N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 3 deaths, 66 new cases; demand high for free rapid test kits

New Brunswickers in Moncton lined up by the dozens Saturday morning to pick up free rapid test kits supplied by the province, as Public Health recordedthree more COVID-relateddeaths and 66 new cases of COVID-19.

"Today,anotherthree New Brunswickers have tragically lost their lives as a result of the virus," Premier Blaine Higgs said in a news release.

"This is a sad reminder that everyone must protect themselves and their loved ones by getting fully vaccinated as soon as possible if they have not already done so."

A person in their 80s and a person in their 90s in the Moncton region (Zone 1)and a person in their 90s in the Miramichi region (Zone 7) have died "as a resultof COVID-19," according to the news release.

The release did not provide additional information about those who had died,such as vaccination status. Their deaths bring the provincial total to 87.

Higgs said Public Health is still seeing low vaccination rates in the younger populationin the circuit breaker areas.

"For example, only around 60 per cent of people aged 12 to 39 in Zone 4 are fully vaccinated, which is a disappointing number," he said.

Public Health confirmedthat 82.3 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 91.4 per cent have received their first dose of a vaccine.

Rapid test kits in high demand

The three pickup sites for free rapid testing kits in Moncton, Grand Falls and Perth-Andover closed early Saturday after all kits were distributed.

RCMP New Brunswick tweeted a notice saying traffic was backed up on Mountain Road in Moncton.

The provincial government announced the pickup site in Moncton would close at 11:30 a.m. Saturday because of high demand.

Public Health said in a statement to media the COVID-19 rapid test pickup site in Moncton was experiencing "longer than anticipated lines."

"Staff on site appreciate your patience," the statement said.

Public Health announced Thursday people who have not been identified as close contacts of COVID-19 cases and do not have any symptoms would be eligible to pick up the free rapid test kits and administer them at home as of the weekend.

Those who test positive are asked to make an appointment to get a followup PCR test, said Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell Thursday.

The rapid test kits are only being distributed to the COVID-19 "hot spots" under circuit-breaker restrictions, but the program is expected to become available across the province.

The demand for the kits caused the sites in Grand Falls and Perth-Andover to close at 1 p.m. They wereexpected to remain open later into the afternoon.

There were about 7,500 test kits available at the three locations. More locations are scheduled to open on Monday.

The kits, which each contain five tests to be used over 10 days, will be availableat thefollowing locations:

• Greater Moncton Health Centre, 150 Edmonton Ave., Moncton (3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday).
• Cocagne Health Clinic, 4813 Rte. 134, Cocagne (8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and 8 a.m. to noon Friday).
• Moncton, 380 MacNaughton Ave. (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday).
• Edmundston Regional Hospital, 275 Hbert Blvd., Edmundston (2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday).
• Haut-Madawaska Medical Clinic, 809 Principale St., Clair (1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday).
• Grand Falls General Hospital, 625 Everard H. Daigle Blvd., Grand Falls (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday).
• Htel-Dieu Saint-Joseph de Saint-Quentin, 21 Canada St., Saint-Quentin (2 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily).
• E.L. Murray Medical Clinic, 3 Stanley St., Campbellton (2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday).
• St. Joseph Community Health Centre, 280 Victoria St., Dalhousie (noon to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday).
• Shediac Regional Medical Centre, 419 Main St., Shediac (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday).
• Jacquet River Health Centre, 41 Mack St., Belledune (1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday).
• Chaleur Regional Hospital, 1750 Sunset Blvd., Bathurst (12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday).
• Enfant-Jsus RHSJ Hospital, 1 Saint-Pierre Blvd. W., Caraquet (1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday).
• Tracadie Hospital, 400 Des Hospitalires St., Tracadie (1 p.m. to 3 p.m. daily).
• Lamque Hospital and Community Health Centre, 29 De l'Hpital St., Lamque (noon to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday).
• Paquetville Health Centre, 1096 Du Parc St., Paquetville (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday).
• Saint-Isidore Community Health Centre, 3973-1 Des Fondateurs Blvd., Saint-Isidore (12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday).
• St. James the Less Church, 1760 Rothesay Rd., Rothesay (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday).
• Exhibition Grounds, 361 Smythe St., Fredericton (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday).
• Miramichi, 365 Wellington St. (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday).

There are 54 people in hospital due to COVID-19, with 17 in intensive care.

Of those in hospital, 29 are unvaccinated, five are partially vaccinated and 20 are fully vaccinated. Of those inintensive care, 15 are unvaccinated are two are partially vaccinated.

No one under the age of 19 is hospitalized.

Of the 66 new cases, 35are unvaccinated, one ispartially vaccinated and 30 are fully vaccinated.

There were 130 recoveries Saturday, which brings the active case count to 997.

The new cases breakdown as follows:

Moncton region, Zone 1, 30 cases:

• 13 people 19 and under.
• Two people 20-29.
• Three people 30-39.
• A person 40-49.
• A person 50-59.
• Five people 60-69.
• A person 70-79.
• Three people 80-89.
• A person 90 and over.

Twenty-eight cases are under investigation and two cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Saint John region, Zone 2, sevencases:

• Three people 19 and under.
• Two people 20-29.
• Two people 50-59.

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

Fredericton region, Zone 3, fourcases:

• A person 19 and under.
• A person 30-39.
• A person 40-49.
• A person 60-69.

All four cases are under investigation.

Edmundston region, Zone 4, 16cases:

• Three people 19 orunder.
• Three people 30-39.
• Two people 40-49.
• Five people 60-69.
• Two people 70-79.
• A person 80-89.

Fourteen of these cases are under investigation and two are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Campbellton region, Zone 5,13 cases:

• A person 19 and under.
• A person 30-39.
• A person 40-49.
• A person 50-59.
• A person 70-79.
• A person 80-89.

All six cases are under investigation.

Bathurst region, Zone 6, twocases:

• Two people 19 or under.

Both cases are under investigation.

Miramichi region, Zone 7, one case:

• A person 70-79.

The case is under investigation.

New Brunswick has had 5,735confirmed cases ofCOVID-19 since the pandemic began, with 4,650recoveries.

A total of 503,938 tests have been conducted to date, including 2,503on Friday.

New public exposure notices

Public Health released new public exposure notices Saturday. They are as follows:

Moncton region, Zone 1

• Oct. 7 between 9 a.m. and noon Service New Brunswick, waitingroom (766 Main St., Moncton)

Saint John region, Zone 2

• Oct.9 between 3:45 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. Drew & Jen's No Frills (621 Fairville Blvd., Saint John)

Edmundston region, Zone 4

• Oct.12 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Casse Croute Caro (180 Hebert Blvd., Edmundston)

Campbellton region, Zone 5

• Oct.12 and 13 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. J.A. Epicerie 2000 Inc. (339 Main St., Eel River Crossing)

Public Health recommends that people who have been at a possible public exposure site and are not fully vaccinated get a COVID test, even if they don't have symptoms. They can book an appointment online or call Tele-Care 811.

If they do have symptoms, they must isolate while they await their results.

For people who are fully vaccinated, Public Health recommends they monitor for symptoms for 14 days after the possible exposure and get a COVID test if symptoms develop.

Anyone who frequented the locations at the specified dates and times should also avoid visiting settings with vulnerable populations such as nursing homes, correctional facilities and shelters for the next 14 days.

The following are exposure notices from the past fewweeks. For the full list beyond this time period, please visit theGovernment of New Brunswick's website, which was redesigned Tuesday and now clearly separates new exposure notices frompreviously reported exposure notices.

Previous exposure notices

Public Health has identified a case ofCOVID-19 in a traveller who may have been infectious while on the following flight:

• Oct.8Air Canada Flight 8790 from Montreal to Saint John departed at 7:47 p.m.

Monctonregion, Zone 1

• Oct.13 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Wise Guyz Pub(176 Robinson St., Moncton)
• Oct.13 between 5:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. Atlantic Superstore(89 Trinity Dr., Moncton)
• Oct.13 between 11:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. George Dumont Hospital, Diagnostic Imaging Department(330 Universit Ave., Moncton)
• Oct.13 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Spirit Halloween(169 Trinity Dr., Moncton)
• Oct.7 between 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Pseudio(477 Paul St., Dieppe)
• BetweenOct.6 and 7between 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 a.m. Wingate by Wyndham(69 March Rd., Dieppe)
• Oct.6 between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse(751 Main St., Moncton)
• Oct.6 between 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Pseudio(477 Paul St., Dieppe)
• Oct.5 between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.-Five Bridges Bar & Grill(121 Pine Glen Rd., Riverview)
• Oct.4 between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Dr. Lon Richard Oncology Centre(37 Providence St. Moncton)
• Oct.4-6 between 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Club Boishebert de Shediac(322 Main St., Shediac)
• Oct.3between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. YMCA(70 Twin Oaks Dr., Moncton)
• Oct.3 between 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Cornerstone Chapel Moncton(11 York St., Berry Mills)
• Oct.3 between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Hillsborough United Church(2891 Main St., Hillsborough)
• Between Oct.2 and 3 between noon and 10 a.m. Beausjour Camping(747 Lino Rd., Shediac)

Saint John region, Zone 2

• Oct.9 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. The Barrel's HeadGastropub(141 Hampton Rd.,Rothesay)
• Oct.8 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Pizza Delight(2 King St., St. Stephen)
• Oct.8 between 5:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. East Side Mario's(75 Consumers Dr., Saint John)
• Oct.8 between noon and 2:30 p.m. Canadian Tire(250 King St., St. Stephen)
• Oct.8 between 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Atlantic Superstore(195 King St., St. Stephen)
• Oct.8 between 6:45 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. Station 33 Caf & Yoga restaurant section(33 Railway Cres., Hampton)
• Oct.1 and 8between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Hampton Chop Shop(557 Main St., Hampton)
• Oct.2 to Oct.7between 6:45 a.m. and 3 p.m. Station 33 Caf & Yoga restaurant section(33 Railway Cres., Hampton)
• Oct.5, 6, and 7between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. McAllister Place(519 Westmorland Rd., Saint John)
• Between Oct.4 and 7 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Hampton Chop Shop(557 Main St., Hampton)
• Oct.7, between 7:45 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Hampton Community Center rink(808 Main St., Hampton)
• Oct. 7 between noon and 2 p.m. Vogue Optical(20 Plaza Ave., Saint John)
• Oct.6 between 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Vogue Optical(20 Plaza Ave., Saint John)
• Oct.6, between noon and 3 p.m. Dr. Luan Le's Office(35 University Ave., Saint John)
• Oct.6, between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Char and Chowder Restaurant(182 Water St., Saint Andrews)
• Oct.6 between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Herring Cove Pharmacy(924 Route 774, Welshpool)
• Oct.5 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. 8th Hussars Sports Centre(8 Leonard Dr., Sussex)
• Oct.5, between 1:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Up to Par Restaurant(109 Upper Midland Rd., Norton)
• Oct.5 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Canterbury Dental Clinic(18 Canterbury St., Saint John)
• Oct.5 between 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Campobello Island Health Centre(640 Route 774, Welshpool)
• Oct.4 and 5between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Needs Convenience Store(89 Marr Rd., Rothesay)
• Oct.4, between 5:45 p.m. and 16:15 p.m. Mac's Island Market(924 Route 774, Welshpool)
• Oct.3 between 4 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. Vito's Restaurant(111 Hampton Rd., Rothesay)
• Oct.3between 10:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Char and Chowder Restaurant(182 Water St., Saint Andrews)
• Oct.3 Kings Church(332 Hampton Rd., Quispamsis)

Frederictonregion, Zone 3

• Oct.10 between noon and 5 p.m. Pseudio(1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
• Oct. 10 between 9 a.m. and noon HopeCity(429 Clements Dr., Fredericton)
• Oct.9 between 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Pseudio(1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
• Oct. 8 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Pseudio(1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
• Oct.8 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Starbucks(1040 Prospect St., Fredericton)
• Oct.8 between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Taco Boys(10 Trinity Ave., Fredericton)
• Oct. 8 between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. Vape City(10 Trinity Ave., Fredericton)
• Sept.14 to Oct.7Tobique Valley Senior's Complex(4 Manor Dr., Plaster Rock)
• Oct.7 between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. East Side Mario's(14 Trinity Ave., Fredericton)
• Oct.7 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dollarama(1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
• Oct.7 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Walmart(1399 Regent St., Fredericton)
• Oct.7 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Hanwell Village Mart(1761 Hanwell Rd., Hanwell)
• Oct.6 between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. PJ's Wings and Things(38 Main St., Fredericton)
• Oct.6 between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. York County Cider(38 Main St., Fredericton)
• Oct.6 between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Capital Community Church(71 Downing St., Fredericton)
• Oct. 6 between noon and 2 p.m. Ken's Barber Shop(240 Main St., Plaster Rock)October 4 between 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Scotiabank(728 Perth Main St., Perth-Andover)
• Oct.5 between noon and 8 p.m. Pseudio(1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
• Oct.5 between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Abony Family Tennis Centre(594 Knowledge Park Dr., Fredericton)
• Oct. 4 between 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Scotiabank(728 Perth Main St., Perth-Andover)
• Oct. 4 between 9:40 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. Subway(18 F. Tribe Rd. Unit 3, Perth-Andover)
• Oct.3 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Pond's Resort on the Miramichi restaurant(91 Porter Cove Rd., Porter Cove)
• Oct.3 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Speedway 104 Mower races(7399 Route 104, Windsor)
• Oct.3 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Speedway 104 Mower races(7399 Route 104, Windsor)
• Oct. 3between 10:30 a.m. and noon Sure Life Assembly(335 Otis Drive, Nackawic)
• Oct. 3 between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. G8Way Ultramar(22 Route 628, Penniac)
• Oct. 3 between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. Kingswood Golf Club(1700 Kingswood Way, Hanwell)
• Oct. 2-3between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. Quality Inn and Suites Amsterdam(559 Bishop Dr., Fredericton)

Edmundstonregion, Zone 4

• Oct. 13 between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Grand Falls General Hospital, Outpatient Waiting Room(625 Everard H. Daigle Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Oct. 12 between 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Regional Hospital of Edmundston, Emergency Department(275 Hbert Blvd., Edmundston)
• Oct.10 between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.Walmart(805 Victoria Rd., Edmundston)
• Oct. 9 between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Bonichoix(4 Saint Camille Rd., Kedgwick)
• Oct.9 between 11 p.m. and midnightBar Chez Wilma(500 Mgr Numa Pichette Blvd., Edmundston)
• Oct.9 between 10:30 p.m. and 11 p.m.Caf Retro Bar(69 Canada Rd., Edmundston)
• Oct.9 between 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.Casino Grey Rock(100 Chief Joanna Blvd., Saint Basile)
• Oct.9 between noon and 2 p.m.Shoppers Drug Mart(344 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Oct.9 between noon and 2 p.m.Saint Quentin Co-Op(145 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Oct.8 between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.Atlantic Superstore(240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Oct.8 between 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.Shoppers Drug Mart(344 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Oct.8 between 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.Familiprix Kevin Smyth(138 Main St., Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska)
• Oct.3 to Oct.7Rodeway Inn(10039 Route 144, Grand Falls)
• Oct.6 between 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.Walmart(805 Victoria St., Edmundston)
• Oct.6 between 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.Dollarama(15 Mowin St., Madawaska Maliseet First Nation)
• Oct.7 between 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.Walmart(805 Victoria Rd., Edmundston)
• Oct. 7 between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.Supermarch Bonichoix(746 Main St., Saint Leonard)
• Oct.7 between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.Familiprix Kevin Smyth(138 Main St., Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska)
• Oct.7 between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.Provincial Court Carrefour Assomption(121 de l'glise Rd., Edmundston)
• Oct. 6-7between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m.Subway(360 Canada St., Saint Quentin)
• Oct.5 and 7between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.Cyr Roy Machine Shop and Dpanneur(111 Martin Rd., Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska)
• Oct.6 between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.Catholic Diocesan Centre(60 Ren-Bouchard Rd., Edmundston)
• Oct.5 between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.Greco Pizza(10 Mahsus Crt., Edmundston)
• Oct. 4 between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.Dollarama(180 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Oct. 4 between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Walmart(494 Madawaska Road, Grand Falls)
• Oct. 4 between 8:15 a.m. and 9 a.m. Walmart(494 Madawaska Road, Grand Falls)
• Oct. 4between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Atlantic Superstore(240 Madawaska Road, Grand Falls)
• Oct. 4between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Walmart(494 Madawaska Road, Grand Falls)
• Oct. 4between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Shoppers Drug Mart(180 Madawaska Road, Unit #700, Grand Falls)
• Oct. 3 between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Subway(360 Canada St., Saint Quentin)
• Oct. 3between 9:15 a.m. and 10p.m. St. George Church(226 St. Georges Rd., Grand Falls)

Campbellton region, Zone 5

• Oct. 6-8Clinique Vtrinaire Lpine(148 Notre Dame St., Atholville)
• Oct. 7 between 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Campbellton Regional Hospital, emergency department(189 Lily Lake Rd., Campbellton)
• Oct.6between 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Brasserie 1026 Bar & Grill(157 Water St., Campbellton)
• BetweenOct.5 and 6between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. Campbellton Regional Hospital, emergency department(189 Lily Lake Rd., Campbellton)
• Oct.5-7 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.CCNB Campbellton Campus(47 Village Ave., Campbellton)
• Oct.4 between 11:40 a.m. and 12:55 p.m. Bonnie's Tabata Fitness(1 Union St., Campbellton)
• Between Oct.1-6 Campbellton Regional Hospital Med-Surg unit(189 Lily Lake Rd., Campbellton)

Bathurst region, Zone 6

• Oct.8 between 12:30 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. Walmart(900 St. Anne St., Bathurst)
• Oct. 8 between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. House of Lee(315 Main St., Bathurst)
• Oct.8 between 9:50 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Marshalls(700 St. Peter Ave., Bathurst)
• Oct. 8 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sobeys(1125 St. Peter Ave.,Bathurst)
• Oct.5 between 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. Dixie Lee Restaurant(49 St-Pierre Blvd.W., Caraquet)
• Oct.4 between noon and 1 p.m. L'Entracte Resto Pub(3394 Principale St., Tracadie)
• Oct.3between 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Walmart(900 St. Anne St., Bathurst)

Miramichi region, Zone 7

• Oct.10 between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Tim Hortons(188 King St., Miramichi)
• Oct.5 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Downtown Beauty Salon(1706 Water St., Miramichi)
• Oct.3 between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Harvey's(2470 King George Highway, Miramichi)

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.