N.B. has highest COVID-19 test-positivity rate in the country: Public Health Agency of Canada
Figures released by the Public Health Agency of Canada this week shows New Brunswick with the highest COVID-19 test-positivity rate in the country.
According to the agency, between May 1 and 7, New Brunswick had a 30.6 per cent positive PCR test rate. That's more than double the overall Canadian average, which is sitting at 13.3 per cent.
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs says he's thankful symptoms don't tend to be as severe as they were at the beginning of the pandemic.
"We've seen the COVID symptoms that are more in-tune with what we would see from a cold," said Higgs.
Some living in the Fredericton area say they were alarmed by the statistics.
"Why aren't we taking proper precautions? What is our government actually doing? Now the restrictions are off, great, but you have to have other things to keep the sickness down,” said Devin McEvoy, a Fredericton resident.
"We pulled the mask mandate way too early," said Gui Damiani, who lives in Fredericton. "The entire country did, so it's not really a surprise. It's just we didn't know."
"I don't think I'm excited about it - I just heard about it this morning. I'm kind of at the point now where I'm ready to move on," said Fredericton resident Derrick Dort.
New Brunswick Health Minister Dorothy Shephard says a strategy to encourage people to get boosted against COVID-19 is in the works.
"I don't think we're at a point yet of making one-on-one phone calls because we need something a bit more efficient, but the fact is, every chance and every opportunity I get, I want to talk about how valuable boosters are," said Sheppard.
The latest provincial COVID-19 numbers are expected to be released Tuesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.
Trudeau must more publicly support ICC decisions amid Israel-Hamas war: ex-ministers
A group of prominent former politicians and current academics is asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to change his tone on the possibility of arrest warrants for senior Israeli leaders.
Infant dies in ATV crash, N.S. RCMP says alcohol may be a factor
An infant has died and three others, including another child, were taken to hospital following an ATV crash in Forties, N.S., on Monday.
Defence industry, allies call for Canada to increase military investments
Canada's announcement of an $11.2-billion contract to improve training platforms for the military is getting a lukewarm reception at the country's largest defence trade show, as allies and military industry companies want to see more investment from the federal government.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's housing plan defeated in House of Commons
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's housing bill has been defeated in the House of Commons with the Liberals, New Democrats and Bloc Quebecois voting against the legislation.
Police clear intersection of pro-Palestinian protesters on UBC campus
Police cleared pro-Palestinian protesters from a main intersection at the University of British Columbia campus in Vancouver on Wednesday.