New Brunswick’s chief medical officer of health announced Monday 100 new cases of COVID-19 and confirmed a number of Omicron variant cases in the province, all of which she says are related to St. Francis Xavier University outbreak in Antigonish, N.S.
There are two Omicron cases in Zone 7, one in Zone 1 and four other cases in these zones previously reported.
“This is concerning because there are traits of Omicron we don’t know yet. We must take precautions,” Dr. Jennifer Russell said at a briefing on Monday. “This version of COVID-19 is much more transferable than other versions.”
Russell said the Omicron variant is 30 per cent more transmissible than the Delta version, which is the prominent version in New Brunswick.
“We don’t know if (the Omicron version) will lead to stronger or milder cases,” she said.
As of Monday, there have been two deaths due to the virus and 1,048 active cases.
Health Minister Dorothy Shephard said there are 41 people in hospital; 14 in ICU and five on ventilators.
She said that the COVID-19 booster vaccine does will add an additional protection to omicron and is encouraging eligible New Brunswickers above the age of 50 to get it.
New restrictions to be put in place
Premier Blaine Higgs announced several measures to be put in place due to Omicron variant cases being confirmed in the province.
He said students in kindergarten to Grade 6 will go on holiday break this Friday instead of next week, adding that all sports and organized activities for children under 12 years old are suspended as of tonight.
Higgs also said that entertainment centres, such as movie theatres and casinos, will be required to operate at 50 per cent capacity. Restaurants, spas, and business will also need to enforce social distancing and proof of vaccination.
“Depending on how things change in our province in the coming days and weeks, we may require further restrictions,” said Higgs. “We cannot let our guard down now. We need to stay very focused and manage ourselves accordingly.”
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