N.B. official says the COVID-19 situation is stabilizing as health network remains on red alert
Despite there being more than 5000 positive COVID-19 tests reported this past week in New Brunswick, the province’s deputy chief medical officer of health says, overall, the situation seems to be stabilizing.
“With the lifting of the mandatory order and measures on March 14, we were expecting to see an increase in cases as well as hospitalizations from the lifting of the restrictions and that’s what we’ve seen so far,” says Dr. Yves Leger.
“We feel that we’re reaching our peak as we expected around mid-April and hopefully in the coming weeks we’ll start to see things improve.”
Meanwhile, the Vitalité Health Network has released an update saying that the consistently high number of COVID-19 cases is forcing the health authority to remain at the red alert level — with more than 240 of its workers off due to either testing positive or because of a contact.
“The measures taken to protect patients, designated support persons (DSPs), and health-care workers remain unchanged in all network facilities,” reads a news update from Vitalité.
The number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations in the province still stands at 79, which is where it was during the last reporting period.
Of those, four are children who are under the age of 10. Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 26 admissions in that age category.
“I think while every hospitalization is concerning, I think for us looking at the bigger picture means that this is quite a rare occurrence,” says Leger.
The New Brunswick Medical Society is also looking to remind New Brunswickers to use caution when it comes to COVID-19, and to consider wearing masks indoors, as the pandemic continues to take a toll on the province’s health care system.
But there is a sense of optimism.
“I won’t say we’re in any worse shape than we were a week or two ago,” says president Dr. Mark MacMillan. “We’re looking towards a positive light for the future which is hopeful — and I’m hoping we reach that light soon.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.
Fish oil supplements may raise risk of stroke, heart issues, study suggests
As an excellent source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, daily fish oil supplements are a popular way to keep the risk of cardiovascular disease at bay.
Private island on Nova Scotia's South Shore listed for $15.8M
A private island on Nova Scotia’s South Shore has been listed for sale with a $11.5-million USD price tag.
U.K. prime minister calls national election for July 4
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a national election on Wednesday, naming July 4 as the date for a vote his governing Conservatives are widely expected to lose to the opposition Labour Party after 14 years in power.
'Happy tears' of victim's sister after prison attack on serial killer Robert Pickton
Cynthia Cardinal said she was 'overwhelmed' with happiness when she received a text message on Monday with the news that serial killer Robert Pickton, who murdered her sister, was attacked in prison. She called it 'karma.'
Montreal photographer captures dramatic Canada goose vs. fox fight on video
A Montreal photographer captured the moment a Canada goose defended itself from a fox at the Botanical Garden.
'On the edge of failing': Most of Canada gets a 'D' on poverty report cards
Poverty and food insecurity have worsened in most of Canada in the past year and most provincial governments aren't doing enough to address the problem, according to a just-released series of report cards.
Blood vial delivery prompts evacuation of Republican headquarters in Washington
The Republican National Committee's headquarters in Washington was briefly evacuated on Wednesday morning after a suspicious package containing two vials of blood was delivered to the building, the police and the RNC said.
World's most expensive feather sells at New Zealand auction
A feather from a long-extinct New Zealand bird has set a record after selling for $46,521 NZD (about US$28,400), the auction house handling the sale has said.