New Brunswickers respond to call for help with province's pandemic response
The New Brunswick government issued an urgent call for volunteers Tuesday and, in less than 24 hours, more than 1,600 residents responded to the plea for help with the province’s pandemic response.
“We are encouraged to see so many New Brunswickers step up and answer our call in one day,” said Health Minister Dorothy Shephard.
“Please pass along the word to neighbours, family members and friends to see if they can also give us a helping hand in this fight against the Omicron variant.”
The province is looking to fill both clinical and non-clinical positions.
The clinical work includes:
- administering vaccinations
- COVID-19 testing
- patient services
- personal support work
The non-clinical work includes:
- clerical support
- office administration
- logistical support
- data entry
- customer service
- food preparation and delivery
Those interested in volunteering are asked to complete an online form. Each volunteer will be contacted, but priority will be given to people who can fill areas of highest need.
VACCINATIONS
Since Jan. 10, more than 38,000 appointments have been booked with the regional health authorities for booster doses of an mRNA vaccine. The health authorities have more than 30,000 appointments available between now and Jan. 31. In addition, pharmacies have received nearly 44,000 doses for their COVID-19 clinics.
Fifty-seven per cent of New Brunswickers 50 and over have received a booster; the number increases to 68 per cent among those 60 and over.
Children aged five to 11, who have already received their first dose of the vaccine, will soon be eligible to receive their second dose once eight weeks have passed since their first dose.
To date, 52.6 per cent of children in this age group have received their first dose, leaving about 25,000 children who have not.
HOSPITALIZATIONS
The province announced an additional four COVID-19 related deaths Wednesday. The deaths involved:
- a person in their 70s in Zone 1 (Moncton region)
- a person in their 60s in Zone 3 (Fredericton region)
- a person in their 70s in Zone 4 (Edmundston region)
- a person 90 and over in Zone 4 (Edmundston region)
According to public health, 123 people are in hospital with COVID-19 Wednesday, 11 of whom are intensive care. Of those currently hospitalized, 67 were admitted for reasons other than COVID-19.
Of those in hospital:
- 55 per cent of the 11 patients in intensive care are either unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or it has been more than six months since their second dose.
- 98 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 are 60 or older
- six people are on a ventilator
- four people 19 or under are hospitalized
The seven-day rolling average of hospitalizations is available on the COVID-19 dashboard.
Public health says there are currently 342 health-care workers who have tested positive for the virus and are isolating.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Her SUV was stolen in Montreal. A Good Samaritan on Facebook helped her get it back
Just as she had feared, a restaurant owner from eastern Quebec who visited Montreal had her SUV stolen, but says it was all thanks to the kindness of strangers on the internet — not the police — that she got it back.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.