Four new cases were announced during a GNB livestream this afternoon.
One of the cases is in Zone 1 (Moncton), and is an individual between age 60 and 69.
The other three are in Zone 5 (Campbellton). They are two individuals between age 60 and 69 and one individual between age 50 and 59.
All cases are self-isolating and under investigation by Public Health.
There are 41 active cases in the province, with 4 people in intensive care.
OUTBREAK DECLARED IN BALMORAL NURSING HOME
There is one confirmed case in the Quatre Saisons nursing home in Balmoral (Restigouche County, Zone 5).
The case was confirmed on Wednesday, October 28.
All residents and staff are undergoing rapid testing today, and contact tracing is underway.
Dr. Russell could not disclose whether it was a staff member or resident who tested positive.
DR. RUSSELL URGES YOUNG PEOPLE TO GET TESTED
Dr. Russell says that the laboratory at the Georges Dumont Hospital in Moncton has processed over 100,000 tests since the beginning of the pandemic.
2,400 tests were conducted in Zone 5 during the mass testing last weekend.
Of those 2,400 tests, two were positive.
Dr. Russell says that “the outcome is not going to completely show a complete picture.”
She says, “we analyze the data in terms of the age groups that were being tested, and it would be good if younger adults between the ages of 20 and 40 were tested as well… because we know the virus can affect people of all ages, and certainly in the younger population, they are at risk of transmitting to parents and grandparents.”
She also encourages those with mild symptoms to get tested.
ESSENTIAL WORKERS TRAVELLING OUTSIDE OF ATLANTIC BUBBLE HAVE NEW RULES
Essential workers who enter New Brunswick from outside the Atlantic Bubble must follow new self-isolation protocols.
Those workers must self-isolate for 14 days and only leave isolation for the following essential services:
- Accessing essential goods and services (including necessities of life and supporting services),
- Health care,
- Goods and services needed for work,
- Banking and/or financial services,
- Child care,
- Animal care,
- and funeral or visitation services for immediate family members.
Truckers, daily commuters, and those with a WorkSafeNB operational plan are exempt from the modified self-isolation rules.
Workers also have an option to request up to three COVID tests online throughout the duration of their isolation period, depending on the length of their stay in the province.
If the test comes back negative and the worker has no symptoms, they are temporarily relieved of the new self-isolation rules until their next test.
For example, a New Brunswick worker who has returned and plans to remain in the province for three weeks before leaving again will be required to undergo modified self-isolation unless they are voluntarily tested three times around days 0-2, 5-7, and 10-12. If the first test comes back negative, they are relieved from modified self-isolation until their next test. If after the third test they are free of symptoms and continue to test negative, they would no longer be subject to modified self-isolation after the 10th day. Individuals will need to continue to wear a mask while in public and follow Public Health guidance.
Office of the Premier News Release, October 29 2020.
Premier Blaine Higgs endorses the new measures, saying that “95% of the COVID-19 cases in our province are the result of travel or someone who has been in close contact with another traveller who was positive.”
Dr. Russell says these procedures are subject to change should new risks or information arise.
She says the new protocols are necessary due to the increase in COVID-19 cases outside the Atlantic Bubble.
“We know that the best case scenario is 14 day self isolation, as we saw with international students. That was very successful, as well as the temporary foreign workers and any other travel related cases that you saw pop up on the radar over the course of the last several months. Those people who were self isolating for 14 days and tested positive during those 14 days could not infect anybody else. So as of right now, these new protocols will increase our chances of catching infections before they spread.”
TESTING CENTRE IN BELLEDUNE, NO SYMPTOMS NECESSARY
This Friday, October 30th, anyone in the area without symptoms can go to the Belledune Recreation Centre for a COVID-19 test.
Appointments are not required and tests will be administered on a first come, first served basis.
Folks can drop in for their test between 9am and 5pm.Testing is available for people in Belledune who do not have any symptoms of COVID-19.
Those who do have symptoms need to request a screening online to make an appointment at a testing center.
