The active case count in the Moncton region health zone has spiked in the past ten days, with 49 cases active as of Tuesday, up from zero on August 1. All eight of the new cases reported Tuesday by public health originated in the Moncton region.
On Monday, Public Health released some information about those cases, saying the vast majority are in people who are not fully immunized, though it did not specify how many were partially immunized. The majority of cases are also in people under 40 years of age.
Those details were released a number of days after Nova Scotia’s Chief Medical Officer of Health Robert Strang shared similar information about New Brunswick cases in a Nova Scotia COVID-19 briefing.
“We’re well aware of what’s happening in New Brunswick,” said Strang last Thursday when questioned by reporters. “Specifically, there’s a cluster of cases in young, un-immunized individuals in the Moncton area. We’re watching that very carefully.”
Canadian Press reporter Sarah Smellie askes Strang if he was concerned. Strang gave a typical “wait and see” response, saying Nova Scotia would “take action as appropriate and necessary.” Smellie then pressed him on what type of actions might be on the table.
“There’s a range of actions,” said Strang, “as we’ve done in the past. Whether it’s advising Nova Scotians not to travel, or even restricting travel, increasing our border measures for people coming from New Brunswick.”
Strang said Nova Scotia public health would continue to monitor the situation and “work with with the government to make those final decisions, but we’re not there yet.”
Unlike in New Brunswick, where public health restrictions were completely lifted 12 days ago, restrictions in Nova Scotia are for the most part still in place. That province is in the final phase of its re-opening plan, and is waiting on increased immunization numbers before proceeding.
While New Brunswick is ahead of Nova Scotia on ending public health restrictions, the province trails Nova Scotia in immunization numbers by a few percentage points.
Just across the provincial border, Amherst mayor David Kogon says he has heard concerns about the current Moncton region outbreak from locals. “Everyone believes if case numbers get out of hand that restrictions will have to be re-introduced,” says Kogon, “and all are hoping it won’t come to that.”
“It is worrisome,” says Sackville mayor Shawn Mesheau, since the border restrictions directly affected so many people in the Sackville area.
“Ultimately, it’s good to know that none of these cases are hospitalized, which hopefully will help Nova Scotia determine their next steps,” says Mesheau.
Mesheau is hoping Sackvillians stay focussed on vaccinations, especially within the younger demographics where rates are lower. He also says we have to adjust to living with the virus, now that the emergency public health orders have ended.
“We just have to learn how to protect ourselves and protect the people we’re around,” says Mesheau, indicating hand washing, distancing and even wearing masks on some occasions, though they are no longer mandated. Mesheau himself still wears a mask at work, he says, because he works in retail.
“I’m confident in what our public health system is putting forward in regards to how they’ve approached the pandemic,” says Mesheau. “Dr. Russell’s done a fabulous job, and her team.”
His message to Dr. Strang and Nova Scotia: “All I can say is, just keep in mind that we have no hospitalizations, and we’re working diligently with regards to vaccination.”