Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Russell announced six new cases of COVID-19 in the province during a live online update on Monday.
Three the cases are in Zone 1, the southeast region, which includes Sackville and the Tantramar area. The other three cases are in Zone 5 (Campbellton region).
All six cases are self-isolating.
All of the new cases are related to the ongoing outbreaks.
The southeast region now has 40 active cases of COVID-19. One case predates the current outbreak, and the remaining 39 have been traced to the Manoir Notre Dame outbreak first discovered on Tuesday, October 6, 2020.
Dr. Russell says that there is no confirmed case of community spread in either Zone 1 or Zone 5.
All contacts of the confirmed cases have been contacted and ordered to self-isolate. Dr. Russell says that the next 14 days are important to see if any cases of COVID-19 show up outside of those who were ordered to self-isolate.
Janeville Elementary School, outside of Bathurst, has identified a potential exposure through contact tracing. All affected families and/or individuals will be or have been contacted by Public Health with instructions to self-isolate.
Bi-weekly testing is available for essential workers who travel back-and-forth between Quebec and New Brunswick. Those tests can be requested online.
Zones 1 and 5 require face coverings or masks indoors and outdoors in all public areas at all times.
In response to the new mask rules, Dr. Russell says “we just want to be as aggressive as we can to get things under control as soon as possible.”
Dr. Russell says that if you are walking outdoors with someone from within your bubble and there is nobody around, such as a beach or the woods, masks are not required.
She says [translated from French] “If in doubt, wear the mask.”
There is a potential source of exposure to COVID-19 at the Centre Père-Patrice-Leblanc on Murphy Avenue in Moncton. Public Health advises anyone who went to this location between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 4 to self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days. If any COVID-19 symptoms develop, they must self-isolate and take the self-assessment online or call 811 to get tested.
Newfoundland and PEI have issued travel advisories, asking people to avoid travel to Orange zones and/or to self-monitor closely upon return.
Zone 1 and Zone 5 are currently under orange level restrictions, and the province is asking people not to travel in or out of those zones except for essential reasons.
Concerning Thanksgiving travel, the province discourages travelling in and out of Orange zones. If you have already left, it is advised that all travelers adhere to Orange level guidelines both during and for 14 days after returning from travel.
Public Health preventative measures include:
- wear a mask at all times when in public, indoors and outdoors for the next 14 days;
- be vigilant in self-monitoring for symptoms and get tested as soon as possible should they develop;
- limit your contacts to your two-household bubble;
- wash your hands or use sanitizer frequently;
- maintain a two metre distance from others; and
- avoid gatherings outside of Thanksgiving dinner.
The orange level restrictions were revised in August to be slightly less restrictive than their first iteration in early summer. The current rules are:
- Two household bubble plus formal or informal caregivers and members of immediate family (parents, children, siblings and grand-parents) is permitted.
- Outdoor gatherings with physical distancing of 10 people or fewer are permitted. Physical distancing required in all other settings.
- Indoor religious services, weddings and funerals of 10 people or fewer are permitted.
- Face masks remain mandatory in all public spaces, both indoors and outdoors.
- Non-urgent medical procedures and elective surgeries allowed.
- Strict visitor restrictions are maintained in vulnerable settings.
- Primary care providers and regulated health professionals may operate utilizing virtual appointments whenever possible.
- Unregulated health professionals are allowed, however, close contact personal services such as barbers, hair stylists or spas are closed.
- Daycares and K to 12 schools are open under strict guidance, with virtual learning to be used for at-risk populations. Day camps are allowed.
- Post-secondary education can continue to operate.
- Outdoor recreational activities are allowed, including campgrounds, ATV or snowmobile trails. However, no organized sports are allowed.
- Gym and fitness facilities are closed, including other similar sport or recreational businesses or facilities.
- Casinos, amusement centres, bingo halls, arcades, cinemas and large live performance venues are closed.
- All other businesses, including food, beverage and retail, can operate under a COVID-19 operational plan. Record keeping for seated venues is a requirement.
CHMA is tracking local closures, cancellations and postponements here:
