New Brunswick is urging immunocompromised people and those in high priority groups to get their booster shots, as the province reports three more deaths due to COVID-19.
The deaths involve a person in their 70s in Zone 1 (Moncton region) and two people in their 80s in Zone 2 (Saint John region).
As of Tuesday, there are 56 hospitalized with COVID-19, including 16 in intensive care. Of those in hospital, 37 people are over the age of 60 and 11 people are on ventilators, according to the province.
“Our high-priority groups are at the greatest risk of serious illness due to COVID-19,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health in a release.
“The best way to prevent serious illness is to follow public health guidance and get your COVID-19 booster shot.”
Immunocompromised people and those in the following priority groups can book a booster dose if at least five months have passed since their second dose:
- people 50 and older
- First Nations
- residents of nursing homes and adult residential facilities, including their immediate household family members who are 18 or older
- health-care personnel – including those working in long-term care facilities, regional health authorities and Extra-Mural/Ambulance New Brunswick
- school personnel and staff at early childhood education centres and daycares
Based on PCR test results, Public Health is reporting 746 new cases of COVID-19 and 73 recoveries.
As of 11:59 p.m., the province will begin reserving PCR tests for people who are at the highest risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19.
The groups are:
- 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 will be advised to use a rapid test. Those who receive a positive result from a rapid test will be asked to register through a new online form and follow isolation guidelines.
Vaccinated people who have tested positive — as well as vaccinated, asymptomatic, close household contacts — will need to isolate for five days.
Unvaccinated people who have tested positive — as well as unvaccinated, asymptomatic, household contacts — will need to isolate for 10 days.
Close contacts outside of a household will be asked to mask continuously, avoid vulnerable settings and people, and limit their contacts as much as possible for at least 10 days.
If a close contact develops symptoms, they will be asked to use a rapid test unless they meet the requirements for a PCR test.
Officials said there are 571 health-care staff isolating at home due to COVID-19 — up from 530 on Monday.