A person in their 30s in the Fredericton zone has died as a result of COVID-19, according to the province, bringing the total number of deaths to 169.
Public Health reported on Thursday that 63 people are now in hospital with the virus, an increase of four from Wednesday.
Nineteen of those patients require the intensive care unit, three more since Wednesday.
Forty-six patients are over the age of 60 and 11 of them are on a ventilator.
According to the information available from PCR tests, Public Health reported 672 new cases and 227 recoveries on Thursday. The breakdown is as follows:
- 323 cases in the Saint John health region
- 135 cases in the Moncton health region
- 85 cases in the Fredericton health region
- 65 cases in the Edmundston health region
- 43 cases in the Bathurst health region
- 15 cases in the Miramichi health region
- 6 cases in the Edmundston health region.
According to PCR test data, there are now 7,267 active cases of the virus in the province.
The rate of new cases is 90.5 per 100,000 for the fully vaccinated, 55.4 per 100,000 for the partially vaccinated, and 75.3 per 100,000 for the unvaccinated.
Of those currently in hospital, the rate is 6.3 per 100,000 for the fully vaccinated, 0 per 100,000 for the partially vaccinated, and 23.5 per 100,000 for the unvaccinated.
Among those in the ICU, the rates are 0.8 per 100,000 for the fully vaccinated, 0 per 100,000 for the partially vaccinated, and 13.7 per 100,000 for the unvaccinated.
Friday briefing planned
The provincial government is expected to provide an update on the COVID-19 situation in New Brunswick at 10 a.m. Friday.
A media advisory said the briefing will cover vaccines, the spread of the Omicron variant, and provide an update on the health care system.
Health Minister Dorothy Shephard and Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell will take part and the update will be livestreamed on the government’s YouTube channel.
New Brunswickers urged to get booster dose
Public Health again urged eligible New Brunswickers to get a booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
“Due to Omicron’s high transmissibility, getting a booster shot of vaccine is especially important as it gives you an added layer of protection,” said Russell in a news release.
“With lots of vaccine and appointments available for booster doses, I urge everyone eligible to get their dose as soon as possible.
These groups are currently eligible if five months have passed since their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine:
- people 50 and older
- members of First Nations communities
- residents of nursing homes and adult residential facilities.
- health-care personnel – including those working in long-term care facilities
- school personnel
- early childhood education and daycare staff
The immunocompromised can book a booster dose if a minimum of five months have passed since their last mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
“Very soon, we will be expanding the eligibility for booster doses so it is imperative those who are high risk who can get their dose now, book an appointment at a regional health authority clinic or reach out to a participating pharmacy,” said Health Minister Dorothy Shephard. “New Brunswickers eligible for a COVID-19 booster dose can book their appointment online.”
As of Thursday, 83 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, 90.5 per cent have had a first dose of a vaccine and 22.6 per cent have received a booster dose.
A positive test result means you have COVID-19. If you test positive on a rapid point-of-care test, register your results online. https://t.co/LAGNY6AI0h pic.twitter.com/mhU6ikxrWA
— Government of NB (@Gov_NB) January 6, 2022
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