Twenty new cases of COVID-19 were reported this afternoon by Chief Medical Officer of Health, Jennifer Russell.
Twelve of the cases are in Zone 1, the southeast region, which includes Sackville and the Tantramar area.
Nine of the new cases are linked to the Manoir Notre Dame outbreak in Moncton, and three are still under investigation.
Russell said that Public Health may have found the source of the outbreak at the Manoir. “We have traced what we think might be an index case to that outbreak,” she said Saturday afternoon, “but again we still have three cases under investigation, and we have to put all this information together, so we’re still working on that.”
The southeast region now has 33 active cases of COVID-19, with three under investigation, 29 connected to the Manoir Notre Dame, and one pre-dating the outbreak.
Russell said on Friday that 150 people connected to the Manoir Notre Dame have been asked to self-isolate.
The outbreak in Campbellton also grew in reported cases today, with seven new cases announced. A new case was also reported in Fredericton. That case has been traced to travel, and the person is already self-isolating.
Russell said she has been in contact with chief medical officers from other Atlantic provinces, and they are concerned and closely observing what happens in New Brunswick. The Atlantic Bubble border agreements could change if the situation in New Brunswick is deemed a risk to other provinces. Currently, New Brunswick has removed border controls with Nova Scotia and PEI, though those provinces continue to screen arrivals from New Brunswick.
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.
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:
