7 NEW CASES, EDMUNSTON REGIONAL HOSPITAL AT CAPACITY
Dr. Russell and Health Minister Dorothy Shephard announced seven new cases of COVID-19 today during a live press conference.
None of those new cases are in Zone 1 (Moncton region).
Six of the new cases are in Zone 4 (Edmunston region), where the ongoing outbreak has hospitalized a record number of New Brunswickers.
Three cases are contacts of previously reported cases, and the other three are under investigation. The cases vary in age, from under 19 to someone in their 80s.
The other case is in Zone 3 (Fredericton region), and is a contact of a previous case.
Dr. Russell confirmed that most of the new cases in Zone 4 are COVID-19 variants.
“As fast as our vaccine effort is moving, it seems that the new variants of COVID-19 are moving just as quickly,” says Dr. Russell. “Most of the cases in Zone 4 are the UK variant, and it’s very, very concerning, compared to what type of COVID cases we used to see. This variant is much more transmissible than the original strain, and the sustained outbreak is happening despite our best efforts to limit it.”
The province has moved more vaccines to Zone 4, and Dr. Russell encourages all who are eligible to get vaccinated.
The Edmunston Regional Hospital has officially reached its capacity of COVID-19 patients, who vary in age, and some patients are being rerouted to other health zones.
20 New Brunswickers are in the hospital due to COVID-19, and 18 patients are in intensive care units.
Zone 4 is mourning the loss of 38-year-old Luc Bélanger of Saint-Basile, who passed away due to COVID-19 on Tuesday.
Bélanger is the youngest New Brunswicker to succumb to the disease to date.
He was a husband and a father, and his sister told CBC that she hopes that New Brunswickers young and old will remember that the virus is present and very dangerous.
CHANGES TO VACCINE ROLL OUT, NEW APPOINTMENT OPTIONS
In vaccine news, the province has changed its plan for Phase 2 of the vaccine roll out.
Large employers and home care workers were originally slated to be vaccinated at specified regional health authority clinics, but the province is taking a different approach.
Minister Shephard explained that age-based eligibility is the most efficient way forward.
“Focusing on age-based eligibility will maximize efficiency and allow us to react to changing supply chains as we work to vaccinate New Brunswickers quickly and efficiently with the vaccines available to us,” says Shephard.
Rotational workers, truckers, and regular cross-border commuters have a new option for making a vaccine appointment.
They can now make an appointment at their local regional health authority clinic as well as a pharmacy by calling 1-833-437-1424 or online.
Over 120,000 New Brunswickers have been vaccinated with at least one dose of a vaccine as of today, including some smiling Sackvillians featured here.
Those 55 and older can now book an appointment to get an at AstraZeneca vaccine through a regional health authority clinic as well as a pharmacy.
These clinics will take place in a variety of New Brunswick cities, including Moncton, Tracadie, Bathurst, Saint John, and Fredericton.
If you are eligible and want to make an appointment at a clinic, the closest would be Moncton, you can do so online at or call the number listed above.
The Corner Drug Store is also offering appointments to those 55 and over who want to get a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. They have indicated that making an appointment online is the strongly preferred option, but if you don’t have an internet connection you can call (506) 536-2255.
SCHOOL’S IN ON MONDAY (MOSTLY)
Most high schools will return to full-time, in-person learning starting this Monday morning.
Some schools have been delayed so that their staff members have the chance to be vaccinated, since the province fell a little behind in getting some teachers the vaccine.
Those schools, the closest of which is Polyvalente Louis-J.-Robichaud in Shediac, will reopen on April 19th instead.
Also of course, any school that is in a designated red zone will not reopen until given the all clear by Public Health.
NEW BORDER RULES FOR INCOMING/OUTGOING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
Speaking of students, the government announced rules for post-secondary students and their families now that the academic year is coming to an end.
Anyone coming into New Brunswick to pick up a student and their belongings can do so without undergoing the 14-day isolation period under very specific conditions.
As of Friday at 11:59PM, a person from out-of-province can enter New Brunswick and pick up a student without self-isolating as long as they leave the province again within 24 hours, and have no contact with anyone other than the student.
They are also required to pre-register online before entering the province for those 24 hours, otherwise they won’t be allowed to cross the border.
If the people picking up the student stay in the province for longer than 24 hours, then they are required to follow Public Health’s self-isolation rules for 14 days. Failure to do so may result in a ticket or a fine.
Minister Shephard also cautioned those coming into New Brunswick to make sure they understand the self-isolation rules within their own provinces, as they might have to self-isolate upon return.
So those are the rules for people coming in, but what about for people who need to pick up students living out-of-province?
New Brunswickers may enter an Atlantic province (Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, or Newfoundland) for no more than 24 hours to retrieve a student.
That is of course as long as the province they are entering allows them to. Pre-registration may be necessary, and plans should definitely be made in advance.
New Brunswickers entering an Atlantic province cannot be in contact with anyone other than the student they are picking up. They won’t need to self-isolate when they reenter New Brunswick as long as they come back within 24 hours.
Students returning to New Brunswick from other Atlantic provinces will also not need to self-isolate upon their return.
Those retrieving a student who lives outside of Atlantic Canada, such as Quebec or Ontario, are required to self-isolate for 14 days upon their return to New Brunswick. The student moving into New Brunswick from outside of the Atlantic provinces also needs to self-isolate.
Any questions should be asked by calling 1-844-462-8387.
