N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 35 new cases, Riverview school to close Wednesday

Students at Riverview East School are being asked to stay home Wednesday aftersomeone at the school tested positive forCOVID-19.

In a letter to parents on Tuesday, Pamela Wilson, acting superintendent for Anglophone School District East, said Wednesday will be an "operational day," to give Public Health time to confirm those who have been identified as a close contact.

"We understand you may feel anxious over the coming days," statedWilsonin the letter.

"Public Health will work with the school, and you will receive an email with a letter from the school if your child has been in close contact with the confirmed case and will tell you if your child needs to self-isolate."

While students are asked to stay home, the letter says staff will report to the school.

The announcement comes after New Brunswick Public Health reported35 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, including cases at twoschools in the Fredericton region.

A positive case has also been confirmed at anursing home in the Moncton region, CBC News has learned. Health officials did not immediately respond to a request to clarify whether it's included among the reported cases.

Of the 35 new cases, 30 of them or 86 per cent arenot fully vaccinated. Health officials did not say how many of themare under 12 and too young to be vaccinated or can't be vaccinated for medical or other reasons.

"Today, we are seeing confirmed cases in every region of the province and continuing to see an epidemic among the unvaccinated those who have chosen to remain unvaccinated as well as those who are not yet eligible," Dr. Jennifer Russell, the chief medical officer of health,said in a statement.

"It is imperative we have as many New Brunswickers vaccinated as possible."

A total of 77per cent of New Brunswickers aged 12 and older are now fully vaccinated, up from 76.9 on Monday, while 85.6 per cent have received at least one dose, the same rate as Monday.

Public Health reportedAndover Elementary School in Perth-Andover and Fredericton High School each have a positive case of COVID-19, but a noticeto parents from the Anglophone West School District indicatedtwo cases have been confirmed at Andover.

When asked for clarification, Department of Educationspokesperson Danielle Elliott confirmed two cases at Andover is correct and revised the Public Health news release.

Tuesdaywill be a distance learning day for all students at both schools, the district said.

People who have been in close contact with a case will be notified directly by Public Health for contact tracing.

UnderNew Brunswick'sHealthy and Safe Schoolsguidelines, schools with positive cases will close or move to online learning for at least one calendar day to support contact tracing, risk assessments and operational responses.

Some of the schools that were closed Monday remain closed today, includingSugarloafSenior High School and Campbellton Middle School. Tuesday will be an at-home learning day for students of both schools, according to notices posted on their websites.

Thirteen schools have had confirmedcases since Thursday. Positive cases have also been detected in three childcare facilities.

Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health,said Monday there has been no student-to-student spread. The positive cases were likely contracted before school started, she said.

83% of school, district staff fully vaccinated

As of Tuesday, roughly83 per cent of New Brunswick's public school system employees and school district staffare fully vaccinated, according to the Department of Education.

The remaining 17 per cent include "staff who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical exemptions, employees who have not yet submitted proof of vaccination and those who are currently waiting for their second shot," said department spokespersonFlavio Nienow.

The department is still awaitinginformation about casual employees in certain districts, he said.

Asked for a breakdown of vaccination rates among teachers, educational assistants, bus drivers, custodians and other employee groups, Nienow said the departmentis"unable to share specific information about the vaccination records of school employees," citing privacy.

"We urge school employees who have yet to be fully immunized to get their shot as soon as possible, as vaccination is the most effective way to help keep schools healthy and safe through the 2021-22 school year," he said in an emailed statement.

School and district employees who are not fully vaccinated mustundergo routine COVID-19 testing and wear a mask throughout the day under the provincial government's new vaccination policy, noted Nienow. Vaccination is also a condition of employment for new hires.

Meanwhile, all public schools in the province are implementing stricter mask rules for at least the next twoweeks.

Education Minister Dominic Cardy announced the measures Monday at a news conference.

A notice about the change was sent to parents Monday evening addressed fromDeputy Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development GeorgeDaley and Dr. Cristin Muecke, deputy medical officer of health.

"Students must wear a cloth mask or disposable mask all day at school, in common areas andin classrooms," it said.

"The mask may be removed for eating, or drinking, and during physical activity only."

Teachers are still allowed to remove their masks in the classroom to teach if they have been fully vaccinated for at least 14 days.

The extra safety measures are in light of positive cases inschools in the Moncton, Fredericton and Campbellton health zones, the note said.

BioNTech announced last weekit plans to seek worldwide approval for use of its COVID vaccine in children aged five to 11 within the next few weeks.

"We'll be standing by for that and then waiting for direction from health and public health about how quickly that vaccine can be administered and do whatever we can to put the school system at the disposal of folks in health so that we can reach those students," said Cardy.

"I certainly hear from lots of parents and even some of the students who are really looking forward to that day."

Sackville nursing home closed to visitors

A staff member of Drew Nursing Home in Sackvillehas testedpositive for COVID-19, executive directorLinda Shannon advised family members on Tuesday.

The case was not announced by Public Health.

Department of Health spokesperson Bruce Macfarlaneconfirmed the provincial rapid outbreak managementteam, also known as PROMT, was dispatched Tuesday afternoon. A COVID-19outbreak has not been declared at the home, he said.

Macfarlane did not clarify whetherthe positive case is included in the new cases already announced.

Testing and contact tracing will be conducted, and the home will beclosed to visitors until further notice, Shannon said in the notice, promising to keep families updated.

"Sorry for this inconvenience and we thank you for your co-operation as we continue to navigate through the pandemic," she wrote.

Drew Nursing Home is licensed for 118 beds, the Department of Social Development's website shows.

In addition to anurse practitioner andphysician, who oversee the residents' medical needs, and nursing staff, who areon duty around the clock, extra mural occupational therapists and physical therapists visit the home regularly, according to its website.

"A host of other consulting healthcare services are available," it states.

Community volunteers of all ages, including students from Mount Allison University, regularly help out with programming and activities at the home, according to thewebsite.

Church services are also offered on most Sundays, and voluntary pastoral care services are available from all the denominations in thetown, it states.

244 active cases

There are now 244 active cases of COVID-19 in New Brunswick.

Eleven people are hospitalized with the respiratory disease, eightof them inintensive care, down from nine.

Here is a breakdown of the 35 new cases:

Moncton region, Zone 1, 16 cases:

• Three people 19 orunder
• Eight people 20-29
• Two people 30-39
• Two people 40-49
• A person 50-59

Eleven of the cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases and five cases are under investigation.

Saint John region, Zone 2, two cases:

• Two people 20-29

Both of these casesare contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Fredericton region, Zone 3, three cases:

• Two people 20-29
• A person 60-69

All three of these cases are under investigation.

Edmundston region, Zone 4, two cases:

• A person 30-39
• A person 60-69

Both of these cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Campbellton region, Zone 5, nine cases:

• Six people 19 orunder
• Three people 30-39

Seven of the cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases and the other two are under investigation.

Bathurst region, Zone 6, one case:

• Aperson 30-39

This case is a contact of a previously confirmed case.

Miramichi region, Zone 7, two cases:

• A person 50-59
• A person 70-79

One case is a contact of a previously confirmed case and the other is under investigation.

New Brunswick has had3,066confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, with2,774 recoveries so far and 47 COVID-related deaths.

A total of425,800 tests have been conducted to date.

A list of upcoming walk-in vaccination clinicsis available online.

People can alsobookan appointment onlinethrough a Horizon orVitalithealth network clinic orthrough aparticipating pharmacy.

They are asked to bring their Medicare card, asigned consent formand, for those receiving a second dose, a copy of the record of immunization they received after gettingtheir first dose.

Grand Bay-Westfieldannounces vaccine policy

Firefighters in Grand Bay-Westfield who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will not be permitted to respond on emergency calls, the town announced on Tuesday.

It's part of a newCOVID-19 vaccine policyapproved by council.

Starting Sept. 20, town staff and council members will be asked to provide proof they are fully vaccinated.

Those who choose not to disclose their vaccination status, and those who are not yet fully vaccinated, will be required to take alternative safety measures to protect themselves and others from COVID-19, according to a news release.

These includeweekly testing for COVID-19 and wearing a maskin the workplace when within twometres of others.

New employees will also be tested prior to their start date.

In addition, visitors to town facilities will be required to wear a mask. However,masks can be removed if physical distancing can be maintained, such as once seated for a meeting.

"Council and administration are committed to the safety of those working in and visiting town facilities and will regularly evaluate the effectiveness of this policy and adjust it as required," the releasesaid.

New public exposurenotices

Public Health hasidentified new places in New Brunswick where people may have been exposed to the virus during the past two weeks.

Moncton region, Zone 1:

• Sept.9 and 10 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Supercuts(45 Plaza Blvd., Moncton)
• Sept.9 between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Swiss Chalet(80 Champlain St., Dieppe)
• Sept.8 between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. Supercuts(45 Plaza Blvd., Moncton)
• Sept.7 between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. TH Sports Group, Sports Complex(184 Barker St., Moncton)
• Sept. 6 between 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Pizza Delight(526 Main St., Shediac)
• Sept.6 between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Club Chasse et Pche Haute-Aboujagne(326 Aboujagne Rd., Haute-Aboujagne)

Saint John region, Zone 2:

• Sept.8 between 11 a.m. and noon Starbucks(15 Depot Ct., Saint John)
• Sept.8 between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Starbucks(641 Harding St., Saint John)
• Sept.8 between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Starbucks(30 Lacey St., Rothesay)
• Sept.8 between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Dollarama (101 McAllister Dr., Saint John)
• Sept.5 between 10:30 a.m. and noon Full Gospel Assembly(34 Mount Pleasant Ave. E, Saint John)

Fredericton region, Zone 3:

• Sept.10 between 8:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Acorn Restaurant(10 Route 635, Lake George)
• Sept.8 between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Turning Point Pentecostal Church(2031 Route 3, Harvey)
• Sept. 7 between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Northeast Christian College Opening Service(128 River St., Fredericton)
• Sept.7 between 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Northeast Christian College Dinner(128 River St., Fredericton)
• Sept. 3 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tobique Youth Center(268 Main St., Tobique First Nations)

Edmundston region, Zone 4:

• Sept.2, 3, 7, 8, 9, and 10between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Merritt Press(208 Main St., Grand Falls)
• Sept.8between 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Jean Coutu(276 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Aug. 31between noon and 1 p.m. Kat'n Dan's Pub & Restaurant (180 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls

Miramichi region, Zone 7:

• Sept.11 between noon and 1 p.m. Fundy Line Restaurant (869 King George highway, Miramichi)
• Sept.10 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. River Signs(2311 King George Highway, Miramichi)
• Sept.8 and 9 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. River Signs(2311 King George Highway, Miramichi)
• Sept.9 between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Jungle Jim's Restaurant(2441 King George Highway, Miramichi)

Atlantic COVID roundup

Nova Scotia reported 66 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday and delayed Phase 5 of its reopening planby 2 weeks until Oct. 4 because of the spike. The province has 173 active cases and four peoplein hospital.

Prince Edward Islandreported threenewcases and has 22active cases.

Newfoundland and Labradorreported nine new cases Monday andhas 40 active cases.

Previous exposure notices

Public Health has identified a positive case of COVID-19 in a person who may have been infectious while on the following flights:

Flight exposure notifications:

• Sept.8Air Canada Flight8790 from Montreal to Saint John departed at 7:53 p.m.
• Sept.5Air Canada Flight8502 from Montreal to Fredericton departed at 1:59 p.m.
• Sept.4Air Canada Flight8502 from Montreal to Fredericton departed at 1:58 p.m.
• Sept. 1Air Canada Flight7548 from Toronto to Fredericton departed at 8:55 p.m.

Public Health has also identified places in New Brunswickwhere people may have been exposed to the coronavirus duringthe past two weeks.

Moncton region, Zone 1:

• Sept.11 between 1:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. A & C Convenience Store laundromat(369 McLaughlin Rd., Moncton)
• Sept.10 between 10:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital CentreEmergency Room(330 Universit Ave, Moncton)
• Sept.10 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. McDonald's(420 Paul St., Dieppe)
• Sept. 8 between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. Golf Town(52 Wyse St., Moncton)
• Sept.8 between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Moncton Golf & Country Club clubhouse(212 Coverdale Rd., Riverview)
• Sept.8 between 7 p.m. and 2 a.m. Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital CentreEmergency Room(330 Universit Ave, Moncton)
• Sept.8 between 7:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centreoutpatient clinic(330 Universit Ave, Moncton)
• Sept.8 and September 7 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. MacDonald Buick GMC Cadillac (111 Baig Blvd. Moncton)
• Sept.7 between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. TH Sports Group, Sports Complex(184 Barker St., Moncton).
• Sept. 7 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. -Supercuts(45 Plaza Blvd., Moncton)
• Sept.6 between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Club Chasse et Pche Haute-Aboujagne(326 Aboujagne Rd., Haute-Aboujagne)
• Sept.5 between 10:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. Casino New Brunswick(21 Casino Dr., Moncton)
• Sept.5 between midnight and 2 a.m. Second Floor Nightclub(837 Main St., Moncton)
• Sept.5 between 2 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. Mama's Restaurant(806 Main St., Moncton)
• Sept.5 between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. Shediac Market(10 Weldon St., Shediac)
• Sept.4 between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. -Cosmo dance night club(837 Main St., Moncton)
• Sept.4 between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Walmart(477 Paul St., Dieppe)
• Sept.4 between 7:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dieppe Market(232 Gauvin St., Dieppe)
• Sept.4 between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Kelsey's Restaurant(141 Trinity Dr., Moncton)
• Sept.4 between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Nita's Bar and Grill(1999 Mountain Rd., Moncton)
• Sept.4 between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Champlain Mall(477 Paul St., Dieppe)
• Sept.3 between 7:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Caf Cognito(581 Main St., Moncton)
• Sept.3 between 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Dieppe Market(232 Gauvin St., Dieppe)
• Sept.1 between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. The Third Glass Bar, 819 Main St., Moncton)
• Aug.31 between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Service NB Dieppe(200-258 Champlain St, Dieppe)
• Aug.31 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. 24/7 Fitness Club(121 Pine Glen Rd., Riverview)
• Aug.31 between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. Wise Guyz Pub(176 Robinson St., Moncton)
• August 30 between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Oceanside Fitness(184 Main St., Shediac)

Saint John region, Zone 2:

• Sept.7 between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Walmart(450 Westmorland Rd., Saint John)
• Sept.7 between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Superstore(168 Rothesay Ave., Rothesay)
• Sept.4 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Old Navy(90 Consumers Dr., E Saint John)
• Sept.4 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Java Moose Coffee(519 Westmorland Rd., Saint John)
• Sept.1 between 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Costco(300 Retail Dr., Saint John)

Frederictonregion, Zone 3:

• Sept.8 between noon and 5 p.m. Kings Landing(5804 Route 102, Prince Williams)
• Sept.4 between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Subway(Unit 3, F. Tribe Rd., Perth-Andover)
• Sept.4 between 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Upper Miramichi Rural Community Park(6094 Route 8, Boiestown)
• Sept.3 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tobique Youth Center(268 Main St., Tobique First Nations)
• Sept.1, 2, 3, and Aug.30 and 31between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Goodine Insurance(126 Ford Rd., Perth-Andover)
• Sept.3 between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Guardian Johnson Drug(16F. Tribe Rd., Perth-Andover)
• Sept.3 between 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. TCBY Yogurt(121 Route 550, Hartford)
• Sept.2 between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Swiss Chalet(961 Prospect St., Fredericton)
• Sept.2 between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Princess Auto(21 Trinity Ave., Fredericton)
• Sept.2 between 6:30 p.m. and 7:10 p.m. Wetmore Street Pub(530 New Maryland Highway, New Maryland
• Sept.1 between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. County Tractors & Machinery Ltd.(9130 Route 130, Florenceville-Bristol)
• Aug.31 between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. Springwater Campground pool (2539 Route 130, Four Falls)
• Aug.30 between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tim Horton's(22F. Tribe Rd., Perth-Andover)
• Aug.30 & 31Amsterdam Inn & Suites(383 Centreville Rd., Florenceville-Bristol)

Edmundston Region, Zone 4

• Sept.9between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Atlantic Superstore(240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept.8between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Le Grand-Saut(155 Broadway Bd., Grand Falls)
• Sept.8 and 9between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CCNB Edmundston campus (35, rue du 15 aot, Edmundston)
• Sept.8 and 9between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. UMCE Universit de Moncton, Edmundston campus (165 Hbert Blvd., Edmundston)
• September 8 between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. A&A Ouellette Entreprise Ltd(1423 Tobique Rd., Drummond)
• Sept.7 between 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Walmart(494 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept.5 between 4: p.m. and 4:30 p.m. FOODLAND(535 Everard H. Daigle Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Sept.5 between 9:30 a.m. and noon St. Patrick Catholic Church(2154 Route 130, Limestone Siding)
• Sept.4 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Burger King(100 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Sept.3 between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Walmart(494 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept.3 between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Canadian Tire(383 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept.3 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Town Hall[Public Health Office, Mental Health Office, Social Development, Library, Police Office, Town Planning Office](131 Pleasant Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept.2 between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Theriault and Morin Dentist(148 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Sept.1 between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Walmart(494 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 1 between 8 a.m. and noon Shoppers Drug Mart(344 Canada Road, Unit B, Saint Quentin)
• Aug.31between noon and 1 p.m. Kat'n Dan's Pub & Restaurant (180 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Aug.31 between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Shoppers Drug Mart(344 Canada Road, Unit B, Saint Quentin)
• Aug.30 between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. BMR(Labrie Road, Saint Quentin)
• Aug.30 to September 1 between 8 a.m. and noon Bonichoix(145 Canada Road, Saint Quentin)
• Aug.30 between 8 a.m. and noon Shoppers Drug Mart(344 Canada Road, Unit B, Saint Quentin)

Campbellton region, Zone 5:

• Sept.10between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Tap's Bar(42 Water St., Campbellton)
• Sept.8 and 9between 5 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Gym Fitness(384 Dover St., Campbellton)
• Sept.8 and 9between8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. CCNB Campbellton(47 Village Ave., Campbellton)
• Sept.7between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. Atlantic Superstore(25 Savoie Ave., Atholville)
• Sept. 7 between 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.Restigouche Walk-In Clinic(68 Water St., Campbellton)
• Sept.7between 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Salon de Coiffure Cheveux Modern Hair(59 Water St., Campbellton)
• Sept.6between noon and 3:30 p.m. Super 8 Hotel (Reception and Pool)(26 Duke St., Campbellton)
• Sept.6between 11 a.m. and noon Dairy Queen(84 Notre Dame St., Atholville)
• Sept.5 between 2:45 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.North Shore Cinema(52 Roseberry St., Campbellton)
• Sept.4 and 5Life Church(198 Roseberry St., Campbellton)
• Sept.4 between 7 p.m. and midnightBalmoral Community Centre(21 Centre Rd., Balmoral)
• Sept.4between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Atlantic Superstore(25 Savoie Ave., Atholville)
• Sept.4Restigouche Golf and Country Club(30565 McLeods Rte. 134, Campbellton)
• Sept.3between noon and 1 p.m. Chez Kim Restaurant(65 Water St., Campbellton)
• Sept.3between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Life Church(198 Roseberry St., Campbellton)
• Sept.2between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Atlantic Superstore(25 Savoie Ave., Atholville)
• Aug.30 to Sept.4Chubby's Barber Shop(81 A Roseberry St., Campbellton

Acadie-Bathurst region, Zone 6:

• Sept.8 between 8 a.m. and noon CCNB Bathurst Campus, Main Building(725 Collge Rd., Bathurst)
• Sept.4 between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Studio Olympus(1079 Principale Rd., Beresford)
• Sept.2 between 10 p.m. and 12:15 a.m. Dooly's(426 B St., Tracadie-Sheila)
• Aug.30 between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Sobeys(1125 St. Peter Ave., Bathurst)

Miramichi region, Zone 7:

• Sept.8 between 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Cali.Co. Caf(1 Allan St., Miramichi)

The full list of possible exposuresis updated regularly and is available on the government's website.

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.