N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 95 new cases reported as vaccine plan for kids expands

New Brunswick reported 95 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday and 44 more recoveries, putting the province's active case count at743, up from692.

Fifty-five peopleare inhospital with COVID-19, including 18 in intensive care, Public Health said in a release.

One of the people in hospital is under 19.

At the legislature Thursday, Health Minister Dorothy Shephardurged New Brunswickers to remain cautious ahead of Christmas, saying there is alwaysa possibility restrictions will ramp up for the holidays ifCOVID-19 cases increase again.

"It is very concerning that the numbers are going up," she told reporters. "There are lots of people worried we are going to lose Christmas, are we are trying to prevent that. And the people of New Brunswick can be a part of that simply by following public health measures."

The province continues to see the number of active cases "creep up, particularly in southern New Brunswick and Miramichi," Shephard said laterin the day in a news release.

"We know some of those cases will result in hospitalization, with a greater risk to people who are unvaccinated. Every New Brunswicker has the power to help curb the COVID-19 spread in our province by simply keeping your contact numbers low, wearing a mask, washing your hands and getting vaccinated."

A total of 87.7 per centof New Brunswickers aged 12 or older are now fully vaccinated, up from 87.6 per cent, and 93.5 per centhave received their firstdose, unchanged from the last update.

The province's goal is to get at least 90 per cent of the total population double-dosed.

According to theCBCvaccine tracker, 79.2 per cent of the total eligible population is fully vaccinated and 82.6 per cent have received one dose.

Moncton region leads in new cases

The new cases break down this way:

Moncton region, Zone 1 28 cases:

• Three people 19 orunder
• Seven people 30 to 39
• Seven people 40 to 49
• A person 50 to 59
• Five people 60 to 69
• Two people 70 to 79
• A person 80 to 89
• Two people 90 and over

Fifteen of the cases are under investigation, and 13 are the contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Saint John region, Zone 2 25 cases:

• Five people 19 orunder
• Two people 20 to 29
• Seven people 30 to 39
• Three people 40 to 49
• Four people 50 to 59;
• Two people 60 to 69
• Two people 80 to 89

Fourteen cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases, and 11 are still under investigation.

Fredericton region, Zone 3 20 cases:

• Seven people 19 orunder
• Four people 20 to 29
• Three people 30 to 39
• Four people 40 to 49
• A person 50 to 59
• A person 70 to 79

Ten cases are under investigation, nine are the contacts of previously confirmed cases, and one is related to travel.

Campbellton region, Zone 5 one case:

• Oneperson 19 orunder

This case is under investigation.

Bathurst region, Zone 6 one case:

• Oneperson 20 to 29

This case is under investigation.

Miramichi region, Zone 7 17 cases:

• 11 people 19 orunder
• A person 30 to 39
• Four people 40 to 49
• Three people 60 to 69
• A person 70 to 79

Thirteen cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases and seven are under investigation.

"Over 50 per cent of today's cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases," Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health, said in the release.

Atotal of552,442 tests for the coronavirushave also been conducted to date, including 1,884 on Wednesday.

New Brunswick has had7,998 confirmed cases of COVID-19since the beginningof the pandemic, including7,121 recoveriesand123 COVID-related deaths.

After-school vaccinations coming to 8 schools

Eight schools in New Brunswickwill be providing vaccinations after school for children five to 11 years old, in partnership with local pharmacies, Health Minister Dorothy Shephard says.

"We will meet the demand," Shephard told reporters at the legislature Thursday. "There's all types of ways we can attack this to get this done as quickly as possible."

Shewasn't able yetto provide a list of theschools that will be offering the vaccines.

When vaccinations for New Brunswick children were announced on Tuesday, they were only expected to roll out atHorizon and Vitalitcommunity clinics.

To meet the demand,new clinics for children have been added in the Monctonand Fredericton region.

"Clinics will be added in other areas if warranted," the province added in a release Thursday.

More than 130 pharmacies will also take part in dispensing doses of thevaccine for children, receiving shipments betweenDec. 2 and Dec. 8, the province added. More information is expected soon on when appointments at the pharmacies will become available.

A total of 8,383 children hadbeen scheduled for their first doses as of Thursday morning,up from more than 6,200 the day before.

About 54,500 children are eligible to receive the vaccine,approved last Friday byHealth Canadafor children aged five to 11.

New Brunswick children who will turn five by Dec. 31, 2021 will also eligible.

Visits suspended atStella-Maris-de-Kent Hospital

Vitalitsaysthey are closing the medical unit at theStella-Maris-de-Kent Hospital, north ofBouctouche, because of a possible COVID-19 exposure.

"The ban on visits will remain in effect until further notice," the health authority wrote in a statement Thursday. "Vitalit Health Network apologizes for any inconvenience this situation may cause."

New cases at 5 schools

Fivenew cases of COVID-19 have been confirmedat five schools sinceWednesday, theCOVID-19 dashboardshows.

Thirty-one schools are currently impacted.

Students returned to in-person classes just over a week ago afterthe provincialgovernment reached a tentative agreement with strikingCanadian Union of Public Employees.

A total of486 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at 138schools since the beginning of the school year.

One case has beenconfirmed at Angels 'R' Wee in the Saint John region,and the Causerie Amicale Inc. in the Moncton region.

A total of 89 early learning child-carecentres have had confirmed cases of COVID-19 since Sept. 7.

Atlantic COVID roundup

Nova Scotiareported 22 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the active caseload to 169. Seventeenpeople are in hospital, including fivein intensive care.

Newfoundland and Labradorconfirmed another COVID-related death Wednesday and four new cases of COVID-19 since Monday. There are 13 active cases and one person is in hospital.

Prince Edward Islandannounced seven new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday and has 36 active cases.

New public exposure notices

Public Health shared new public exposure noticeson Thursday:

Moncton region,Zone 1:

• Nov. 17 between 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Silver Fox(2986 Fredericton Rd., Salisbury)

Saint John region, Zone 2:

• Nov. 16, 17, 18, 19, and 22between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Discount Tire(755 Rothesay Ave., Saint John)
• Nov. 20 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Discount Tire(755 Rothesay Ave., Saint John)
• Nov.17 between 11 a.m. and noon St. Andrew & St. David United Church(72 Charlotte St., Saint John)

Fredericton region, Zone 3:

• Nov. 19 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. UNB Data Challenge(6 Duffie Dr., Fredericton)

Miramichi region, Zone 7:

• Nov. 18, 19, and 20Hoops Classic Basketball Tournament(345 McKenna Ave., Miramichi)

For the full list of new and previous public exposure notices, please visitthe provincial government's website.

People who have not been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to a possible exposure and who have symptoms should 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 symptomsare 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 ifresults comeback negative, peopleshould 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.

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.