New Brunswick’s vaccination rate continues to grow, though the region has a long way to go before meeting its goals for reopening.
On Saturday, Public Health reported that 475,353, or rather 68.5%, of eligible residents in the province have received at least a dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
That implies 7,850 more N.B residents received a dose on Friday.
However, over 44,000 people need to be vaccinated by Monday at midnight before the next phase of reopening can start.
This would include opening a partial Atlantic bubble and some businesses, such as spas, gym, and restaurants, operating at full capacity.
This means at least 14,716 N.B locals a day need to be vaccinated to meet the goal.
New Brunswick has never given over 13,200 vaccinations in a day, with the average over the last week being 7,720.
Walk-in clinics added
The region has added multiple walk-in vaccination clinics on Saturday to push it toward getting 75% of eligible New Brunswickers partially vaccinated.
- Fredericton, Brookside Mall, 435 Brookside Drive (Horizon clinic at back). Walk-ins from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Edmundston, Knights of Columbus Hall, Saint-Jacques, 40 Paul-Grondin Avenue, Saint-Jacques. Walk-ins from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Moncton, Moncton Coliseum, 377 Killam Drive. Walk-ins from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Miramichi, Exhibition Building, 24 Church Street, Miramichi. Walk-ins from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- Saint John, Exhibition Place, 37 McAllister Drive, Saint John. Walk-ins from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (18 and older)
Saturday’s numbers
Public Health is reporting 9 new cases in the region Saturday. This brings the tally of active cases to 149.
Moncton region, Zone 1, 3 cases
- An individual 19 and under.
- An individual between 50 and 59.
- An individual between 60 and 69.
One case is a contact of the formerly identified case whereas two are under investigation.
Fredericton region, Zone 3, 4 cases
- Two individuals between 40 and 49.
- An individual between 50 and 59.
- An individual between 70 and 79.
Two cases are contacts of a previously identified case and two are under investigation.
Bathurst region, Zone 6, 2 cases
- An individual between 20 and 29.
- An individual 90 and older.
Both cases are contacts of previous cases.
Four people in N.B are hospitalized with COVID-19, with one in intensive care. There is additionally a person hospitalized in intensive care outside the region.
There have been 2,262 cases since the pandemic started, 2,068 recoveries and 44 deaths.
On Friday 1,337 COVID-19 tests were completed for a total of 342,212 throughout the pandemic.
Previous public exposures
Public Health has identified several new potential public exposures to the virus in 10 communities, so many that it’s no longer listing them individually in its daily news release Wednesday, opting instead to list only the communities. These include:
- Pointe-Sapin in Zone 1 (Moncton region).
- Oromocto in Zone 3 (Fredericton region).
- Fredericton in Zone 3 (Fredericton region).
- Saint-Quentin in Zone 4 (Edmundston region).
- Petite-Rivière-de-I’lle in Zone 6 (Bathurst region).
- Tracadie in Zone 6 (Bathurst region).
- Lamèque in Zone 6 (Bathurst region).
- Haut-Lamèque in Zone 6 (Bathurst region).
- Shippagan in Zone 6 (Bathurst region).
- Miramichi in Zone 7 (Miramichi region).
A detailed list of the potential exposures, including the locations and dates, is available on the government’s COVID-19 website. It is updated regularly.
Public Health is providing COVID-19 testing to anyone who has been in a public exposure area, even if they aren’t experiencing any symptoms. Residents may request a test online or contact Tele-Care 811.
Those experiencing one or more symptoms are as well encouraged to get tested.
What to do if you have a symptom
People concerned they might have COVID-19 symptoms can take a self-assessment test online.
Public Health says symptoms shown by those 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 kids, symptoms have additionally included purple markings on the toes and fingers.
If you experience one of those symptoms, you should:
- Stay at home.
- Call Tele-Care 811 or their doctor.
- Describe symptoms and travel history.
- Follow instructions.
