COVID Update: Those born in 2003 or earlier now eligible for vaccine, Zone 3 remains a concern

A COVID-19 graphic.
Image by Meg Cunningham.

A person age 70-79 passed away in the hospital yesterday as a result of COVID-19.

The person was a resident of Pavillon Beau-Lieu in Grand Falls (Zone 4). This is the 42nd person in New Brunswick as a result of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.

New Brunswick has 10 new cases of COVID-19, none of which are in Zone 1 (Moncton region). 

In fact, nine of them are in Zone 3 (Fredericton region) where two variants of concern are circulating, including the B1617 variant first identified in India. The other case is in Zone 6 (Bathurst), and is travel-related. 

Over one third of New Brunswick’s current 121 active cases are in Zone 3, including cases in New Maryland Elementary School and New Maryland Kidz Klub.

There is also a growing list of exposure areas in the Fredericton area over the past week. 

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Russell says that some cases of COVID-19 were discovered after testing those in exposure areas, and encourages everyone to check the list every day.

“Many people who do come forward because of this type of public exposure notification… we do find cases this way. So it is really helpful,” says Dr. Russell. “If you have been in a location where an exposure to COVID-19 may have happened, you can get tested right away. You don’t have to wait for symptoms to emerge. And I encourage anyone who has been in a public exposure setting to seek testing as quickly as possible. The sooner we can identify and isolate new cases, the sooner we can limit the spread of any new outbreaks.”

In vaccine news, New Brunswickers age 18 and older are now eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Appointments can be made at either a pharmacy or a regional health authority clinic. 

A reminder for anyone looking to make an appointment at the Guardian Corner Drug Store to do so online rather than over the phone. The Corner Drug Store doesn’t have the staffing capacity to handle phone appointments. 

Over 330,000 New Brunswickers have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.  

For the time being, AstraZeneca is still unavailable as a first dose for anyone other than housebound patients over 55 who give consent.

That is, until more supply comes in. Once the province receives enough supply from the federal government, AstraZeneca will once again be offered to New Brunswickers over 55 as a first dose. 

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