New Brunswick Public Health reported 13 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday.
One person in their 40’s in the Moncton region has tested positive for COVID-19, and the case is under investigation.
The remaining cases are all in Zone 5, the Campbellton region. One case is a person in their 20’s is determined to have been travel related. The other 11 cases are all under investigation.
Both Zone 1 (the southeast region including Sackville and the Tantramar area), and Zone 5 (the Campbellton region) are being put into orange level of pandemic restrictions as of Saturday, October 10.
Chief Medical Officer of Health Jennifer Russell says the decision to put Zone 1 into orange level was “due to additional public health exposures that were identified through the investigation of existing cases. Cases of potential community spread being investigated, and reports of low compliance with directives in some higher risk settings.”
Russell said that 150 people are currently self-isolating as a result of the Manoir Notre Dame outbreak in Moncton.
Russell warned that some of those who tested positive had only one and sometimes no symptoms.
“During the course of these two outbreaks that we’re managing and investigating, there have been several cases that have been asymptomatic and there have been several cases where the only symptom was a runny nose,” said Russell. “So even if you think you just have the common cold and just have a runny nose, please take this very seriously. We are really counting on everyone to get tested if they have any of the symptoms of COVID-19 that are on our list.”
Public Health has identified one more potential public exposure to the virus in Moncton.
People who visited the McDonald’s on Morton Avenue in Moncton between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. from Sept. 28 to Oct. 5. should self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days.
The orange level of restrictions will mean Thanksgiving weekend will look different in Sackville and Tantramar.
On Friday, Premier Blaine Higgs said that in addition to orange level rules, the province is, “discouraging travel in and out of the two impacted zones except for essential reasons. If you live in a different zone and are traveling on the Trans Canada highway which passes through greater Moncton, please do not stop at this time.”
New Brunswick Public Health says the following rules will apply to Zones 1 and 5 as of Saturday, October 10:
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.
Russell tried to provide some encouragement to New Brunswickers as she closed off her remarks on Friday:
“This pandemic might feel like you are out of control, that you don’t have control over the situation. But you can control the individual steps that you take to protect yourself and the people that you love. Be kind and supportive of one another and remember that we are all doing the very best we can in a difficult situation.”
