N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Province falls short of 75% vaccination target; 7 new cases reported

New Brunswick still hasn't quite hit the vaccination target needed to move to the first phase of reopening in the province.

As of Sunday morning,517,265 New Brunswickers, or 74.6 per cent of the eligible population, have a first dose COVID-19 vaccine.

That means 3,096 people received first doses on Saturday.

The province had hoped to reach the 75 per cent thresholdby June 7. But one week later, and the province is just shy of that goal.

Several walk-in vaccination clinics were open over the weekend with no appointments required, in an effort to get more New Brunswickers vaccinated.

A walk-in clinic in St. Stephen is open Sunday at the Garcelon CivicCentre from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

97 active cases

New Brunswick Public Health reported seven new cases of COVID-19 Sunday.There are now 97 active cases in the province.

Here's a breakdown of the new cases:

In the Fredericton region, Zone 3:

• two people 19 and under,
• a person 60 to 69.

In the Bathurst region, Zone 6:

• a person 19 and under.
• two people 60 to 69.
• a person 70 to 79.

All seven cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

There are four patients in hospital in New Brunswick, including one in intensive care. There is one patient in hospital outside of the province.

There have now been 2,298 cases of COVID-19 in New Brunswick and 2,155 recoveries.

A total of 350,768 tests have been conducted, including 697 Saturday.

Confirmed case atcole Marie-Esther

Public Health reported a positive case of COVID-19 atcole Marie-Esther in Shippagan Sunday.

Parents and staff have been notified and will get a message from Public Health should they need to isolate.

The school has not determined if the case will impact in-person learning.

Latest public exposures

Public Health has identified potential public exposures to the virus in the Acadie-Bathurst region, Zone 6:

• McDonald's,3458 Main St, Tracadie, June 10 between11:30 a.m. and 2p.m.

• McDonald's,3458 Main St, Tracadie, June 7 between12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

• Le Camp Rejean,10226 Route 150, Six Roads, June 6 between 4 p.m. and closing.

• L'glise de la Paroisse St-Jrme de Shippagan,110, University St., Shippagan

Public Health is offering COVID-19 testing to anyone who has been in a public exposure area, even if they are not experiencing any symptoms. Residents mayrequest a test onlineor call Tele-Care 811.

People experiencing one or more symptoms are also encouraged to get tested.

Previous public exposures

Public Health has identified numerous potential public exposures to the coronavirus in many communities across the province, so many that it has stopped listing them individually in its daily news release.

Adetailed list of the potential exposures, including the locations and dates, is available on the government's COVID-19 website. It is updated regularly.

What to do if you have a symptom

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:

• Fever above 38 C.

• 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.