Case of COVID-19 in Campbellton region ends N.B.'s 2-week streak of no new cases

Public health has announced one new case of COVID-19 in New Brunswick, halting the province's two-week streak of having no one testing positive for the respiratory illness.

An individual under the age of 19 in Zone 5, which is the Campbellton region, has tested positive, the department said in a news release Thursday.

Public Health is investigating the case, according to the government's website.

• N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Province to move into 3rd stage of recovery this week

There have now been 121 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the province, but 120 of those patients haverecovered. There are no COVID cases in hospital.

To date,21,474 tests have been conducted in New Brunswick.

The new case comes a day before the province plans to move into the third stage of its COVID-19 recovery plan, also known as the yellow stage.

So far, New Brunswick has been leading other provinces inminimizing the number of cases.

What does the yellow phase include?

Premier Blaine Higgs and Jennifer Russell, the chief medical health officer, will hold a news conference at 10:30 a.m. Friday to explain how the next phase of recovery is expectedto unfold.

The province is now in phase two, also known as the orange phase, which has been aimed atreopening businesses and activities, while still trying to prevent transmission of the virus.

According to the government website, the next phasewould include:

• Family and friends bubble
• Gatherings with physical distancing of 50 or fewer
• Increase in elective surgeries and other non-emergency health care services
• Non-regulated health professionals/businesses
• Personal services businesses
• Swimming pools, saunas and water parks
• Gyms, yoga and dance studios
• Rinks and indoor recreational facilities
• Pool halls and bowling alleys
• Low-contact team sports

"As we continue to move through the phases of our recovery plan, it is important to remember COVID-19 still poses a risk to our communities," Higgs said at a briefing this week.

Under both the orange and yellow phase, businesses are allowed to require customers to wear masks. On his Twitter page, Higgs posted a photo of himself Thursday visiting emergency measure officials while wearing a mask.

Keeping borders closed

Although the province might be easing more restrictions, Higgs has been adamant onkeeping New Brunswick borders closed.

Hundredsof peopleseparated by the New Brunswick-Quebec border marched against New Brunswick's travel restrictionsover the weekend.

But the province has said all unnecessary travel into New Brunswick is prohibited and peaceofficers are authorized to turn visitors away when they attempt to enter.

"It is our main line of defence sowe need to be sure that we're doing it properly," Higgs said.