New Brunswick reinstates restrictions amid the worst of the fourth wave so far
As of 11:59 on Friday, New Brunswick has returned to a state of emergency due to a rising number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
The province dropped all COVID-19 related restrictions on July 30, but during a technical briefing on Friday, Horizon Health’s infectious disease specialist Dr. Gordon Dow acknowledged that decision was a mistake.
"Did we under call this one? I would say yes and I would say most of New Brunswickers would agree with that," said Dow.
"But I would also say that we got it right 85 per cent of the time and now what we’re going to do is pivot and bring this under control."
New Brunswick reported 61 new cases on Saturday and one death. There are 32 people currently in hospital with the virus and 12 are in an intensive care unit.
In an effort to control the spread, the province is enforcing additional restrictions which include asking people to limit their contacts to their household plus 20 consistent contacts. That number also applies to indoor private gatherings.
Physical distancing is being enforced again in businesses, during services, or at events where proof of vaccination isn’t required.
Jean-Claude D’amours, the MLA for the Edmundston Madawaska Centre, says he has heard from many health care workers who are feeling the strain of the fourth wave.
"They are all saying that they are stressed to a level that they have rarely seen, entering this crisis."
With the increased need for COVID-19 testing, the province now requires even more health care workers to help keep up with the demand and prevent delays.
"In some areas, it takes longer than others to get tested but this is not acceptable. We need to be quick and make sure that the test is done quickly and that the result is provided quickly," said D’amours.
Since proof of vaccination is not currently required for employees of businesses, business owners are busy making sure their staff receives rapid tests regularly.
John Wishart, the CEO of the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce, said that they’ve been contacted now more than ever for rapid tests.
"They have to ask their employees to be vaccinated or regularly tested. In the last week, we’ve had 200 businesses reach out to us which is a huge spike."
With 78.9 percent of the eligible population fully vaccinated, the province has pointed to public health measures being the best defense against the new strain of the Delta variant, which has made up for 85 percent of the cases this month.
"It’s the fastest spreading variant so far," said Dow.
He expects that with these new measures in place, the province will be able to flatten the curve within two weeks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.