New Brunswick is now reporting the highest number of active cases of COVID-19 at any time during the pandemic.
Public Health announced 57 new cases on Friday spread across five of the province’s seven health zones.
That includes 16 cases in the Fredericton region, 15 in the Moncton region, 14 in the Campbellton region, nine in the Edmundston region, and three in the Saint John region.
With 23 new recoveries also reported, the number of active cases rose to 370. Before now, the peak was 348 in late January.
Seventeen people are currently in the hospital, including 10 in intensive care. As of Thursday, there were 15 people in the hospital and nine in the ICU.
Of the new cases announced Friday, 72 per cent are not fully vaccinated and 28 per cent are in fully vaccinated people.
“These breakthrough cases are expected while the virus continues to circulate although those vaccinated are far less likely to be seriously ill or hospitalized,” Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province’s chief medical officer of health, said in a news release.
Russell said Public Health is “strongly recommending” that everyone wear a mask in indoor public spaces, regardless of vaccination status.
“If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, no matter how mild, do not assume they are fall allergies; get tested,” said Russell.
New guidelines for schools starting Monday
The province also announced new measures for schools in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the education system.
These are in addition to new masking policies which went in effect earlier this week.
According to health officials, 20 schools have been affected by “about 80 confirmed cases” so far this year.
The following measures will come into effect on Monday, Sept. 20:
- Using classroom groupings (or bubbles) to the greatest extent possible. Class sizes will not be changed.
- Only classroom bubble-friendly field trips will be permitted for students in kindergarten to Grade 8.
- Schools will look for ways to encourage greater physical distancing between groupings, such as adjusting lunch or recess schedules.
- Physical education classes will be taught outdoors, weather permitting. If taught indoors, students and staff must wear masks.
- Assemblies will no longer be permitted.
Families are also being asked to drive their children to school, if possible, to reduce the risk of transmission on buses and allow for greater physical distancing.
Starting Wednesday, Sept. 22, all students who are eligible to be vaccinated and do not have a medical exemption must be vaccinated to participate in indoor or outdoor extracurricular and intramural activities.
“The growing number of cases of COVID-19 in communities is having a significant impact on public school operations,” Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Dominic Cardy said in the release. “We have a duty to protect our students, especially those under 12 who are not yet eligible to receive protection through COVID-19 vaccines.”
Several new potential public exposures were announced on Friday. You can find the full list online.
Vaccination rates continue to rise
As of Friday, 77.5 per cent of eligible New Brunswick are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 86.1 per cent have received their first dose of a vaccine.
Russell said demand for vaccinations has picked up since the province announced new vaccine measures set to take effect next Tuesday night.
“Yesterday we scheduled 1,929 vaccination appointments at regional health authority clinics, in addition to 1,700 bookings the day before. Prior to Wednesday’s announcement, the recent average was 600 bookings per day,” said Russell.
As of 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 21, people will be required to show proof of full vaccination when accessing certain events, services and businesses, and anyone entering New Brunswick must pre-register their travel. Those who are not fully vaccinated will have to isolate for 14 days.
