There are five new cases of COVID-19 in New Brunswick.
Three of the new cases are in Zone 2 (St. John). The cases are two people under the age of 19, and one person between 30 and 39.
Two of the new cases are in Zone 1 (Moncton). The cases are two people between ages 20 and 29.
During the press conference, Dr. Russell announced that there are six new cases, which included an additional person in Zone 2 between ages 20 to 29.
That information has since been corrected via a provincial news release.
There are currently 93 active cases of COVID-19.
Chief Medical Officer of New Brunswick, Dr. Jennifer Russell, says the province is anticipating more confirmed cases in the coming weeks.
“We actually have a record number of people self isolating across the province following potential exposures, and therefore the risk of further confirmed cases is high.”
YOUNG PEOPLE MAKE UP OVER HALF OF CASES
People under 30 are making up the majority of COVID-19 cases in New Brunswick.
Dr. Russell says that “since the pandemic began in March, people under the age of 30 have comprised only 29.4% of all confirmed COVID-19 cases, but currently they make up more than half of [New Brunswick’s] active caseload.”
53 of the 94 active cases of COVID-19, or 56.3%, are under the age of 30.
Dr. Russell warns those under 30 that COVID-19 is dangerous to everyone, not just older people or those with pre-existing conditions.
“Children, teens and young adults are not immune from this disease, and they can become gravely ill and suffer long term damage to their health. They can, and do, pass this virus to others who are less able to fight its effects.”
She also encourages people to “reach out to the people that you know in this age group and help them be as safe as possible.”
“Young people and young families can help stem the spread of COVID-19 infections by wearing a mask when in public, avoiding large gatherings, and reducing your close contacts, meaning that people that you spend time with without wearing a mask. You can break the chain of infections spreading in our province, and help return all regions of New Brunswick into the yellow phase of recovery.”
ONE HOUSEHOLD RULE CLARIFIED FOR SINGLE PEOPLE
Dr. Russell apologies for the confusion around the single household bubble rule.
She says “the intent has always been for no one to ever have to be isolated alone,” and acknowledges that the rules have not been clear for single people.
“Your single household bubble can be extended to a caregiver and immediate family member who requires support, including mental social and emotional support. If you live alone, and need mental health or other care support, a caregiver can be a formal or informal caregiver such as a close friend or neighbor. It is only the same single household permitted to go to restaurants and other venues, including church, together.”
Dr. Russell also reminds New Brunswickers that mental health resources are available, and recommends anyone looking for said resources call 211 for direction.
SAY NO TO PARTIES, SAYS DR. RUSSELL
Dr. Russell emphasizes reducing close contacts and indoor gatherings as a method of slowing the spread of COVID-19.
She recommends rehearsing a line for turning down such gatherings.
“I have a friend who has a really good line when she’s asked to do something that she’s not comfortable doing or can’t do for whatever reason. She says, “that doesn’t work for me.” So have a rehearsed line where if you’re uncomfortable and you really don’t want to participate in a gathering, or you’ve changed your mind about hosting a gathering. Be comfortable in stating that you can’t or you won’t in a very practical way.”
CHMA news is reaching out to local counselors to discuss setting boundaries during COVID-19, so stay tuned.
NO COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION DECLARED (YET)
Dr. Russell clarifies that while there appears to be multiple unlinked chains of transmission in Zone 1, these cases are not yet considered to be community transmission.
The reason is based on lessons learned from the October outbreak in Zone 5.
“So in the Zone 5 outbreak that included Dalhousie, Campbellton, and Balmoral, there were about five unlinked chains of transmission at one point. But by the end of the outbreak, we were actually able to to link them all. It just took a really long time to re-interview people and find those links. But at the time, because we didn’t have those links, we were assuming that there was community transmission at that point. Thankfully, we were able to get that outbreak under control, and that was a great success. But now in St. John’s zone, which is Zone 2, there are no unlinked chains of transmission. Every single case in St. John is linked. In Zone 1, in the Moncton zone, there are a couple of unlinked chains. I actually don’t know how many cases are involved in each of the clusters. But again, contact tracing and interviewing is still ongoing. So that’s why we haven’t declared community transmission.”
On the New Brunswick COVID-19 Dashboard, there are now 20 cases listed as “under investigation.”
TESTING BACKLOG ADDRESSED
There is a backlog of COVID-19 tests that need to be processed, says Dr. Russell.
This is in part due to certain tests being prioritized over others.
“We do have a priority system when we do testing. So when zones go to orange, it changes how many pre-op tests we do, and they have to be prioritized. Anybody that Public Health refers for testing, they have to be prioritized. So, in terms of the priority cases, those ones are actually getting done.”
Dr. Russell says a second assessment centre is being set up in St. John, which should be operational on November 25th.
Another assessment centre on Ropewalk Road in St. John is being set up to function with additional capacity to address the backlog.
EXPOSURE ADVISORIES
New Brunswickers returning home from the Halifax area are required to self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days upon arrival.
“For the first 14 days, please get tested if you have symptoms. You have to behave as if you have come from an orange zone in New Brunswick.”
The following locations in Zone 1 (Moncton) are identified as public exposure locations of COVID-19:
RD Maclean Co. Ltd., on Nov. 16, 17 and 18 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. (200 St. George Street, Moncton).
GoodLife Fitness, on Nov. 21 between 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. (555 Dieppe Blvd., Dieppe).
ONLINE CLASSES (FOR SOME) IN ZONES 2 AND 3
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development Dominic Cardy says there has not been a case of student-to-student transmission in a school as of today.
He discourages parents from holding private holiday social gatherings as school-sanctioned events are cancelled.
“When I get emails from people saying that because the school Christmas social was canceled… The parents are taking it upon themselves to organize those socials outside of school. You are sending your children a dangerous message and possibly risking them becoming the vectors for a deadly disease. We have got to take this virus seriously. If we continue to take it seriously, our hospitals can stay open, our schools can stay open.”
Cardy says the “goal is to keep our schools open as much as we possibly can, based on the triggers that were established.”
Seven New Brunswick schools, in Zones 2 and 3, have been impacted by the recent COVID-19 outbreaks.
Some classes from schools in Zones 2 and 3 will be attending class online “in the coming week or two,” says Cardy.
He reminds parents that remote IT help is available by calling the Bell call centre at 1-833-453-1140.