N.B. COVID-19 roundup: First children get pediatric COVID vaccine, outbreaks at Saint John hospital

Ninety-nine new cases of COVID-19 were reported Thursday as the province began vaccinating children five to 11 years old to try to slow the spread of the virus.

In Fredericton, brothersMax and Luc Corman were the first to receive theirfirst doses of the pediatric vaccine.

About 9,300 childrenhave appointments booked to get vaccinated, Health Minister Dorothy Shephard toldreporters at the legislature Friday morning.

"I am heartened that so many young New Brunswickers have received their first dose of vaccine and that even more have appointments to do so in the coming weeks," Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health, said in a statement.

To meet the demand for vaccinations, new clinicshave been added in the Monctonand Fredericton region, the province said.

More than 130 pharmacies will also take part in dispensing doses of thevaccine for children, receiving shipments betweenDec. 2 and Dec. 8, the province added.

More information is expected soon on when appointments at the pharmacies will become available.

Outbreaks declared at Saint John Regional Hospital

COVID-19 outbreaks have been declared in two units at the Saint John Regional Hospital, Horizon Health Network said in a news release Friday evening.

Outbreaks were declared in theorthopedic surgery (3CS) and internal medicine (4CN) units after a patient on each unit tested positive for COVID-19, communications advisor Kris McDavid said in the release.

He noted Horizon has implemented "comprehensive infection prevention and control precautions" as well as contact tracing to protect the health of patients and staff.

"Patient and staff in affected units are being tested," McDavid said. "So far, no further cases have been identified.Inpatients are being screened for COVID-19 symptoms ... every 12 hours."

There will be no patient admissions or transfers to and from these units during this time and the Designated Support Person (DSP) program will be temporarily suspended on these units.

Surgeries, labour and birth services, ambulatory care and professional services appointments will continue, McDavid said in the release.

787 active cases across province

Along with the 99 new cases of COVID on Friday, Public health reported55 more recoveries, putting the province's active case count at787, up from743.

Fifty-sixpeopleare inhospital with COVID-19, including 18 in intensive care, according to the daily news release.

The one person under 19 who has hospitalized because of COVID-19 Thursday is no longer in hospital.

A total of 87.8 per centof New Brunswickers aged 12 or older are now fully vaccinated, up from 87.7 per cent, and 93.5 per centhave received their firstdose, unchanged from the last update.

New Brunswick has had8,087 confirmed cases of COVID-19since the beginningof the pandemic, including7,176 recoveriesand123 COVID-related deaths.

Moncton region still leadingin new cases

The new cases break down this way:

Moncton region, Zone 1 48 cases:

• 19 people 19 and under
• Seven people 20 to 29
• 10 people 30 to 39
• Three people 40 to 49
• Five people 50 to 59
• Two people 60 to 69
• Two people 70 to 79

Thirty-one are under investigation and 17 are the contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Saint John region, Zone 2 23 cases:

• Seven people 19 and under
• Three people 20 to 29
• Five people 30 to 39
• Two people 40 to 49
• Three people 50 to 59
• Two people 60 to 69
• A person 70 to 79

Twelve cases are the contacts of previously confirmed cases and 11 are under investigation.

Fredericton region, Zone 3 15 cases:

• Three people 19 and under
• Three people 20 to 29
• A person 30 to 39
• Four people 40 to 49
• Three 50 to 59
• A person 60 to 69

Eight cases are under investigation and seven are the contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Campbellton region, Zone 5 two cases:

• A person 20 to 29
• A person 50 to 59

Both remainunder investigation.

Bathurst region, Zone 6 three cases:

• A person 19 and under
• A person 40 to 49
• A person 50 to 59

Two cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases and one is travel-related.

Miramichi region, Zone 7 eight cases:

• Five people 19 and under
• A person 30 to 39
• Two people 50 to 59.

Two cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases and six are under investigation.

Morecasesat the MonctonHospital

A total of 23 patients and five staff have tested positive for COVID-19 at the Moncton Hospital as of Friday, Health Minister Dorothy Shephard says.

"All the patients effected are being tested again today and staff will be tested early next week," she said.

On Wednesday, the cases at the hospital totalled 20, including three in intensive care.

7 schools currently affected

Ninenew cases of COVID-19 have been confirmedat sevenschools, theCOVID-19 dashboardshows.

Thirty-sixschools are currently impacted.

Three schools joined the list Thursday, includingMillerton Elementary and Junior High School in the Miramichi region, and Centennial School and BayviewSchool in the Saint John region.

The four other schools with active cases areGretna Green School in the Miramichi region,cole Le Sommet in the Monction region,Devon Middle School in the Frederiction region, andForest Hills School in the Saint John region.

A total of495cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at 141schools since the beginning of the school year.

A case has also been confirmed at the Boys & Girls Club of Saint John After School in the Saint John region.

New cases have also been confirmed at a several previously impacted facilities including Origins Natural Learning Centre in the Saint John region, Spring Roots Early Learning and Childcare Centre inthe Fredericton region,Northend Learning Center and Causerie Amicaleinthe Moncton region.

"If you or a family member have been in close contact with a case, you will be notified by Public Health or the facility for contact tracing,"Public Health said. "If you are not notified directly, you have not been identified as a close contact."

A total of 90 early learning child-carecentres have had confirmed cases of COVID-19 since Sept. 7

New public exposure notices

Public Health shared new public exposure noticeson Friday:

Saint John region, Zone 2:

• Nove.23 between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Giant Tiger(100 Prince Edward St., Saint John)
• Nov.20 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Brilliant Smoke Shop(122 Lansdowne Ave., Saint John)
• Nov. 20 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. JJ's Diner(216 Roachville Rd., Sussex)
• Nov. 18 and 19between 2 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Brilliant Smoke Shop(122 Lansdowne Ave., Saint John)
• Nov.13 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Vito's(324 Rothesay Ave., Saint John)

Acadie-Bathurst region,Zone 6:

• Nov.23 between 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Atlantic Superstore(3455 Main St., Tracadie-Sheila)

Nov. 14 between 6 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Knights of Columbus(4293Beauregard St., Tracadie-Sheila

For the full list of new and previous public exposure notices, please visitthe provincial 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 appointmentonlineor call Tele-Care 811 and must isolate while waiting for their test result.

People who are not fully vaccinated and do not have symptomsare now being instructed to pick up anAt-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, orPCR, test.

It can take up to 14 days to test positive after being exposed to COVID-19, so even ifresults comeback negative, peopleshould 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 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.