N.B. reports 8 new COVID-19 deaths, slight increase in hospitalizations
New Brunswick is reporting eight new COVID-19-related deaths in its latest reporting period.
Since the start of the pandemic, New Brunswick has reported 856 deaths related to the virus.
The data in Tuesday’s report covers between March 12 and March 18.
HOSPITALIZATIONS
The number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 increased to 17 this week, compared to 15 in last week's report.
As of Saturday, two people were being treated in intensive care.
The report says, since Aug. 28, 2022, the rate of hospitalizations is highest among people aged 70 and older.
NEW CASES
Health officials are reporting 313 new cases during the seven-day period, compared to 388 in the province's last report.
According to the data, 1,442 tests were completed during the current reporting period.
The regional breakdown of newly recorded COVID-19 cases is as follows:
- Zone 1: 83
- Zone 2: 72
- Zone 3: 63
- Zone 4: 20
- Zone 5: 19
- Zone 6: 35
- Zone 7: 21
SELF-REPORTED RAPID TESTS
New Brunswick provides the number of positive self-reported rapid tests in each reporting period.
Between March 12 and March 18, 123 rapid tests were reported to health officials.
The breakdown of those tests is as follows:
- Zone 1: 46
- Zone 2: 31
- Zone 3: 33
- Zone 4: 3
- Zone 5: 1
- Zone 6: 5
- Zone 7: 4
COVID-19 VARIANTS IN THE PROVINCE
Health officials in New Brunswick say a recent random sample sequenced between March 6 and March 13 shows 55 per cent of positive cases were the XBB variant.
Thirty-nine per cent were the BA.5 variant, five per cent were BA.2 and one per cent was "other."
The province says 178 specimens were used for the sample.
VACCINATIONS
As of Saturday, 91 per cent of people in New Brunswick had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, 85.9 per cent had at least two doses, 54.7 per cent had one booster and 30.4 per cent had two boosters.
The province's full weekly report, along with previous reports, can be found online.
For full coverage of New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.