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
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.