There are two new cases of COVID-19 reported today in New Brunswick, both in the same special care home in Moncton.
At a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Chief Medical Officer of Health Jennifer Russell said, “for the second time during the COVID-19 pandemic, I’m reporting to you on an outbreak in a special care home in New Brunswick.”
Two residents of Manoir Notre Dame on Murphy Street in Moncton have tested positive for COVID-19. One person is in their 70’s and the other in their 80’s.
Russell said the remaining 110 residents and 56 employees at Manoir Notre Dame are being tested today. She also said that some employees have reported symptoms.
Russell said the Provincial Rapid Outbreak Management Team, or PROMT, is active and focussed on rapid isolation and containment.
Contact tracing is underway, and Russell was unable to say where the two residents may have contracted the virus.
“I’m not shocked or surprised in the sense that the risk will never be zero during a pandemic,” said Russell. “And as you know, we do have increasing cases all around our borders and in other parts of Canada.”
Russell took the time Tuesday to remind New Brunswickers of the importance of public health measures.
“I do not have to remind anyone of the seriousness of this situation,” she said. “All the measures that are in place right now with respect to public health, each one of them is not perfect. And that’s why we have this layered approach.”
Russell listed border measures, self isolation, testing, staying home with symptoms, washing hands and wearing a mask when you can’t physically distance.
“They’re all important because individually not one of them can prevent the spread of COVID-19, but we need to do all of these things, all of the time.”
The Premier echoed Dr. Russell, saying the outbreak at Manoir Notre Dame is a reminder for people to continue wearing masks, washing hands, and staying home when sick.
“Today is also a reminder of why we’re asking to keep the circle of people you interact with reasonably small,” said the Premier.
He said smaller groups of family and friends means if or when someone does get sick, Public Health contact tracing can happen much more quickly, and may help contain the spread.
“Please keep this in mind as you finalize your plans for Thanksgiving weekend,” he said.
