N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 27 new cases, more cases this month than in all of 2020

Public Health reported 27 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, with cases in three of New Brunswick's seven zones.

There was no live-streamed update, but in a news release, the department noted that most of the cases were in the Edmundston region,which is in lockdown, and the Moncton region, which is in the red phase of recovery.

The remaining five zones are in the orange phase.

The new cases break down in this way:

Moncton region, Zone 1, 11 cases:

• five people 19 or under
• two people 20 to 29
• two people 30 to 39
• two people 40 to 49

Saint John region,Zone 2, two cases:

• two people 19 or under

Edmundston region, Zone 4, 14 cases:

• three people 19 or under
• an individual 40 to 49
• five people 50 to 59
• an individual 70 to 79
• three people 80 to 89
• an individual 90 orover.

All of these people are self-isolating and their cases are under investigation.

New Brunswick has now had 1,202 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and 313 are currently active.

Since Wednesday, 41 people have recovered for a total of 872 recoveries. There have been 16 deaths, and four patients are hospitalized, two in intensive care.

As of Thursday, 193,956 tests have been conducted, including 2,247 since Wednesday's report.

Horizon asksstaff to help Vitalit in Edmundston

Horizon Health Network has sent out a memo flagging an "urgent need" for staff to help out in adult residential facilities in the Edmundston region, Zone 4.

The memo, sentto all staff Thursday by chief human resources officer Maura McKinnon, says the COVID-19 outbreak in the Edmundston area of Vitalite's health Network has fuelled "an urgent need for clinical and non-clinical staff of all classifications to provide patient care."

Interested staff are asked to commit to a minimum of 14 daysat the affected care homes.

Horizon notes in the memo that it is experiencing its own staffing challenges, and that certain staff classifications will not be eligible. As of Thursday morning, 58 of the health authority's staff were off for COVID-related reasons.

"We recognize that releasing employees may be impossible and that many managers are struggling to provide coverage in their own units," the memo says.

"While we appreciate your support and consideration of this request, it is understood that some classifications (RNs and LPNs, in particular) are not able to be released at this time."

N.B.'s2021 case count overtakes 2020's

Just one month into 2021, New Brunswick has alreadyrecorded more COVID-19 cases than in all of 2020.

From the time the pandemic began in March till the end of 2020, the province logged 599 cases.

On Thursday, when 27 new cases were reported, the province's 2021 tally hit 603.

New Brunswick data tracker Ray Harris tweeted a graphic Thursday noting the milestone.

Harris told CBC News he cross-checks his data with a national epidemiology website, and Public Health spokesperson Bruce Macfarlane also confirmed the numbers.

Case reported at Edmundston Rona

Lowe's Canada says it has been notified of a positive case of COVID-19 in a staff member at a Rona store inEdmundston.

The company tracks and reports all cases in staff, including the store's name and province, on a COVID-19 page on its corporate website. It also includes the last date the affected person worked.

In the Edmundston notice, Lowe's notes the location was the Rona at 595 Rue Carrier, and that the person's last workday was Jan. 20.

"To ensure the health and safety of our associates and customers, we rigorously apply public health authorities' recommendations and guidelines" and conduct extensive cleaning and disinfecting, Lowe's says on its website.

It adds that workers who are identified as having been in close contact with the affected staff member are put on "preventive paid quarantine at home."

Potential exposure notification for Air Canada flight

Public Health has identified a positive case in a traveller who may have been infectious on Jan. 14 while on the following flight:

• Air Canada Flight 8906,on Jan. 14, from Montreal to Moncton, departed at 9:19 p.m.

What to do if you have asymptom

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.