Dr. Jennifer Russell speaks at Friday's COVID briefing. (GNB YouTube)
Three more New Brunswickers have died as a result of COVID-19.
Two people in the Moncton zone, one in their 70s and the other in their 80s, have died.
A person over the age of 90 in the Edmundston zone has also died.
78 new cases were added on Friday, and the number of active cases is 573.
There are eight new cases in Zone 1 (Moncton region), six new cases in Zone 2 (Saint John region), 28 new cases in Zone 3 (Fredericton region), 22 new cases in Zone 4 (Edmundston region), and 13 new cases in Zone 5 (Campbellton region).
31 people are in hospital due to the virus, with 15 in intensive care.
Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health, said we are seeing new cases in every corner of our province.
She added the pace of this fourth wave is beyond what we anticipated but by acting now we can reduce the impact on the healthcare system.
Premier Blaine Higgs said the province will reinstate the state of emergency order as of 11:59 p.m. Friday night.
Higgs mentioned the move is necessary because of the current spike in cases, and going forward, hospitalizations will be the main trigger.
“The mandatory order will go into effect when we have 25 or more people hospitalized due to COVID-19 in New Brunswick a situation we’re in today with 31 people in hospital.”
There is also a return to household bubbles, which includes one household plus up to 20 consistent contacts known as the “steady 20”.
“We need all New Brunswickers to take urgent action, regardless of vaccination status, to slow the spread of COVID-19, this is why these measures and the return to the mandatory order are required,” added Higgs.
There will be spot checks at borders and businesses, and fines will be issued if businesses or individuals do not comply with the rules.
Fines can range between $480 to $20,400.
For more information, CLICK HERE.
With files from Tim Herd and Tamara Steele.
