Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health, announced New Brunswick will move back to level two of the Winter Action Plan (Image via GNB)
New Brunswick will move back to level two of the Winter Action Plan at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, after spending two weeks in a highly restrictive level 3.
In a COVID-19 update on Thursday, chief medical officer of health, Dr. Jennifer Russell, presented the latest data and projections, which indicate a 30 per cent reduction in contacts.
“With that reduction in contacts over the last two weeks, we now expect the peak of about 150 hospital cases will be reached in mid-February,” Russell stated.
When the province moved to level 3, the health care system was in a “dire situation”, said Russell, who also noted there are 141 New Brunswickers in hospital positive for COVID-19, and eight are in ICU.
The date also indicated a decrease in the seven-day trend for new hospitalizations.
“The actions taken this month were difficult, but they were necessary. These measures have been effective, not to end the pandemic, and not to end this wave, but to limit its impact at this critical time,” Russell remarked.
Students across New Brunswick will return to the classroom on Jan. 31, for the first time since before the holiday season.
The province has revealed several modifications to Level 2, including changes that allow most children to return to sports and activities in some capacity.
Despite these changes, the province’s top doctor continued to push the importance that we are not out of the woods yet.
Russell urged people to limit contacts to their household and the steady 10, avoid poorly vented indoor crowded spaces, and continue wearing masks.
COVID-19 data
Public Health reported three more people who had COVID-19 have died: two people in their 70s, one each from the Moncton and Edmundston regions, and a person in the 90 and over age group in the Fredericton region.
Eighty-three of those currently hospitalized were admitted for reasons other than COVID-19.
There are currently 479 healthcare workers who have tested positive for the virus and are isolating.
Through PCR tests, Public Health confirmed 388 new cases of COVID-19. Of the new cases, 122 are in the Moncton zone, and 57 are in the Saint John region.
Following 347 recoveries, the provincial active caseload stands at 5,354.
Additionally, there have been 682 new positive rapid tests reported to Public Health.
“Because we are moving to level 2, we will be moving away from the daily news releases. Data will still be available on the dashboard and it will be updated daily,” Premier Blaine Higgs announced.
Jail outbreaks
In a news release issued on Thursday, New Brunswick announced there have been COIVD-19 outbreaks at the four provincial correctional centres where adult male inmates are held – Madawaska (Saint-Hilaire), Dalhousie, Southeast (Shediac) and Saint John.
The release states 176 male inmates have tested positive, and about 100 correctional officers – one-quarter of the staff – are required to self-isolate.
Staffing levels are strained, but all basic needs are being met, including time outside, the release notes.
