Horizon has cancelled its rapid test pick up site for Sackville, scheduled for today. In a social media post Monday evening, the health network said rapid tests would not be available at the regular weekly mobile pickup sites in Sackville, St. Stephen, Minto, and Baie-Sainte-Anne today.
A mobile pick up site is scheduled for Port Elgin tomorrow, at Memorial Park on Shemogue Road, from 10am to 2:30pm. Rapid tests are also available in Moncton, from 1pm to 6pm on weekdays, at 548 Mountain Road. [A list of regular pick up sites is located here.]
As of midnight tonight, new COVID-19 testing protocols will be in effect in New Brunswick. The province announced on Friday that PCR tests will be reserved for:
- People in areas at highest risk, including health-care workers and those who live or work in long-term care facilities, homeless shelters and correctional facilities.
- People who are symptomatic and aged 50 and over.
- People who are symptomatic and immunocompromised or pregnant.
- People who need a PCR test for travel.
- People who are identified as a priority by Public Health.
Public Health is advising everyone else to take point-of-care rapid tests when symptomatic.
Previously, those testing positive via rapid tests were asked to book a PCR test to confirm their case, but as of midnight tonight those instructions are changing. Positive rapid test results will be accepted, and those testing positive via rapid test are being asked to register their own results through a new form to become available this week.
NEW ISOLATION GUIDELINES
Public Health says that over 500 health care workers are currently isolating due to COVID-19, putting more strain on a system that is already experiencing staff shortages. As of midnight tonight, hospitals in both the Horizon and Vitalité health authorities will be providing emergency or urgent services only. Non-urgent and elective surgeries, procedures and lab services will be postponed.
Last week, the province announced a shorter isolation period for people who have tested positive, to help prevent staff shortages in essential services. Vaccinated people who have tested positive and their close household contacts will need to isolate for just five days. After that isolation, people must wear a mask continuously and avoid vulnerable settings and gatherings for another five days.
Close contacts outside of households will not be required to isolate, but will be asked to wear a mask continuously and avoid vulnerable settings and gatherings for ten days.
Anyone who is unvaccinated is being asked to isolate for ten days.
NO MORE CONTACT TRACING
Public Health is also making changes to its contact tracing, which has been struggling to keep up with new cases since late August. Over 8700 cases are listed as under investigation on the province’s COVID-19 dashboard, meaning that the origin of the infection is still unknown. That number will keep growing as the province moves to reserve contact tracing for people in vulnerable settings only.
People who test positive are now being asked to notify their close contacts and members of their household of their status, and follow isolation guidelines.
