HALIFAX -- New Brunswick is reporting two new cases of COVID-19 – bringing the number of active cases to 98.

On Saturday, the province issued a release detailing the new cases.

The cases include:

  • One individual in their 50s in Zone 2 (Saint John region)
  • One individual in their 40s in Zone 4 (Edmundston region)

Both cases are self-isolating and under investigation.

As of Saturday, 132,519 COVID-19 tests have been conducted in New Brunswick.

To date, the number of confirmed cases in the province is 530, of which 425 have recovered; there have been seven deaths – leaving 98 active cases. One person is hospitalized in an intensive care unit.

HOLIDAY RESTRICTIONS

The 2020 holiday season will look extremely different for business owners hoping to maintain during a time when restrictions are aplenty.

"We're very adaptable," says The Radical Edge outdoor adventure equipment shop manager, Kaylee Hopkins. "If you don't change, you die. So, if we can stay adaptable and keep rolling with the punches, I think we're in good shape."

New Brunswick's guidelines for the holidays have been laid out, and all eyes are on Zones 1 and Zone 3 – areas both in the Orange phase of the province's COVID-19 recovery plan – to see if they will return to the Yellow phase before Christmas.

"We'd much prefer to have a yellow Christmas than an orange or a red one. I know that the opportunity exists for us, unlike it exists in other provinces as we've seen," said New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs during a press conference on Thursday. "We can get back to the norm in COVID-19. We know that vaccines are just around the corner, so we just have to be diligent. So, let's prepare for Christmas, but let's not get impatient – let's make sure that we can get back to yellow."

Areas in the Orange Zone are reminded that holiday guidelines mean:

  • Face masks are mandatory in public spaces, both indoors and outdoors
  • Parades are not permitted
  • Santa visits are not allowed
  • Gift wrapping services are not available

"If you are feeling ill or have any symptoms, please stay home," says Hopkins, urging anyone who feels unwell to not visit shops. "We have a pretty limited staff here, so we want to make sure that all of our staff stay healthy and that we can stay open to help serve you for your holiday needs."

Meanwhile, safety is on the top of the list for most everyone – hoping for a safe and happy holiday season during unprecedented times.

"I'm originally from Halifax," says resident Keri Fulton. "So, unfortunately, I do not get to spend time with my family this holiday, but I'm pretty okay with that, just to make sure I'm staying safe. And here [in New Brunswick], I do have a one-household bubble, so I'll be spending the holidays with them."

CASES THROUGHOUT NEW BRUNSWICK

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

Zone 1 – Moncton region: 144 confirmed cases (15 active cases)

Zone 2 – Saint John region: 121 confirmed cases (57 active cases)

Zone 3 – Fredericton region: 100 confirmed cases (16 active cases)

Zone 4 – Edmundston region: 14 confirmed cases (6 active cases)

Zone 5 – Campbellton region: 137 confirmed cases

Zone 6 – Bathurst region: 10 confirmed cases (4 active cases)

Zone 7 – Miramichi region: 4 confirmed cases

Residents can take an online self-assessment if they are experiencing mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms.

VEHICLE TRAFFIC INFORMATION

New Brunswick's online dashboard includes information about vehicle traffic attempting to enter the New Brunswick border.

On Friday, 2,372 personal and 1,135 commercial vehicles attempted to cross the border into the province.

Of the vehicles attempting to cross the border, 21 were refused entry, for a refusal rate of 0.6 per cent.