N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 2nd AstraZeneca-related death reported, 15 new COVID cases announced

A second New Brunswicker has died from arare blood clot disorder associated withthe AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell announced Friday.

The person in their 50s received their first dose on April 11 and went to an emergencydepartmentwith symptoms of a blood clot 17 days later, she said.

The individual was previously reported as being hospitalized and died "recently," said Russell, offering her condolences tothe bereaved family and friends.

She did not indicate thezone in which the person lived.

Two other New Brunswickers suffered avaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia, or VITT,after gettingthe AstraZeneca vaccine, but recovered.

Across Canada, two other deaths have been reported in Quebec and Alberta.

"The risks associated with this product are rare but they are real, as we have seen today," Russell told the live COVID briefing.

But the risks remain minimal compared to the risks, complications and potential consequences of COVID-19, she stressed.

The news came as Public Health announced people aged 55 or older who received AstraZeneca as a first dose at least eight weeks ago are now eligible to receive a second dose of the vaccine, with their "informed consent."

"If you decide not to take the AstraZeneca booster, you can wait to get a second shot with another product," said Russell. "We expect to receive direction from the federal government soon on using another brand of vaccine."

Pfizer-BioNTechand Moderna are the other vaccines currently available in New Brunswick.

The province has roughly 3,500 doses of AstraZenecain stock, whichwill expire on May 31. If the dosesaren't used by then, they will be disposed of, Russell said.

About 43,000New Brunswickers received AstraZenecaas their first vaccine dose.

"Many of those shots were administered prior to late March, when new evidence about rare post-vaccine blood clots led us to change our vaccination protocol," she said.

Russell said she's unaware of any other adverse events associated with AstraZenecabeing investigated in the province.

New Brunswickcontinuesto offerAstraZenecaas first doses to those 55 orolder, or who are confined at home, and have provided their informed consent, depending on supply.

"If we are to prevent further outbreaks and limit the spread of the virus, we must get as many people vaccinated as we can as quickly as possible," said Russell. "We need to use every tool available to us to expand the reach of our vaccination program."

The risk of blood clots associated with AstraZenecais currentlyestimated at one in 55,000 in Canada.

In New Brunswick, four people developed blood clots after about 43,000 doses of AstraZenecawereadministered. That works out to one blood clot reaction forevery 10,750 shots.

The risk ofdeveloping a blood clot after a second dose is reported as being roughly one in a million. "But that could change as more second doses are given," said Russell. "So we're going to keep monitoring that and we will provide that information to people who are getting their second dose with informed consent."

Russell participated in the briefingremotely from her home. She is isolating for 72 hours because of her connection with a school, where students,staff and household membershave been asked to self-isolate, she explained.

"In this particular situation, it's unlikely that I have contracted COVID-19, butit is vital that everyone follows Public Health guidance and advice. And that includes myself, the chief medical officer of health."

Earlier this month, aNew Brunswicker in their 60sdiedafter developingblood clotsfollowing vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

In April, someone in their 30sand someone in their 50salso suffered blood clots but recovered.

127 active cases

New Brunswick has 127 active cases of COVID-19.

Of the 15 new cases announced Friday, nineare in the Fredericton region, Zone 3, pushing the total active cases in the region to 61.

Fredericton is battling aclusterofcases at the Delta Frederictonthat has grown to 45, anoutbreak at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital, Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation and Veterans Health Unit, positive cases at four schools and now two child-care facilities.

The majority of the cases are the highly contagious variant first reported in India,saidRussell. The variantfirst reported in the U.K. is also circulating.

Several new potential public exposure notifications were also added to the already extensive list.

"We're watching this very closely. I mean, we're talking hour by hour," Russell said, describing the situation as concerning.

But for now, the region will remain at the yellow COVID alert level.

One of the reasons, she said, is because contact tracers have been able to establish links between almost all of the cases, and most of the spread has been among close contacts.

"We have seen other types of transmission where people were in public spaces as well. However, we have not seen community transmission at this point," Russell said.

In addition, the hospital still has capacity, with available ICU beds, and there are no long-term care homes affected.

If the situation worsens overthe weekend with evidence of community spread or a spike of cases, the province will not hesitate to tighten restrictions, Russellsaid. "This can change literally overnight," she said.

Health Minister Dorothy Shephard said if there's a "major shift," or large numbers of people not following the rules, she wouldn't be surprised if the government moves the region to the stricter red alert level or evenlockdown.

"It would be an obvious choice to make," she said.

The breakdown of the new cases is as follows:

Moncton region, Zone 1, one case:

• A person 40-49.

This case is under investigation.

Fredericton region, Zone 3, nine cases:

• A person 19 or under.
• A person20-29.
• Four people 30-39.
• A person 40-49.
• A person 50-59.
• A person 70-79.

Five cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases, three are travel-related and one is under investigation.

Bathurst region, Zone 6, four cases:

• A person 30-39.
• A person 40-49.
• A person 50-59.
• A person 60-69.

All four cases are travel-related. Three of the four cases are isolating out of the province.

Miramichi region, Zone 7, one case:

• A person20-29.

This case is a contact of a previously confirmed case.

Six peopleare hospitalized in New Brunswick, including two in an intensive care unit. One New Brunswickeris hospitalized out of province in an intensive care unit.

New Brunswick has had 2,113 confirmed cases ofCOVID-19 since the pandemic began, with 1,942recoveries so far, and 43 COVID-related deaths.

A total of 321,482COVIDtests have been conducted, including1,611 on Thursday.

As of Friday, 364,386 New Brunswickers have received at least one dose of vaccine. That's 52.6 per cent of the eligible population, aged 12 and over.

Holiday caution

Health officials are urging caution this holiday long weekend.

"We know from past experience that this could lead to further spread of the COVID-19 virus," said Russell.

Any unnecessary travel is discouraged,she said, and peopleshould continue to follow Public Health guidelines, such as wearing a mask, maintaining physical distancing and handwashing even those who have received one or both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

"If you feel unwell, please stay home," she said."If you have been in a place where there has been public exposure, please get tested and please get tested even if you have mild symptoms."

Shephardsaid people should limit themselves totheir household bubble and steady 15 contacts."There's a pretty good chance that that's going to be enough for people to really enjoy themselves," she said.

The province announced all provincial parks and campgrounds are opening this weekend.

Shephard said campground operators have a responsibility to ensure that people are usingtheir grounds properly and not having any large gatherings without a proper operational plan in place.

Count on summer

Premier Blaine Higgs told reporters Friday that loosening restrictions and plans to reopen the Atlantic bubble by July 1 will depend on the number of cases in the Fredericton region, Zone 3, remaining stable or dropping over the next few days.

"At the current projection of where we are,people should be planning on summerin New Brunswick," he said, committing torelease a detailed plan within the next couple of weeks.

Shephard said she hopes to "tease out the road to green" by as early as next week "so that people can see that they have something toreally push for.

"Get vaccinated, get us there."

Confirmed case at Kids Korral Day Care in Fredericton

A positive case of COVID-19 was confirmed at the Kids Korral Day Care in Fredericton on Thursday and the building was closed Friday.

Public Health has directed the children,staff, and their families to self-isolate for 72 hours while contract tracing is conducted.

Families will be contacted directly with more information over the weekend, Public Health said in a news release.

"If you do not hear directly from Public Health, you have not been identified as a close contact," it said.

Atlantic COVID roundup

Nova Scotiareportedtwo additional deaths related to COVID-19 Friday, as well as 84 new cases. The province has 1,028 active cases.

Newfoundland and Labrador confirmed 10 new cases of COVID-19 and an emerging cluster in the central part of the province. There are 70 active cases.

Prince Edward Island has one new case to bring its cumulative total to 200. The province now has 15 active cases.

New public exposures

Public Health has identified potential public exposures to the coronavirus at the following locations and dates:

Moncton region:

• Costco Wholesale, 140 Granite Dr., Moncton, on May 9,between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Fredericton region:

• Riverbend Golf Club, 541 Route 628, Durham Bridge, onMay 15,between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Penniac Ultramar, 22 Route 628,on May 15,between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and between 2 and 4 p.m.
• Crowne Plaza Fredericton, 659 Queen St., Fredericton, onMay 15 between 3 p.m., and May 16 at noon.

Edmundston region:

• Tim Hortons, 54 Canada St., Saint-Quentin, onMay 16,between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.

Bathurst region:

• Tim Hortons, 1420 Vanier Blvd., Bathurst, onMay 16,between 5 and 7 p.m.

Miramichi region:

• Kingsway Restaurant, 367 King George Hwy., Miramichi, onMay 8,between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Public Health is offeringCOVID-19 testing to anyone who has been in apublic exposure area, even it they're not experiencing any symptoms. Residents mayrequest a test onlineor callTele-Care 811 to book an appointment.

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

Previous public exposures

Fredericton region:

• Scholten's, 325 Sunset Dr., Fredericton, onMay 17 between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Atlantic Superstore, 116 Main St., Fredericton, onMay 16 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
• Progressive Credit Union, 395 Connell Rd., Woodstock, on May 13, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• A&W, 1018 Prospect St., Fredericton, on May 12, between noon and 2 p.m.
• University of New Brunswick Fredericton campus, residence administration building, 20 Bailey Dr., Fredericton, onMay 11andMay 12,between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Sobeys, 463BrooksideDr., Fredericton, on May 11,between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Tony Pepperoni, 510 Brookside Dr., onMay 11,between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• The Drome, 301 Main St., onMay 11,between 8:45 p.m. and 11 p.m.
• NB Power, 515 King St., onMay 12,between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• Sobeys Fast Fuel, 530 Brookside Dr., onMay 12,between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Costco, 25 Wayne Squibb Blvd., onMay 12,between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. andMay 13,between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Giant Tiger, 1160 Smythe St., onMay 13,between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Scholten's, 325 Sunset Dr., onMay 13,between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
• McMath Law Office, 406 Regent St., onMay 14,between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
• Fredericton Mitsubishi, 327 St. Mary's St., onMay 14,between 10:45 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Pizza Delight, 243 St. Mary's St., onMay 14, between noonand 2 p.m.
• The Abbey Caf, 546 Queen St., onMay 14,between noon and 12:30 p.m.
• Scotiabank, 490 King St., onMay 14,between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Sobeys, 1180 Prospect St., onMay 14,between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Cannon's Cross Pub, 15 Riverside Dr., onMay 14,between 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
• Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market, 665 George St., on May 15 between 10 a.m. and noon
• Moores Clothing, 1150 Prospect St., onMay 15,between 11 a.m. and noon.
• Home Depot, 1450 Regent St., onMay 15,between noon and 1 p.m.
• Montana's, 6 Trinity Ave., on May 2, between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• WolastoqWharf, 527 Union St., on May 9, between noon and 2:30 p.m.
• McDonald's Restaurant, 1177 Prospect St., on May 14, between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.
• Hilton Garden Inn Hotel and the Pickle Jar Restaurant, 620 Queen St., from May 11 to May 16

Harvey:

• KubbyholeCraft Shop, 1879 Route 3, on May 7, between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Nackawic:

• Cal's Independent Grocer, 135 Otis Dr., on May 14, between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Waasis:

• Irving Big Stop Blue Canoe restaurant, 415 Nevers Rd., onMay 14, between 10:30 a.m. and noon.

Public Health has identified a potential public exposure to the virus at the following location and date inEdmundston:

• JeanCoutu, 177 Victoria St., on May 15, between noon and 1 p.m.

Public Health has identified a positive case in a traveller who may have been infectious while on the following flights:

• Air Canada Flight 314 from Vancouver to Montreal, departed at 11:24 p.m. onMay 11.
• Air Canada Flight 8902 from Montreal toMoncton, departed at 1:06 p.m. onMay 12.

The province has also listed another flight with a passenger who has tested positive forCOVID-19 on May 7.

• Air Canada Flight 318 from Calgary to Montreal, departed at 11 a.m.

Other exposure notifications

Public Health has identified a positive case in a traveller who may have been infectious on May 6 while on the following flights:

• Air Canada Flight 396 from Edmonton to Toronto, departed at 6:50 a.m.
• Air Canada Flight 8898 from Toronto to Moncton, departed at 8:43 p.m.

Public Health has identified a positive case in a traveller who may have been infectious on May 10while on the following flight.

• Air Canada Flight 8946from Toronto to Moncton, departed at 8:47 p.m.

Public Health has identified a potential public exposure to the coronavirus at the following locations and dates in the following regions:

Monctonregion:

• Pumphouse, 5 Orange Ln., Moncton, onMay 4between 8 and 10 p.m.
• Staples, 233 Main St., Moncton, onMay 5,between noon and 8 p.m.
• Walmart Supercentre, 477 Paul St., Dieppe, onMay 6, between 7 and 10 p.m.
• Greco Pizza, 311 Acadie Blvd., Dieppe, onMay 7, between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m.
• Greco Pizza, 120KillamDr.,Moncton, onMay 5, between 5 p.m. and 1 a.m.,May 3,between 5p.m. and 1a.m., andMay 2,between 5 p.m. and 1 a.m.
• Greco Pizza, 311AcadieBlvd., Dieppe, onMay 4, between 4 p.m. and11p.m.
• Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre emergency department, 330UniversitAve.,Moncton, onMay 7,between 2-9:30 p.m., andMay 6,between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Saint John region:

• Foodland,1 Market Sq.,Quispamsis, onMay 3,between 4 p.m. and 5p.m.
• Circle K, 309 River Valley Dr., Grand Bay-Westfield, between 11:30 p.m. on Friday, May 7, and 1 a.m. on Saturday, May 8.

Fredericton region:

• My Home Consignment,5 Acorn St., Fredericton May 8between 10 a.m. and 4p.m.,May 7between 10 a.m. and 5p.m.,May 6between 10a.m. and 5p.m., and May 5 between 10a.m. and 5p.m.
• Sobeys, 1180 Prospect St., Fredericton,May 8between 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• Lunar Rogue, 625 King Ave., FrederictonApril 28 between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
• Fix Auto, 156GreenviewDr.,HanwellMay 6between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.,April 30between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.,April 29between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., andApril 28between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• Lunar Rogue, 625 King St., Fredericton, onApril 28,between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m.
• Fix Auto, 156GreenviewDr.,Hanwell, onMay 6,between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.,April 30,between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.,April 29,between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. andApril 28,between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• McDonald's Restaurant, 1177 Prospect St., onMay 5, at 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.
• McDonald's Restaurant in Walmart, 125 Two Nations Crossing, onMay 6, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
• Brainfix Clinic, 56 Avonlea Crt., onMay 6.
• Adica Massage Clinic, 152 King St., onMay 6.
• Williams Chiropractic, 169 Main St., onMay 6.
• Simms Home Hardware Building Centre, 190 King St., onMay 6.
• Costco Gas Bar, 5 Wayne Squibb Blvd., onMay 6.
• Massage Experts, 169 Dundonald St., onMay 6,from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and onMay 7, from 10:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Delta Fredericton, 225 Woodstock Rd., on May 6-12.
• STMR. 36 Restaurant Delta Fredericton, 225 Woodstock Rd., on May 6-12.
• Jack's Pizza, 379 King St., onMay 7, at 1 p.m.
• Mitch Clarke Skate Park, 116 Johnston Ave., onMay 7,from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Garrison Skatepark, York Street parking lot, onMay 7, from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• James Joyce Pub, 659 Queen St., onMay 7, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• McDonald's Restaurant, 94 Main St., onMay 7, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. andMay 8, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Princess Auto, 21 Trinity Ave., onMay 8, from 8 a.m. to noon.
• Fredericton Public Library, 12 Carleton St., onMay 8, from 10 a.m. to noon.
• Northside Market, 170 Main St., onMay 9,from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Irving Oil, 181 King St., onMay 9, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Dollarama, 5 Trinity Dr., onMay 9,from noon to 2 p.m.
• NB Liquor, 18 Trinity Dr., onMay 9, from noon to 5 p.m.
• Home Sense, 18 Trinity Dr., onMay 9, from noon to 5 p.m.
• Tim Hortonsdrive-thru,Regent Street, onMay 10, at 1:30 p.m.
• Atlantic Superstore, 471 Smythe St, onMay 10, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. andMay 11, from 10 a.m. to noon.
• Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital, 700 PriestmanSt., on May 10-11.
• Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation, 800 PriestmanSt., on May 10-11.
• Veterans Health Unit, 680 PriestmanSt., on May 10-11.
• Shoppers Drug Mart, 1040 Prospect St., onMay 11, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Scott's Nursery, 2192 Route 102, onMay 8, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

What to do if you have a symptom

People concerned they might haveCOVID-19 symptoms cantake a self-assessment test online.

Public Health says symptoms shown by people withCOVID-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.

• CallTele-Care 811 or their doctor.

• Describe symptoms and travel history.

• Follow instructions.