still at risk of contracting and spreading the virus, said Muecke.

Minister Shephard said 74.2 per cent of New Brunswick’s eligible population have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. She also says 84 per cent has at least one dose of a vaccine. She adds there’s also a promising rise in the number of people booking appointments.

Around 6,000 New Brunswickers have booked vaccine appointments over the last few weeks. But, Shephard says that number jumped to a little more than 8,000 this week.

“We should all feel encouraged that nearly 75 per cent of our eligible population is now fully vaccinated. But with the presence of variants in your province, we must aim above and beyond that goal.”

As New Brunswick gets closer to the upcoming school year, Shephard is asking parents to vaccinate their children before returning to the classroom. She says 59.4 per cent of youth between 12-19 years of age are fully vaccinated. In addition, 73.8 per cent have one dose.

Muecke says isolating residents who have been infected or could be infected with the virus remains a key element in the province’s COVID response. More than 1,000 New Brunswickers are in isolation right now, said Muecke.

The majority of cases in New Brunswick are mainly among those who haven’t been vaccinated. Muecke said she strongly recommends New Brunswickers pay close attention to following the Public Health practices we’ve gotten used to throughout the pandemic.

Given the province’s current numbers, she also encourages wearing masks inside public spaces and limiting their contacts.

“It is true that masks are not currently required by law as they were earlier in the pandemic,” said Muecke. “But remember, we’re dealing with a communicable disease that can and will spread quickly among the unprotected.”