Dr. Russell confident with N.B. testing numbers, despite consistently lower than other provinces
On Tuesday, New Brunswick conducted 593 COVID-19 tests while Nova Scotia completed 2,564.
Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province's chief medical officer of health, says New Brunswick has relied on the Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, considered the most accurate tool to determine if a person has the virus, while Nova Scotia also uses the rapid test.
"We have always really tried to maintain our minimum threshold for being confident with our data in terms of PCR testing and when you look at positivity rates, we've been comfortable with our positivity rate as well," she said.
She says while testing is still important, her focus is on encouraging more people to get vaccinated.
"Our protection is really coming from our vaccination rates and that's why it's really important to get them as high as possible," she said.
New Brunswick doctors are hoping to see testing numbers remain steady.
"The increase in COVID-19 cases over the past few days indicates the virus is still present amongst us," said Dr. Jeff Steeves of the New Brunswick Medical Society. "If you are experience any of the COVID-19 symptoms or have been potentially exposed to COVID-19, it is critical you get tested."
The province may not be using rapid tests, but businesses are, with help from the Edmundston, Saint John, Moncton and Fredericton chambers of commerce.
They're providing rapid tests to businesses with fewer than 300 employees. Last week, the Fredericton chamber alone distributed almost 1,000 testing kits – and they believe demand will only increase to give employers, employees and customers peace of mind as restrictions loosen.
In August, the Fredericton International Airport will be adopting a testing program similar to the one at the Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport.
It's voluntary for travelers, but it will cost between $149 and $299 per test.
Dr. Russell says one restriction is still in place under the Public Health Act.
"We're not Alberta, we're New Brunswick and we are doing contact tracing," she said. "And when public health tells you to self-isolate for 10 days, you have to self-isolate for 10 days.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
BREAKING 14 suspects arrested in grandparent scam targeting seniors across Canada: Ontario police
An interprovincial investigation into an 'emergency grandparents scam' that targeted seniors across Canada has led to the arrest of 14 suspects, Ontario Provincial Police say.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
B.C. child killer's lawyer walks out of review hearing
The lawyer representing child-killer Allan Schoenborn walked out of his client's annual review hearing Wednesday – abruptly ending proceedings marked by tense exchanges and several outbursts.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Juror dismissed in Trump hush money trial as prosecutors ask for former president to face contempt
Prosecutors in the hush money trial of Donald Trump asked Thursday for the former president to be held in contempt and fined because of seven social media posts that they said violated a judge's gag order barring him from attacking witnesses.
Why drivers in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada will see a gas price spike, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
It's the biggest election in history. Here's why few Indians in Canada will take part
In the Indian general election that gets underway on Friday, almost a billion people are eligible to vote, but a vast majority of the overseas Indian community in Canada won't be casting a ballot.