ATLANTIC

N.B. reports 36 new cases of COVID-19; largest one-day case count since pandemic began

CTV Atlantic

Brandon Young CTVNewsAtlantic.ca writer

Published Sunday, January 17, 2021 2:48PM AST Last Updated Monday, January 18, 2021 10:55AM AST

Text:

HALIFAX -- New Brunswick is reporting 36 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the number of active cases in the province to 292, the largest number of active cases in the province since the pandemic began.

“It's extremely disappointing to be here today,” said Premier Blaine Higgs on Sunday during a press conference. “Numbers are not where they need to be.”

On Sunday, the province announced the cases, which chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell says is nearly one-third of cases reported in the province during the past ten months. Additionally, the province announced the majority of 24 cases located in Zone 4 (Edmundston region) are linked to a single workplace.

The cases have been identified in the Moncton region, Saint John region, Fredericton region, Edmundston region, and the Bathurst region.

The five cases case in Zone 1 (Moncton) involve:

Two individuals 19 and under
An individual in their 20s
An individual in their 40s
An individual in their 70s

The four cases in Zone 2 (Saint John) involve:

An individual 19 and under
An individual in their 20s
Two individuals in their 90s

The two cases in Zone 3 (Fredericton) involve:

Two individuals in their 20s

The 24 cases in Zone 4 (Edmundston) involve:

Three individuals 19 and under
Three individuals in their 30s
Four individuals in their 40s
Ten individuals in their 50s
Four individuals in their 60s

The one case in Zone 6 (Bathurst) involves:

An individual in their 20s

New Brunswick Health says all cases are self-isolating and being investigated.

As of Sunday, more than 2000 New Brunswickers are self-isolating.

“We are responding to limit the severity of this outbreak, but to bring this under control we need every New Brunswicker to contribute,” said Dr. Russell. “If you have to go out to obtain food and other essentials, keep your outings brief and return home as soon as you can.”

ZONE FOUR TO MOVE TO RED ALERT ZONE

“We have seen what has happened in other jurisdictions when the increase in active cases is not dealt with quickly and decisively,” said Higgs. “We don’t want that to happen here, but if we are going to avoid it we must do our part.”

Zone 4 will move to a red alert zone effective Monday.

“The next step after red is total lockdown,” said Higgs, warning residents in Zone 4 of the severity of the situation in the region.

SCHOOLS TO STAY OPEN DURING RED LEVEL

The province says K-12 schools will remain open even at the Red level. This will be done with enhanced health and safety measures including:

Students and staff stay home if they have even one symptom of COVID-19.
School staff are actively screened for COVID-19 when they report to work each day.
If a positive case of COVID-19 is confirmed at a school in the Red level, the school will be closed for a minimum of three days to allow for contact tracing. The school would also become a testing site for school staff.

Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Dominic Cardy discussed what the new phase will mean for schools.

'I know these new cases add to the stress that families across NB are currently feeling,' said Cardy. “It's going to be a difficult few weeks coming up. Important not to let our guard down right now.”

Cardy pleaded with New Brunswickers to follow COVID-19 protocol by social distancing, wearing a mask, washing their hands.

“When students are at school, they are in a supervised environment with strict health and safety protocols in place,” said Cardy. “Their social needs can be met, while maintaining physical distancing, using masks, and being encouraged to maintain proper hygiene. That is why, with the support and recommendations of Public Health, we have made changes to our Return to School plan ensuring schools can stay open during the red phase.”

SCHOOLS IMPACTED BY COVID-19

Cardy said COVID-19 cases have been confirmed at four schools on Saturday and Sunday in Zones 1 and 2.

Anyone who has been in close contact with a case will be notified by Public Health for contact tracing. If residents do not hear directly from Public Health, they have not been identified as a close contact.

Zone 2 (Saint John region) - A positive case of COVID-19 has been confirmed at Millidgeville North School in Saint John. Another positive case was confirmed at Belleisle Elementary School in Springfield. Both school communities have been notified and the schools will be open on Monday. Unless advised by Public Health, students should return to school.
Zone 1 (Moncton region) - A positive case of COVID-19 has been confirmed at Riverview East School in Riverview and the school community has been notified. School staff will contact families directly to inform them of any impact on learning.
A positive case of COVID-19 was also confirmed at Caledonia Regional High School in Hillsborough and the school community has been notified. School staff will contact families directly to inform them of any impact on learning. On Sunday all of the school’s students and staff were asked to stay home as contact tracing was carried out.

CASE BREAKDOWN

New Brunswick has had 947 cumulative cases of COVID-19; 642 cases are considered recovered, and there have been 12 deaths.

There is currently one person in hospital due to COVID-19.

As of Sunday, New Brunswick has conducted 172,708 tests.

CASE LOCATIONS

The number of cases are broken down by New Brunswick's seven health zones:

Zone 1 – Moncton region: 232 total confirmed cases (63 active cases)
Zone 2 – Saint John region: 191 total (55 active cases)
Zone 3 – Fredericton region: 208 total (57 active cases)
Zone 4 – Edmundston region: 113 total (76 active cases)
Zone 5 – Campbellton region: 176 total (34 active cases)
Zone 6 – Bathurst region: 21 total (7 active cases)
Zone 7 – Miramichi region: 6 total (0 active cases)

COVID ALERT APP

New Brunswick's chief doctor said on Monday that only nine per cent of the province has downloaded Canada's COVID-19 Alert app, and is encouraging more New Brunswickers to download the app.

The app, which can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or Google Play, notifies users if they may have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.