N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 6 new cases reported in province, 5 in Edmundston region

New Brunswick is reporting six new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday with most in the Edmundston region.

The province's northwest remains under tightened restrictionsfollowing a spike in cases and a move to "circuit-breaker" red-phase restrictions earlier this week.

The province now has 114 known active cases, with 91 in Zone 4. Five people are in the hospital, including one in intensive care.

There are five new cases in the Edmundston region (Zone 4), all contacts of previous cases:

• A person 19 and under.

• A person in their 30s.

• Two people in their 40s.

• A person in their 50s.

There is one new case related to travel in the Miramichi region (Zone 7):

• A person in their 40s.

Edmundston and the upper Madawaska region, which includes Clair and Baker Brook, are under red-phase restrictions this weekend. The rest of Zone 4, including Grand Falls, Kedgwick, Saint-Quentin and Saint-Lonard, remains in the yellow phase for now.

In the red phase, residents must remain within a single-household bubble, which may be extended to include caregivers, a family member who needs support or some other person who needs support. Full rules can be found on the province's website.

New Brunswick has confirmed 1,577 total cases since the start of the pandemic and 1,432 recoveries. There have been 30 deaths.

Public Health conducted 1,266 tests on Saturday for a total of 252,232.

Edmundston school confirms 4 new cases

An Edmundston school experiencing an outbreak is reporting four new cases.

cole Rgionale Saint-Basilenow has a total of five active cases. Students have been learning remotely since the school confirmed its first case on Thursday.

The school community has been notified and close contacts will be reached directly by Public Health.

Distance learning is expected to continue until April 7.

The new cases follow confirmation of a case inside an elementary school in Drummond, near Grand Falls. Teachers and staffwill also be switching to remote learning on Monday.

Expanded Zone 4 testing

Two northwest New Brunswick communities will have access to longer hours at local testing sites.

The Edmundston Regional Hospital will now offer testing from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and the Grand Falls General Hospital will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Both facilities will still require an appointment. Public Health said asymptomatic people who would like a test can register online, if they are not currently self-isolating.

People can also call Tele-Care 811 for an appointment.

Shediac region school clinics

Four southeastern New Brunswick high schools will be closed on Monday in order to vaccinate staff.

The clinics come as students and staff prepare for a return to full-time, in-person learning on April 12.

Clinics will be available for staff at the following schools on Monday:

• Bonar Law Memorial High School in Rexton.

• cole Mgr-Marcel-Franois-Richard in Saint-Louis de Kent.

• cole Clment-Cormier in Bouctouche.

• Polyvalente Louis-J.-Robichaud in Shediac.

Information about the clinics will be sent directly to school staff. More schools are expected to offer the vaccine in the coming days, including in the Bathurst and Campbellton area on Tuesday.

What to do if you have a symptom

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

Public Health says symptoms shown by people with COVID-19 have included:

• A fever above 38 C.

• A new cough or worsening chronic cough.

• Sore throat.

• Runny nose.

• Headache.

• New onset of fatigue, muscle pain, diarrhea, loss of sense of taste or smell.

• 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 Tele-Care 811 or their doctor.

• Describe symptoms and travel history.

• Follow instructions.