New Brunswick announced Friday 682 new cases of COVID-19 and said that it’s changing the way it is managing and responding to COVID-19 as cases continue to rise.
In a briefing, Premier Blaine Higgs also announced that he tested positive for COVID-19 after taking a rapid test.
He attended the briefing via Zoom and said he and his family are isolating.
Higgs will also be getting a PCR test to confirm his diagnosis.
In the meantime, he said he’s doing well and is only experiencing symptoms of a cold.
The premier is double-vaccinated and has also received his booster dose.
Health Minister Dorothy Shephard, who attended the briefing in person, said even though hospitalizations remain low, that is likely to change in the coming days or week.
As a result, the health authorities will be moving to emergency services and surgeries only to make sure the health-care system has enough capacity to respond to COVID-19.
“Unfortunately, Omicron is worsening staff shortages in the health system,” said Shephard.
The province’s top doctor, Dr. Jennifer Russell, said as COVID-19 continues to evolve, public health will also be evolving in the way it is managing the situation.
“Our goal was to contain the virus. With Omicron, that is no longer possible,” Russell said.
Beginning on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022 at 11:59 p.m., she said public health will be changing the criteria for PCR testing. PCR tests will be reserved for:
- People in areas at highest risk, including health-care workers and those who live or work in long-term care facilities, homeless shelters and correctional facilities.
- People who are symptomatic and aged 50 and over.
- People who are symptomatic and immunocompromised or pregnant.
- People who need a PCR test for travel.
- People who are identified as a priority by Public Health.
Everyone else, including those who are symptomatic but under 50 and do not live in a vulnerable setting, will be advised to take point-of-care rapid tests when symptomatic, the province said.
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A positive rapid test will be treated as a positive result for COVID-19 and people will be asked to register their result through a new form that will be available online next week. They will also need to follow new isolation guidelines.
Russell said vaccinated people who test positive will face a lower isolation period of five days while unvaccinated people will face a period of 10.
Upon release from isolation, people must wear a mask continually and avoid vulnerable settings.
“Transmission of the virus can happen even after the isolation period is over,” said Russell.
Russell said there is plenty of supply for vaccines, specifically Moderna, for booster doses and is encouraging people to book their appointments.
Schools
Education Minister Dominic Cardy announced that due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, students will not return to public schools on Jan. 10 but will move to home learning beginning Jan. 11. This measure will remain in place for at least two weeks and will then be assessed weekly.
“I know this situation is not ideal,” Cardy said in a release. “In-person learning is more effective for many students. I know students rely on services and programs for mental health and food security that are delivered through the schools.”
According to the province, the current interim measures for school sports and extracurricular activities will remain in place during this time. These measures include no organized sport or other organized activities for children under 12. For those 12 and older, practices and skills drills are permitted involving only one team at a time.
Cardy also announced new Public Health guidance for early childhood education facilities. Although a child or staff member will still not be permitted to attend if a new or worsening symptom develops, they will now be able to return once they have a negative rapid test.
“Children or staff with a constant and recurring symptom, such as seasonal allergies, may continue attending without a test,” the province added.
New cases and one death
Public health is reporting 190 recoveries and 682 new cases of COVID-19 Friday.
There are 21 people in intensive care and another 24 are in hospital for a total of 45 people hospitalized. Of those in hospital, 29 are over the age of 60 and 11 people are on a ventilator.
Of the new cases Friday, 228 are in Zone 1 (Moncton region), 265 are in Zone 2 (Saint John region), 43 are in Zone 3 (Fredericton region), 100 are in Zone 4 (Edmundston region), three are in Zone 5 (Campbellton region), 26 are in Zone 6 (Bathurst region) and 17 are in Zone 7 (Miramichi region).
A person 50-59 in Zone 2 (Saint John region) has died as a result of COVID-19.
Public health reported Friday that 82.9 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, 90.2 per cent have received their first dose of a vaccine and 20.3 per cent have received a booster dose.
To preserve the supply of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for future booster clinics for those aged 12 to 29, the province said “current eligible groups will be offered Moderna at booster clinics, regardless of which vaccine was administered for previous doses.”
COVID-19 cases confirmed at a correctional facility
Correctional Service Canada (CSC) reported Friday that three inmates and seven staff members at Atlantic Institution have tested positive for COVID-19.
The correctional facility said in a release that COVID-19 testing is being offered to inmates and staff. Employees are also required to do a rapid test and provide a negative result before entering the site to prevent possible spread at the institution.
“This is an evolving situation and we will continue to apply and reinforce infection prevention and control measures to prevent and contain the spread of COVID-19,” said CSC.
“All staff and inmates are equipped with masks, and we have increased cleaning and disinfecting throughout the site.”
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