N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 60 new cases; outbreaks declared at 3 First Nations communities

The New Brunswick government has declared COVID-19 outbreaks on three First Nations in the Miramichi region.

The outbreakswere detected by Public Health inMetepenagiag First Nation (Red Bank), Natoaganeg First Nation (Eel Ground), and Esgenopetitj First Nation (Burnt Church).

The province's rapid outbreak teams has been deployed to assist the communities and speed up testing.

Eight of the cases are in Esgenopetitj, four were discovered inNatoaganeg and two were found inMetepenagiag.

Natoaganeg Chief George Ginnish said it's the first time there have been so many active cases in their community.

"Our communities are small and vulnerable," he said. "To put the extra effort into testing to make sure the four cases are the only, that makes sense to us."

He added that it's importantfor peopleto remember their region remains under circuit breaker measures.

"We feel that it is contained and that all the individuals are isolating and following the public health guidelines,"said MetepenagiagChief Bill Ward in an interview.

The community's elementary school and daycare are closed. The school has already been closed for around two weeks after a cluster of three peoplebecame infected.

Residents are also being asked to stick to their family bubbles and to avoid non-essential travel.

Mass testing couldbe announced soon, he said.

The community has declared COVID-19 cases before, announcing nine inSeptember. At the time the cluster wasn't classified as an outbreak by Public Health, Ward said.

"I believe this time there are way more cases in Zone 7 than there [was] beforeand it continues to grow everyday," he said.

"We have the cases contained. When you use the word outbreak people will assume that it's out of control and there's no handle on it, but that's not the case. It's just a declaration to be used to be able to provide more services."

Similar measures are in place inNatoaganeg, Ginnish said.

60 new cases declared

The province reported 60 new cases of the virus in a media release issued Saturday.

Eighty-nine people are listed as recovered, bringing the number of active cases in the province to551.Tests done so far during the pandemic total536,123, including1,049 done since Friday's update.

Thirty-nine cases are among those who are unvaccinatedwhile 35 are among those fully vaccinated, the release states.

Twenty-two people are in hospital, including 11 in intensive care. Of the 22 in hospital, 16 are unvaccinated, one is partially vaccinated and five are fully vaccinated.

No one under the age of 19 is in the hospital because of the virus.

The province reports that 86.5 per centof eligible New Brunswickersare fully vaccinated against COVID-19, up from86.3 per cent,and 93.1 per centhave at least one dose, up from 93 per cent the day prior.

Breakdown of new cases

The 60 cases of COVID-19 were reported across five health regions, with the highest concentration in the Miramichi region.

Eighteen cases were also detected in those under the age of 19.

The new cases break down like this:

Moncton region, Zone 1, 17 cases:

• Seven people under the age of 19.
• Two people 20-29.
• A person 30-39.
• A person 40-49.
• Two people 60-69.
• Four people 70-79.

Fourteen cases remainunder investigation, whilethree are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Saint John region, Zone 2, 14 cases:

• Four people under the age of 19.
• Two people 20-29.
• A person 30-39.
• Four people 40-49.
• Two people 60-69.
• a person 80-89.

Six of the cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases, and eight are under investigation.

Fredericton region, Zone 3, eight cases:

• Three people 20-29.
• Two people 30-39.
• A person 50-59.
• Two people 70-79.

Six cases are under investigation and two are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Bathurst region, Zone 6, three cases:

• A person 40-49.
• A person 50-59.
• A person 60-69.

All three remainunder investigation.

Miramichi region, Zone 7, 18cases:

• Seven people under the age of 19.
• Two people 20-29.
• Three people 30-39.
• A person 40-49.
• Three people 50-59.
• Two people 70-79.

Sixteen cases are under investigation, and two are the contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Public exposure notices

The province shared new public exposure notices on Saturday.

The new exposure sites include:

Moncton region,Zone 1:

• Nov. 9 between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Massa Hair Studio(279-D Amirault St., Dieppe)

Saint John region, Zone 1:

• Nov. 8 to 10 Delta Hotels by Marriot(39 King St., Saint John)
• Nov. 5 between 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Fairview Lanes(87 Landsdowne Ave., Saint John)

Fredericton region, Zone 3:

• Nov. 9 between 8 and 9 a.m. Sobeys(375 Miramichi Rd., Oromocto)

People who have not been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to a possible exposure and who have symptoms should still get a COVID lab test. They can book an appointmentonlineor call Tele-Care 811 and must isolate while waiting for their test result.

People who are not fully vaccinated and do not have symptoms, are now being instructed to pick up anAt-Home COVID-19 Rapid Point of Care Test(Rapid POCT) screening kit. They do not need to isolate if they have not been directed by Public Health to do so.

All positive point-of-care test results must be confirmed with a laboratory polymerase chain reaction, orPCR, test.

It can take up to 14 days to test positive after being exposed to COVID-19, so even if their results comes back negative, they should continue to self-monitor for any symptoms and get tested immediately if any develop.

They should also avoid visiting settings with vulnerable populations, such as nursing homes, correctional facilities and shelters during that 14-day period.

For people who have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to a possible exposure, Public Health recommends they monitor for symptoms for 14 days after the possible exposure and get a COVID lab test if symptoms develop.

They do not need to isolate while they wait for their test results.

If they do not have symptoms, they can pick up a rapid test kit and do not need to isolate.

Circuit breakers

The province reminds New Brunswickers that circuit breaker measures remain in place for some areas of the Moncton and Miramichi regions.

They includeMoncton, Dieppe and Riverview, where measures have been extended until Nov. 19.

The measures also extend to all of the Miramichi region,with the exception of Black River Bridge and communities to the east, Murray Settlement and areas south, and New Jersey and communities north.

"Enforcement is being increased to ensure those who are supposed to be isolating are doing so and that gatherings of multiple households are not taking place," the province added.

What to do if you have a symptom

People concerned they might have COVID-19 cantake a self-assessment test online.

Public Health says symptoms of the illness have included a fever above 38 C, a new or worsening cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, a new onset of fatigue, and difficulty breathing.

In children, symptoms have also included purple markings on the fingers and toes.

People with one of those symptoms should stay at home, call 811 or their doctor and follow instructions.