N.B.'s top doc concerned about number of unvaccinated people testing positive for COVID-19
For the second time since lifting the mandatory order and removing pandemic-related restrictions, New Brunswick has seen a double-digit rise in COVID-19 case counts over a two-day reporting period.
Nearly 30 cases have been identified as of Saturday, when the province moved into the green phase of its pandemic recovery, and the province's top doctor says the majority of recent cases are among those who are not fully protected.
"I am very concerned, in the sense that most of the cases since early July have been in people that have been unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated," says Dr. Jennifer Russell, New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health.
As of Tuesday, 68.1 per cent of the eligible population is fully vaccinated, however the province had originally said that all restrictions would be lifted when that number had reached 75 per cent. The percentage of first-doses is now at 82.3 per cent.
"I'm hoping, the idea that we still have under 20 per cent that aren't vaccinated at all, that they will start to rethink that," says premier Blaine Higgs, speaking to reporters on Monday afternoon in Fredericton.
Amid climbing cases in the province and a long list of possible exposure notifications, Dr. Russell says they're following the situation very closely.
"These freedoms and this transition period is something we don't take lightly, we don't take for granted," says Dr. Russell.
"But the trade-off, was supposed to be that the population would get vaccinated at 75 per cent level with two doses at a minimum."
New Brunswick lifted its mandatory order at 11:59 p.m. on Friday night, marking an end to all COVID-related restrictions, however, some do continue to maintain mask wearing.
"I'm going to different stores and I'm surprised…how many people are still wearing a mask," says opposition health critic JC D'Amours.
"I think this is a good sign that there's many people that want to take an extra step to be safe and stay safe."
There are now 44 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.