N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 19 new cases, Moncton cluster linked to cases in 3 zones

Public Health reported 19 new cases of COVID-19 Friday and hasdetermined that the cluster of cases in the Moncton region, Zone 1, is linked to many of the new cases in three other zones.

"We are seeing that the Zone 1 cluster is resulting in cases in Zones 2 [the Saint John region], 6 [the Bathurst region] and 7 [the Miramichi region] in our province right now, so it is imperative for New Brunswickers to get vaccinated," Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province's chief medical officer of health, said in a statement.

Ten of the new cases are in the Moncton region, which now has 62 of the province's 84 active cases.

They include:

• Two people 19 or under
• A person 20 to 29
• Four people 30 to 39
• Two people 40 to 49
• A person50 to 59

Five of the cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases and fiveare under investigation.

Here is a breakdown of the other new cases:

Saint John region, three cases:

• Two people 19 orunder
• A person 30 to 39

Two cases are travel-related and one case is under investigation.

Fredericton region,two cases:

• A person 30 to 39
• A person 40 to 49

Both cases are under investigation.

Campbellton region, two cases:

• Two people 70 to 79

Both cases are under investigation.

Bathurst region, two cases:

• Two people 19 orunder

Both cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

There aren't anyhospitalizations in New Brunswick because ofthe respiratory disease.

A total of 70.9per cent of New Brunswickers aged 12 and olderwere fully vaccinated,up from70.5 per cent on Thursday,while 83.2per cent hadreceived at least one dose, up from 83.1.

Anyone aged 12 or older is eligible to get a vaccine and they can get their second shot 28 days after their first.

Several community vaccination clinics continue to accept walk-ins.A list is available online.

People can alsobookan appointment onlinethrough a Horizon orVitalithealth network clinic orthrough aparticipating pharmacy.

They are asked to bring their Medicare card, asigned consent formand, for those receiving a second dose, a copy of the record of immunization they received after gettingtheir first dose.

New Brunswick has had 2,490confirmed cases ofCOVID-19 during the pandemic. There have been2,359recoveries so far and46COVID-related deaths.

A total of 391,309COVIDtests have been conducted, including 1,112 on Thursday.

Most Moncton region cases are alpha variant

Most of the COVID-19 cases in a recent cluster in the Moncton region, Zone 1, have been the alpha variant, not the more contagious delta variant driving the increase in cases across the country and the fourth wave.

Of the 92 cases confirmed sinceJuly 26 in the Moncton region,68 have been the alpha variant, first reported in the U.K., and only four have been the delta variant, first reported in India, figures provided by the Department of Healthshow.

Departmentspokesperson Bruce Macfarlanedid not respond to a request for comment aboutwhat might explain this or how different the spreadmightbeif the majority of the cases were the delta variant instead.

There are 62 active cases in the Moncton region.The department could not provide a variant breakdown of the active cases.

Macfarlanedid not respond to a request for a breakdown of the origin of the cases, which have prompted dozens of possible exposure notices in recent weeks whether they are travel-related, close contacts of previous cases, community transmission or still under investigation.

The Moncton region has had more alpha cases than any other variant since the beginning of the pandemic.

Of the 573 confirmed COVID-19 cases to date,121 have been alpha and31 delta. Twohave been the beta variant first confirmed in South Africa and two have been the gamma variant first confirmed in Brazil.

Asked how this compares to other regions, Macfarlane said, "Each region have had varying profiles depending on the variant of concern involved.

"Zone 1 does not have the largest number of variant cases observed, for any of [these]four variants," he said, without elaborating.

1st suspected COVID-related death inListuguj

Listuguj First Nation has suffered its first suspected COVID-19-related death, according to a Facebook post Friday by the Listuguj Mi'gmaq Government.

"It is confirmed that an individual between the age of 30 to 35, died today. It is believed that this is a result of complications due to COVID-19."

The personwas not vaccinated, according to the post.

"We are all in shock and join the family in mourning the loss of our community member,"Chief Darcy Gray said in a statement, offering condolences to everyoneaffected.

The governmentwill be reaching out to the family to offer support services,he said.

There are two active cases of COVID19 in Listuguj.

The Listuguj Community Health Services reminded residents of the importance of getting vaccinated and tested, even if they don't have any symptoms.

It has recommended testing for anyoneadvised to do so by public healthand anyone who receives an exposure notification via the COVID Alert app.

Testing is also advised for anyone whohad close contact with someone who has COVID-19 up to 48 hours before their symptoms appeared or, if they don't have symptoms, 48 hours before they got tested. Close contact is considered contact for more than 15 minutes, less than twometres apart, without a mask.

UNB, St. Thomas, Mount A won't mandate vaccines for students

The University of New Brunswick, St. Thomas University and Mount Allison University have decided against mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for students.

More students will be returning to campus for in-person learning in the next few weeks.

Several Canadian universities are requiring students to get a COVID vaccine before they start classes.

But UNB and STUsay they are focusing on educationtotryto boost vaccination rates instead.

UNBis offeringvaccination clinics on campusand letting students decide for themselves, saidacting vice-president academic, Cathy Wilson.

"We've had weekly clinics," she said. "We're encouraging faculty, staff and students alike to get the vaccination. We're going to have a blitz during the first week of class. We have all sorts of social media campaigns, we're collaborating with our student union and our SRC[Students' Representative Council].

"So while we're notmandating vaccinations at this point in time, we are strongly encouraging it. And we are supporting our faculty, students and staff to to be vaccinated.

STU decided to take a similar approach after looking at what the World Health Organization and Public Health say about mandatory vaccines, as well as some of the ethical and legal issues related to it, said spokesperson Jeffrey Carleton.

"It became clear that the preferred option is to encourage vaccines, to make sure that you've exhausted all your approaches to making sure that people understand why vaccines are important," he said.

Mount Allison says on its website that it does not requireCOVID-19 vaccinations to return to campus, but it does "strongly encourage"all students and members of the university community to get both doses before returning to campus, for maximum protection.

"Sackville and area residents are already doing their part to 'Protect the Bubble' with most eligible residents already fully vaccinated," it says.

For students who are unable to get fully vaccinated before arriving on campus, Mount A is planning a vaccine clinic either on or near campus for the first week of September.

Some professors and students are urging the administrations to reconsider their position on mandatory vaccines.

Barry Blight, an associate professor of chemistry at UNB's Fredericton campus, has been vocal on the issue on social media. "@UNB.just saying. There's a wave coming. You get to choose. A vaccine mandate wave, or a delta variant wave. Easy choice IMO. Keep your staff and students safe. PLEASE," he posted on Twitter.

"Time to step up and be a leader our province."

Patrick Hickey, the outgoing student union president atUNB's Saint John campus, has accused the university of taking the "path of least resistance."

"Definitely will be asking for the reversal of this policy and implementation of mandatory vaccinations for all students, staff and faculty on campus next week with the board of governors," he tweeted.

UNB is still working on a database where students can self-declare their vaccine status, said Wilson.

Carletonnoted the vaccination rate for STU students is much higher than the provincial rate for people in their 20s.

By the start of class it should be about 95 per cent, he said. As of Thursday, fewerthan 53 per cent of New Brunswickers aged 20 to 29 were fully vaccinated, according to the COVID-19 dashboard.

Masks will be required at UNB and STUin indoor spaces. At Mount A, masks will be required for scheduled, in-person classes and at larger, in-person events on campus, such as music ensembles, performances, and speakers, according to the website.

Pandemic task force 'suspended'

The province's pandemic task force has been quietly discontinued, the Department of Health has confirmed.

"In mid-July, the pandemic task force suspended the application of all task-force-only memos issued during the pandemic," said spokesperson Bruce Macfarlane.

"Responsibility for operations of the health care system and long-term care sector have been returned to the health partners."

The four-member task force was created in April 2020to oversee the health-care system's response to the pandemic and allowthe government to move more quickly in it fight againstCOVID-19.

The task force haddecision-makingauthority over all aspects of the system, including health authorities, ambulances, extramural care, special care homes and nursing homes.

Premier Blaine Higgs said at the time the move was prompted by the two weeks it had taken to getrequired sign-offs from 23 different officials across the health-care system to change a protocol.

The task forcewas chaired by Grald Richard, the deputy minister at the Health Department, and included Dr. Jennifer Russell,chief medical officer of health,Dr. Gordon Dow, an infectious disease specialist at Horizon Health, and Dr. Nicole LeBlanc, the chief of staff at Vitalit Health.

Macfarlane did not say why the task force has been suspended or why it wasn't announced.

But he did say it could bereinstated.

"Should a meeting be needed, one can be called at anytime," he said in an emailed statement.

Possible exposure suspends visitsat Dumont psychiatric unit

All visits to the psychiatry unit (4B) at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre in Moncton are temporarily suspended due to a possible exposure to COVID-19, theVitalit Health Network announced Friday.

The advisory does not indicate whether it was a health-care worker, patient or visitor who was positive.

It also doesn't indicate whenthe possible exposure occurred, and it's not includedon the government list of possible exposures,but theban on visits will remain in effect until further notice, it states.

Vitalitsays it apologizes for any inconvenience this situation may cause.

Atlantic COVID roundup

Nova Scotiareportedtwo new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, putting the province's active case count at 26.

Newfoundland and Labradorconfirmed four new cases and has seven active cases.

Prince Edward Islandhastwo new cases, leaving the Island with nine active cases.

Newpossible exposures

NewpossibleCOVID-19 exposures have been added to the growing list for theMonctonregion, Zone 1. Theyinclude:

• Aug.11 between 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Big Stop Irving,2986 Fredericton Rd., Salisbury
• Aug.8 between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Captain Dan's Bar and Grill,50 Point du Chne Rd., Shediac
• Aug.5 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Cora's Restaurant,500 Mapleton Rd., Moncton
• Aug.6 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Restaurant la Sagouine,43 Irving Blvd, Bouctouche
• Aug.4 between 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Trinity Hop SKIP Jump,117 Trinity Dr., Moncton
• Aug.10 between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Walmart,25 Plaza Blvd., Moncton
• Aug.9 between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Tim Hortons,1840 Main St., Moncton
• Aug.12 Maritime Bus from Halifax to Fredericton, departed at 12:40 p.m. arrived at 3:45 p.m.
• Aug.8 between 10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. Apostolic Lighthouse Church,332 Bayley Rd, Riverview

There are also newpossible exposurein the Saint John region, Zone 2:

• Aug. 4 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Atlantic Superstore,44 Lower Cove Rd., Sussex
• Aug. 4 and 5 Three Bears Campground,12049 Rte. 114, Penobsquis

Anyone with symptoms of the virus, as well as anyone who has been at the site of apossible public exposureis being urged torequest a test onlineor callTele-Care 811 to get an appointment.

The full list of possible exposuresis updated regularly and is available on the government's website.

Previous exposures

Public Health identified positive cases in people who may have been infectious while travelling on the following flights:

• Aug.6WestJetFlight 4700 from Toronto to Fredericton, departed at 7 a.m.

• Aug.2Air Canada Flight8904 from Montreal toMoncton, departed at 4 p.m.

• July 26 WestJetFlight 3404 from Toronto to Fredericton, departed at 4 p.m.

• July 25 Air Canada Flight 8904 from Montreal toMoncton, departed at 7:54 p.m.

• July 25 Air Canada Flight 7546 from Toronto to Fredericton, departed at 2:27 p.m.

Public Health has also identified places in New Brunswickwhere people may have been exposed to the coronavirus duringthe past two weeks.

Moncton region, Zone 1:

• Aug. 10 between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.McDonald's900 Mountain Rd.,Moncton

• Aug.8 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Alma Lobster Shop,36 Shore Lane, Alma

• Aug.7-8 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.Zio'sPizza,214 Church St.,Moncton

• Aug. 7-8 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.Vibrant Life Meals,214 Church St.,Moncton

• Aug. 7 between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. CassiLounge and Bar,221 St. George St.,Moncton

• Aug.7 between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Caf Clementine Deli,62 Elmwood Dr., Moncton

• Aug.6-8 between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.BaciItaliaRestaurant,204 Church St.,Moncton

• Aug. 2 to Aug. 7 Zio's Pizza and Baci Italia,214 Church St., Moncton

• Aug. 6 and Aug.7PumpHouse Brewpub and Restaurant,5 Orange Lane,Moncton

• Aug.6 between 11 p.m. and midnight -NavigatorPub,190 Robinson Court,Moncton

• Aug.6 between 11 p.m. and midnight Wize GuyzPub,176 Robinson St., Moncton

• Aug. 6 between 11 p.m. and midnight The 3rdGlass,819 Main St., Moncton

• Aug.6 between 11 p.m. and midnight Pizza Girls,827 Main St., Moncton

• Aug.6 between 9:15 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. Escape Room,94 Lewisville Rd., Moncton

• Aug.6 between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. Canadian Tire,1380 Mountain Rd,Moncton

• Aug.6 between 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.Champlain Place,477 Paul St., Dieppe

• Aug.6 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.American Eagle,477 Paul St., Dieppe

• Aug. 5 between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Aug. 4 between 10:30 a.m. and midnight, and Aug. 2 between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Pump House, 5 Orange Lane, Moncton

• Aug. 4 between 3 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Aug. 2 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., July 31 between 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., July 30 between 4 p.m. and midnight and July 29 between 3 p.m. and midnight -Monk10 Taproom and Fine Eatery, 40 Highfield St., Moncton

• Aug. 4 between 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Planet Fitness, 80 Mapleton Rd., Moncton

• Aug. 4 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.24/7 FitnessClub,121 Pine Glen Rd.,Riverview

• Aug. 4 between 1 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. NB Liquor, 2999 Fredericton Rd., Salisbury

• Aug. 3 between 8:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. Laundromat, 382 George St., Moncton

• August 3 between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Sand Bar Brewpub and Restaurant,70 Pointe duChne Rd.,Shediac)

• Aug. 3 between 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. -Sandbar Restaurant, 70 Pointe du Chne Rd., Pointe-du-Chne

• Aug.3 between 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Planet Fitness,80 Mapleton Rd., Moncton

• Aug. 3 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., Aug. 4 between 7:45 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. Global Pet Foods, 106-450 Pinewood Rd., Moncton

• Aug. 3 between 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Fit for Less, 165 Main St., Moncton

• Aug. 3 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Boutique Beausoleil, 231 Parlee Beach Rd., Pointe-du-Chne

• Aug. 3 between 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Fit for Less, 165 Main St., Moncton

• Aug.3 between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.Oceanside Fitness,184 Main St,Shediac

• Aug. 3 between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Chez Ange Bistro, 318 Main St., Shediac

• Aug. 2 between midnight and 3:30 a.m., and Aug. 3 between 9:30 p.m. and 2 a.m. Miss Cue, 459 Mountain Road, Moncton

• Aug. 2 between 9:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. -Tire Shack, 190 John St., Moncton

• Aug. 2 between 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. -Boardwalk, 2800 Mountain Rd., Moncton

• Aug. 2 between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. -Residence Inn by Marriott, 600 Main St. Moncton

• Aug.2 between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. New Brunswick Day,HillsboroughArena,32 Mill Street, Hillsborough

• Aug. 1 between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Osaka Hibachi, 599 Main St., Moncton

• Aug. 1 between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. Carrabas Italian Grill, 1000 Main St., Moncton

• Aug. 1 between 8:30 p.m. and closing Sports Rock, 451 Paul St., Dieppe

• Aug. 1 between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.-Katch Seafood & Pizza Girls, 827 Main St., Moncton

• Aug.1 between 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Goya's Pizza, 96 Main St., Sackville

• July 31 between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Pump House, 5 Orange Lane, Moncton

• July 30 between noon and 11:30 p.m., July 31 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. La Coast, 358 Main St., Shediac

• July 30 between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., July 31 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Gahan House Hub City, 55 Queen St., Moncton

• July 30 between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Keg Steakhouse, 576 Main St., Moncton

• July 30 between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.-Angie's Show Palace, 187 Champlain St., Dieppe

• July 30 between 7 p.m. and midnight -Osaka Hibachi, 599 Main St., Moncton

• July 30 between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. -Cassi Lounge, 212 St. George St., Moncton

• July 30 between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. -Kings Club, 841 Main St., Moncton

• July 30 between 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Cannabis NB, 40 Wyse St., Moncton

• July 30 between noon and 2 p.m. Atlantic Superstore, 65 Main St., Moncton

• July 30 between 12:30 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. H&M, 1477 Paul St., Dieppe

• July 30 between 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Chapters, 499 Paul St., Moncton

• July 30 between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Tokai Ramen, 823 Main St., Moncton

• July 29 between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tide and Boar, 700 Main St., Moncton

• July 29 between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. Captain Dan's, 50 Pointe Du Chne Rd., Shediac

• July 29 between 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. St. James Gate, 14 Church St., Moncton

• July 29 between 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Magic Mountain Mini Putt, 150 Magic Mountain Rd., Moncton

• July 28 between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. Pump House Brewpub & Restaurant, 5 Orange Lane, Moncton

• July 28 between 3 p.m. and midnight and July 29 between 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Cheers' Beverage Room and Catering, 63 Brandon St., Moncton

• July 28 between 3 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Pizza Delight, 188 Mountain Rd., Moncton

• July 28 between 8 p.m. and 2:30 a.m., July 29 between 4 p.m. and 2:30 a.m., July 30 between 8 p.m. and 2:30 a.m., July 31 between 4 p.m. and 2:30 a.m., and Aug. 1 between 9:30 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. The Furnace Room, 191 Robinson St., Moncton

Saint John region, Zone 2:

• Aug.7 between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.Area 506 Concert,Long Wharf, Saint John

• Aug.7 between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.St. Mark's Anglican Church of Canada,28 Main St., St. George

• Aug.6 between 5:50 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.FairviewLanes,87 Lansdowne Ave., Saint John

• Aug. 6 between 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.Big Tide Brewery,47 Princess St., Saint John

• Aug.6 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.Oasis Trampoline Park,212 Parkway Mall, 212 McAllister Dr., Saint John

• Aug. 5 between 8 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.Eighty Three Bar Arcade,43 Princess St., Saint John

• Aug.5 between 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Hampton Brewing Company,65 Robertson Rd, Hampton

• Aug.5 between 2:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. Princess Auto,35 Depot Ct., Saint John

• Aug.5 between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Value Village,212McAllisterDr., Saint John

• Aug.4 between 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Mrs.Dunster'sBakery,30 Leonard Dr., Sussex

• Aug.1 between 6 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.Saint John Alehouse,1 Market Square, Saint John

• July 31 between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.Montana's Restaurant, 51 Depot Court

• July 30 between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Britt's, 42 Princess St., Saint John

• July 30 between 8 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. Eighty Three Bar Arcade, 43 Princess St., Saint John

• July 27 between 5:30 p.m and 7:30 p.m. Saint John Ale House, 1 Market Sq., Saint John

• July 27 between 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Hopscotch, 4 Canterbury St., Saint John

• July 27 between 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Italian By Night, 97 Germain St., Saint John

• July 27 between 10:15 p.m. and midnight Churchill's Bar and Pub, 8 Grannan St., Saint John

• July 27 between 11:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. Uptown Pub Down Under Bar, 88 Prince William St., Saint John

Fredericton region, Zone 3:

There is a single exposure notice for the Fredericton area on July 26 forMaritime Bus Coach 1908, from Moncton to Fredericton, which departed at 4:20 p.m.

Bathurst region, Zone 6:

• Aug. 4 between 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. -Aquaparc de la Rivire Tracadie, 3205 Alcide Rd., Tracadie

Miramichi region, Zone 7:

• August 4 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Aug. 3 between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. High Q dispensary, 2898 Peters Rd., Esgenoopetitj First Nation

• Aug. 4 between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Vicker's River Tubing, 906 Howard Rd., Blackville

• Aug. 1 between noon and 9 p.m. Bay du Vin Island Event

• Aug. 1 between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. Westside Bar, 546 MicMac Rd., Esgenoopetitj First Nation

• July 31 between 11:30 p.m. and 1 a.m., Aug. 1 between 11 p.m. to close Pub 981, 981 Principale St., Neguac

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.