N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 108 new cases, no plan to restrict travellers entering province

New Brunswick reported108new cases of COVID-19on Sunday, bringing the total number of active cases to 1,258.

The new cases are spread across all seven health regions but mostly concentrated in the Saint John region.There are 82 recoveries, Public Health said Sunday.

Interim COVID-19 measuresto slow the spread of the Omicronvariant came intoeffect over the weekend.

The restrictions include limiting contacts to a steady group of 20, the reinstatement of physical distancing in public spaces indoors, and reduced capacity at venues like movie theatres, sporting arenas and casinos.

There were no new cases of Omicron reported in the province Sunday, leaving the number of Omicroncases at 30.

"Our case count is still primarily the Delta [variant)," Premier Blaine Higgssaid in an interview with Rosemary Barton on Sunday. "Ithas been pretty consistently and stubbornly Delta [now for] several weeks."

The province also doesn't intend to prevent travellers from entering the province, Higgssaid.

Forty-three people are in hospitalwith COVID-19, an increase of three. There are 13in intensive care and seven requiring ventilators. Those numbers are unchanged from the last update.

Of those in hospital,26 are over the age of 60.

"Six of the 43 people hospitalized were initially admitted for other reasons and contracted COVID-19 due to outbreaks at hospitals in Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton and Miramichi," Public Health said in a release.

No one is in hospital is under the age of 19.

A total of 82.6per centof eligible New Brunswickersarefully vaccinated against COVID, unchanged from the last update, and89.4 per cent have receivedtheir first dose, up from89.3 per cent.

The COVID-19 dashboard shows 13.3 per centof those eligible for a booster dose have received one, up from12.8 per cent.

Amongchildrenaged five to 11 years old, 37.1 per cent have received their first dose of the vaccine, up from 35.5 per cent.

A full list of walk-in clinicsis available online. No clinics are currently scheduled between Dec. 24 and Dec. 27 because of the holidays.

People can also schedule an appointment at a regional health authority clinic through theonline booking systemor at aparticipating pharmacy.

Breakdown of new cases

New cases of COVID-19 were reported in all regions.

The highest number, 26, are children nine and under. Nineteen cases are ages 30-39.

Moncton region, Zone 1 23 cases:

• One child nine and under.
• Three people 19 and under.
• Five people 20-29.
• Five people 30-39.
• Two people 40-49.
• Two people 70-79.

Saint John region, Zone 2 40 cases:

• Eight children nine and under.
• Five people 19 and under.
• Two people 20-29.
• Seven people 30-39.
• Five people 40-49.
• Four people 50-59.
• Five people 60-69.
• Three people 70-79.
• One person 80-89.

Fredericton region, Zone 3 24cases:

• Sevenchildren nine and under.
• Three people 19 andunder.
• Three people 20-29.
• Three people 30-39.
• Four people 40-49.
• Two people 60-69.
• Two people 70-79.

Edmundston region, Zone 4 eight cases:

• Two people19 and under.
• One person 20-29.
• One person 30-39.
• One person 40-49.
• One person 60-69.
• Two people 70-79.

Campbellton region, Zone 5 one case:

• One childnine and under.

Bathurst region, Zone 6 one case:

• One person 30-39.

Miramichi region, Zone 7 11cases:

• Four childrennine and under.
• Two people 20-29.
• Two people 30-39.
• One person 40-49.
• Two people 70-79.

New Brunswick has recorded10,554 confirmed cases of COVID-19since the beginning of the pandemic, with 9,146recoveries.

A total of592,211tests have been conducted to date, including 1,190 since Saturday.

Atlantic COVID roundup

• Nova Scotiadeclared 476 new caseson Sunday, breakinganother daily case count record this week.There is no new information about hospitalizations. As of Friday, seven people were in hospital, including two in intensive care.
• Newfoundland and Labradorreported 38 cases for Saturday and 23 for Sunday. As of Tuesday afternoon, all fully vaccinated travellers will need to isolate for five days upon arrival. They will need to take arapid testevery day for five days and, if they are all negative, they can leave isolation after five full days or 120 hours have passed.
• Prince Edward Islandreported 13 new cases on Saturday. As of Friday, there were 75 active cases, P.E.I.'s highest active case count since the pandemic was declared.The number of active cases will be updated Monday.

Public exposures declared on Saturday

The province also shared new exposure sites on Sunday, with the highest number mentioned in the Fredericton area.

Moncton region, Zone 1:

• Dec.12, Between 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. -Moncton Press Club(160 Assomption Blvd., Moncton)
• Dec.17, Between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. -Moncton Hospital, Emergency Room(135 MacBeath Ave., Moncton)
• Dec.15, Between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. -The Fisherman Restaurant(640 Main St., Shediac)

Saint John region, Zone 2:

• Dec.12, Between 8:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. -Kings Church(332 Hampton Rd., Quispamsis)
• Dec.13, Between 3:50 p.m. and 6 p.m. -Canada Games Aquatic Centre(50 Union St., Saint John)

Fredericton region, Zone 3:

• Dec. 10, Dec.12, -Keswick Valley Arena(25 Route 617, Burtts Corner)
• Dec. 12, Between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. -Exit 153 Restaurant(383 Centreville Rd., Florenceville-Bristol)
• Dec. 10, Between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. -McConnell Hall - UNB(19 Bailey Dr., Fredericton)
• Dec. 11, Between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. -Regent Mall Food Court(1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
• Dec. 9, Between noon and 1:30 p.m. -McConnell Hall - UNB(19 Bailey Dr., Fredericton)
• Dec. 14-Sobey's(375 Miramichi Rd., Oromocto)
• Dec.13, Between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. -Jeff's Your Independent Grocer(220 Main St., Plaster Rock)
• Dec.4 to Dec. 10-Jeff's Your Independent Grocer(220 Main St., Plaster Rock)
• Dec. 12, Between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. -Walmart(430 Connell St., Woodstock)

Edmundston region, Zone 4

• Dec.12, Between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. -Jean Coutu(177 Victoria St., Edmundston)
• Dec.13, Between 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. -NB Liquor(575 Victoria St., Edmundston)
• Dec.13, Between 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. -Supermarch IGA (Donat Thriault)(580 Victoria St., Edmundston

Bathurst region, Zone 6

• Dec. 14, Between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. -Shell Station du Parc(1078 Rue du Parc, Pacquetville)
• Dec. 15, Between noon and 9 p.m. -Shell Station du Parc(1078 Rue du Parc, Pacquetville)
• Dec. 16, Between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. -Shell Station du Parc(1078 Rue du Parc, Pacquetville)
• Dec. 10 -IPC Investment Corporation - Michel Losier(613 Rivire--La-Truite St., Rivire--la-Truite)
• Dec. 13 to Dec. 17 -IPC Investment Corporation - Michel Losier( 613 Rivire--La-Truite St., Rivire--la-Truite)
• Dec. 10, Between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. -Le Up'n Down Resto-Bar(3427 Principale St., Tracadie-Sheila)

For the full list of new and previous public exposure notices, visit theprovincial government's website.

People who have not been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to a possible exposure and who have symptoms should get a COVID lab test. They can book an appointment online or call Tele-Care 811 and must isolate while waiting for their test result.

People who are not fully vaccinated and do not have symptoms are now being instructed to pick up an At-Home COVID-19 Rapid Point of Care Test (Rapid POCT) screening kit. They do not need to isolate if they have not been directed by Public Health to do so.

All positive point-of-care test results must be confirmed with a laboratory polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, test.

It can take up to 14 days to test positive after being exposed to COVID-19, so even if results come back negative, people should continue to self-monitor for any symptoms and get tested immediately if any develop.

They should also avoid visiting settings with vulnerable populations, such as nursing homes, correctional facilities and shelters during that 14-day period.

For people who have been fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to a possible exposure, Public Health recommends they monitor for symptoms for 14 days after the possible exposure and get a COVID lab test if symptoms develop.

They do not need to isolate while they wait for their test results.

If they do not have symptoms, they can pick up a rapid test kit and do not need to isolate.

What to do if you have a symptom

People concerned they might have COVID-19 can take 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.