N.B. moves parts of Edmundston region to red alert level, 30 new COVID-19 cases reported

New Brunswick health officials are moving parts of the Edmundston region back to the red alert level of COVID-19 recovery.

The province is reporting 30 new COVID-19 cases, 24 of which are in the Edmundston region.

“This is the largest number we have reported in a single day in two months,” said chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell in a Thursday briefing

Russell said the rising number of cases in the Edmundston region is concerning, and slowing the spread of the virus requires a “new commitment.”

Effective at 6 p.m. on Thursday, the city of Edmundston and surrounding communities will be at the red level. The measure will be in effect for a minimum of four days.

“This is a circuit-breaker and it is designed to arrest the spread of the virus,” Russell said in the briefing.

“The number of COVID-19 cases in the Edmundston area has doubled and doubled again in less than two weeks.”

Russell said lab results have confirmed that the B.1.1.7. variant of COVID-19, first detected in the U.K., is responsible for 62 per cent of the cases in the Edmundston region.

“We are investigating three chains of unlinked transmission in that area and now we have confirmed cases of community spread.”

However, Russell noted that sometimes it can take several weeks to complete interviews and determine a link between cases.

Individuals in the Edmundston region are, as of Thursday evening, required to limit their close contacts to a single household bubble. Masks are mandatory in both indoor and outdoor public spaces. Entertainment venues must close, Russell said, as well as gyms, hair salons and barber shops. Restaurants can operate through take-out or delivery only.

“It is imperative that we all share the workload of trying to get this outbreak under control,” Russell said.

“I’m appealing directly to the people of the Edmundston area to reduce your close contacts… and follow very, very precisely the advice of public health when they are in contact with you.”

The province is ramping up testing efforts in the area and is offering mass testing to those with no COVID-19 symptoms and who have not been directed by public health.

Testing will be available Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Saint-Basile arena, at 275 Principale St.

People with symptoms are not permitted to attend the mass testing clinic, and must call 811 to book an appointment.

2:01 New Brunswick expands vaccine rollout to rotational workers, truck drivers

In addition to 24 cases in Zone 4, the province also reported five travel-related cases in the Saint John region and one in the Bathurst region.

There are 89 active cases of COVID-19 in New Brunswick and 635 people are self-isolating.

The number of confirmed cases in New Brunswick is 1,546 and the number of recoveries is 1,426.

Beginning Thursday, people 40 years of age and over, with three or more chronic conditions, may begin booking vaccination appointments for April. Those eligible are asked to review the province’s list of chronic conditions prior to making an appointment and to print a copy of the declaration form.

Russell said that although vulnerable populations are getting their vaccines, the COVID-19 variant puts everyone at higher risk.

“Everyone needs to take this seriously… the variant is putting younger people who are at risk of needing hospitalization, and in fact ICU,” she said.

Russell also pleaded New Brunswickers scheduled to receive a vaccine in Edmundston to not cancel their appointment.

“When your turn comes, I implore everyone to take the vaccine that is offered to them,” she said.

“They are effective and safe.”

Russell said this includes the AstraZeneca vaccine which has raised eyebrows in recent weeks due to rare reports of potential blood-clotting and bleeding after receiving it.

“The benefits provided by this vaccine far outweigh the risks,” Russell said.