Doctors in hard-hit N.B. region warn COVID situation risks becoming unmanageable

Doctors in northwestern New Brunswick say they fear the COVID-19 situation in the region could get quickly out of control.

Several doctors held a news conference Wednesday urging people in the hard-hit Edmundston area to follow COVID-19 guidelines, get tested and to stay home if they feel ill.

READ MORE: Several doctors held a news conference Wednesday urging people in the hard-hit Edmundston area to follow COVID-19 guidelines

Some say they’re concerned part of the local population doesn’t believe in the seriousness of the pandemic and isn’t interested in getting tested.

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

The Edmundston region has been under a 14-day lockdown that began Sunday and has nearly half the 339 active reported COVID-19 infections in the province.

2:23 N.B. top doctor offering words of guidance and encouragement during COVID-19 pandemic

Dr. Jean-Philippe Lepage, an internist at the Edmundston Regional Hospital, says if projections hold, hospitals could become overwhelmed with COVID patients.

Lepage says the situation is worse in nursing homes than in hospitals, but says the relatively high number of cases in the community could quickly become unmanageable.