New Brunswick reported 36 new cases of the coronavirus in its largest single-day increase to date, as it announces strict measures for one region.
The province said 24 of the new cases are located in the Edmundston region and most are linked to a workplace exposure.
Zone 4 will be transitioning to the red phase of COVID-19 recovery at midnight on Monday.
“We are asking everyone in Zone 4 to stay home as much as possible in the coming days,” said chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell in a Sunday briefing.
“We are again reminded of how quickly the COVID-19 virus can spread,” Russell said.
While other regions are remaining in the orange phase, Russell said if the situation doesn’t improve, that could change.
“It is very clear that Zones 1, 2 and 3 are on the cusp of moving to the red alert level.”
Premier Blaine Higgs said in the briefing he is disappointed to be here. “The numbers are definitely not where they need to be,” Higgs said.
As of Sunday, New Brunswick has 292 active cases of COVID-19 — nearly a third of all cases reported in the province to date. There are more than 2,100 residents in self-isolation for reasons relating to the virus.
Russell said the next week will reveal whether the province is heading towards a further rise in cases as seen in neighbouring areas like Quebec and Maine.
Russell pleaded with residents to ensure Public Health guidelines are being followed. She said anyone experiencing even minor COVID-19 symptoms like a sniffle, should get tested.
“Be vigilant, be aware, be supportive,” she said. “We can get through this.”
Edmundston schools remain open
Schools in Zone 4, the Edmundston area, will remain open as the zone transitions into the red phase of recovery.
Education Minister Dominic Cardy said in the briefing that four schools are reporting a confirmed COVID-19 case each on Sunday. The schools include Bellisle Elementary, Milligeville North School in Saint John, Riverview East and Caledonia high schools in the Moncton region.
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Cardy said families will be notified by Public Health if their child has been exposed. “No news is good news,” Cardy reiterated.
While the province’s initial plan proposed online learning should a zone move to red, the province has made some adjustments to the rules.
Officials said the decision to keep schools open was made to allow parents to continue working, adding that there is a correlation between economic status and health.
“We made this decision because we know that closing schools and moving learning online has repercussions beyond the classroom,” said Higgs.
Changes to the back to school plan also include stricter measures at schools in the red phase. Students and staff are required to stay home if they have even one symptom, and staff will be actively screened when they report to work each day. The red phase means extracurricular activities will be limited.
“Should a single positive case of COVID-19 be confirmed at a school in the red phase, that school will close for contact tracing to be carried out,” Cardy said in the briefing.
“While I appreciate there will be concern over schools remaining open, I am convinced … that this is the correct approach.”
Cardy said while the majority of New Brunswickers are following the rules, those who aren’t must change their behaviour.
“All we can do is ask you as citizens, you the tiny percentage of the population who are causing these difficulties for so many people, who are isolating in many cases alone, lonely, depressed, suffering. You can each play a part in the pushing back against COVID-19,” he said.
“Follow the rules, two metres social distancing, wear a mask, wash your hands. This is not rocket science,” Cardy said, adding these guidelines have been in place for nearly 10 months.
Higgs said the reason why the virus is moving quickly across the province is that people are carrying it when they move. “To stop it, we must stop moving,” he said. After a red alert, the next measure would be a full lockdown, as seen in Quebec or Ontario.
“We certainly do not want to see a lockdown here,” Higgs said.
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