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
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.