News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Public Health has confirmed that two people have died as a result of COVID-19. This brings the total number of COVID-19-related deaths in the province to 74.

A person 70-79 in Zone 1 (Moncton region) and a person 80-89 in Zone 3 (Fredericton region) have died.

"I encourage all New Brunswickers to keep these people’s loved ones in their thoughts,” said Premier Blaine Higgs. “We must all follow the rules and stay within our single household this Thanksgiving weekend to slow the spread and prevent future tragedies from occurring.”

“I send my heartfelt sympathies to the loved ones of the people who have lost their lives to COVID-19,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. “As we spend time with the people in our single household this weekend, please take steps to protect the people closest to you. Wear a mask in indoor public spaces, wash your hands frequently and book an appointment to get fully vaccinated if you have not already done so.”

There are 53 people hospitalized due to the virus, with 22 in an intensive care unit. No one under the age of 19 is currently hospitalized. Of those in hospital, 42 are unvaccinated, three are partially vaccinated and eight are fully vaccinated.

Public Health reported 73 new cases of COVID-19 today and 38 recoveries. The number of active cases is 962. Of the new cases, 45 – or 62 per cent – are unvaccinated, eight – or 11 per cent – are partially vaccinated, and 20 – or 27 per cent – are fully vaccinated.

Vaccination update

All provincial government employees, staff in long-term care facilities and staff and volunteers in schools and licensed early learning and child-care facilities must be fully vaccinated by Friday, Nov. 19.

A booster dose of an mRNA vaccine is being administered to residents in nursing homes and other communal settings who have already received two doses of a vaccine.

Public Health reported today that 81.4 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 90.6 per cent have received their first dose of a vaccine.

If you have not yet had your first or second dose, you are asked to go to a walk-in clinic or book an appointment through a participating pharmacy or at a Vitalité or Horizon health network clinic as soon as possible.

All eligible New Brunswickers can book their second-dose appointments for a date that is at least 28 days after their first dose.

Those attending a vaccination clinic are asked to bring their Medicare card, a signed consent form and, for those receiving their second dose, a copy of the record of immunization provided after receiving their first dose.

A list of upcoming mobile and walk-in clinics is available online.

Circuit breaker in areas with high transmission now in effect

Due to the high number of COVID-19 transmissions, a circuit breaker has been put in place in certain areas of the province for 14 days beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8.

The areas impacted are Zone 1 (Moncton region) as far north as and including Sainte-Anne-de-Kent and including Havelock in Zone 2; the northern portion of Zone 3 from and including Deerville and Florenceville-Bristol; and all of Zone 4 (Edmundston region), including Menneval in Zone 5.

More information about the circuit breaker rules, including a detailed list and map of affected communities, is available online.

Single households for Thanksgiving weekend for entire province

All New Brunswickers – including those living in areas not impacted by the circuit breaker – must not have gatherings anywhere other than a place at which the law requires proof of vaccination with anyone they do not currently live with during the Thanksgiving long weekend, between 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8, and 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 11.

A single household refers to individuals who are living together. It can be extended to include caregivers for any of those people, plus any parent, child, sibling, grandparent or grandchild of those people who requires support, plus any one additional person who lives alone at another address who requires support.

All businesses may remain open for regular operations but must follow measures listed under the mandatory order. This includes businesses that are not required to see proof of vaccination, such as hair salons, retail and grocery stores, and those that are required to request proof of vaccination, such as restaurants and entertainment venues. Children under 12 accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult will also be admitted.

Mandatory order

A new mandatory order came into effect on Friday at 6 p.m. and is available online.  

Regional breakdown of new cases

The 19 new cases in Zone 1 (Moncton region) are as follows:

·       five people 19 and under;

·       two people 20-29;

·       two people 30-39;

·       four people 40-49;

·       two people 50-59;

·       a person 60-69;

·       a person 70-79;

·       a person 80-89; and

·       a person 90 and over.

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

The 10 new cases in Zone 2 (Saint John region) are as follows:

·       two people 19 and under;

·       two people 20-29;

·       two people 30-39;

·       two people 50-59; and

·       two people 60-69.

Seven cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases and three are under investigation.

The 13 new cases in Zone 3 (Fredericton region) are as follows:

·       three people 19 and under;

·       a person 20-29;

·       a person 40-49;

·       three people 50-59;

·       three people 60-69;

·       a person 70-79; and

·       a person 80-89.

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

The eight new cases in Zone 4 (Edmundston region) are as follows:

·       two people 19 and under;

·       a person 20-29;

·       a person 30-39; and

·       four people 50-59.

Four cases are under investigation and four are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

The 19 new cases in Zone 5 (Campbellton region) are as follows:

·       four people 19 and under;

·       four people 20-29;

·       four people 30-39;

·       a person 40-49;

·       three people 50-59; and

·       three people 60-69.

Fourteen cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases and five are under investigation.

The two new cases in Zone 6 (Bathurst region) are as follows:

·       a person 19 and under; and

·       a person 40-49.

One case is under investigation and the other is a contact of a previously confirmed case.

The two new cases in Zone 7 (Miramichi region) are as follows:

·       a person 20-29; and

·       a person 60-69.

One case is under investigation and the other is a contact of a previously confirmed case.

Additional information is available on the COVID-19 dashboard.

Potential public exposures

Anyone with symptoms of the virus, as well as anyone who has been at the site of a possible public exposure, is urged to request a test online to get an appointment.

A map of potential public exposures can also be found on the COVID-19 dashboard.