N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 9 new cases, jump in vaccination rates among long-term care workers

New Brunswick reported nine new cases of COVID-19 on Friday and a jump in the vaccination rates among long-term care home workers.

The province now has 139active cases of the respiratory disease.

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

The breakdown of the new cases is as follows:

Moncton region, Zone 1, one case:

• A person 50 to 59.

This case is a contact of a previously confirmed case.

Saint John region, Zone 2, two cases:

• A person 50 to 59.
• A person 60 to 69.

Both cases are travel-related and one individual is out of province.

Fredericton region, Zone 3, four cases:

• Four people 19 or under.

All four cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Bathurst region, Zone 6, two cases:

• A person19 orunder.
• A person40 to 49.

Both cases are travel-related.

New Brunswick has had 2,181 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. There have been 1,998 recoveries so far and 43 COVID-related deaths.

A total of331,080 COVID tests have been conducted, including1,682 on Thursday.

As of Friday, 413,364 New Brunswickers have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine. That's 59.6 per cent of the eligible population, aged 12 or older.

13 more homes reach 50% vaccination rate

Since Thursday, 13more long-term care homes now have at least half of their staff vaccinated with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, Social Development Minister Bruce Fitch announced Friday.

The jump comes after the province announcedit would implement mandatory COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated workers in some homes next week because of"unacceptable" low vaccination rates.

"This rapid progress is no surprise to me or to staff at the department," Fitch said in a statement. "We know the workers at these facilities are dedicated to protecting and serving our most vulnerable seniors."

Of the province's 563 long-term care homes,the number of with fewerthan 50 per cent of staff vaccinated is 86. That's down from 99 on Thursday.

All 70 nursing homes have staff vaccination rates above 50 per cent, according to a news release.

The Edmundston region, Zone 4, has the highest percentage of unvaccinated workers,at 28 per cent, according to a new website launched by the department.

A total of 74.1per cent of all long-term care home staff in the province has now received at least one dose or intend to get the vaccine, according to the website.

Fitch is encouragingany workers who havenot already made a vaccination appointment to do so as soon as possible.

Starting Monday, unvaccinated workers willbe required to take a rapid COVID-19 test every other day if they workin a facility where less than half ofthe staff have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The province has 383,224 rapid tests and hasdistributed 53,458 in various sectors to date, said Department of Health spokesperson Bruce Macfarlane. "The province's supply will be able to continue to meet the demand for rapid tests for as long as needed," he said in an emailed statement Friday.

Bump in the 'path to green'

Just one day after New Brunswick announced its "path to green," it has hit a bump.

Premier Blaine Higgssaid it's unlikely the province canopen up to Maine on July 1, as hoped, based on his call with Prime Minister JustinTrudeau and the other premiers Thursday night.

The Canada-U.S. border is federal jurisdiction and probably won't reopen in time, Higgs said.

But he believes later in July is possible.

New Brunswick's recovery planincludes three phases to slowly loosen restrictions, with target dates based on anticipated vaccination rates and low COVID-relatedhospitalizations.

Phase 2 calls fortravellers from Canada and Maine with at least one dose of a COVID vaccine tobe allowed into the province without having to isolate, startingJuly 1, provided at least 75 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers have received their first doseand at least 20 per cent of New Brunswickersaged 65or over have received their second dose.

Higgs said there's "a lot of interest" among the premiers in opening up with the U.S.

Last week, the federal government announced another month-long extension of Canada-U.S. border restrictions until June 21.

Higgsbelieves the non-essential travel ban will be extended again. "Whether it be another month or another few weeks, I thinkit's directly related tocan we get to the same level of vaccinations?Which, by the end of June would be probably a bit of a stretch."

More than 40 per cent of Americans are fully vaccinated. In New Brunswick, nearly 60 per cent of those eligible have received theirfirst dose, but only about 5.4 per cent have received their second shot.

There is a push to strike a federal deal to gain access to surplus doses from the New England states, however, he said.

"If we have greater access, we not only can meet our schedule, but we can move move it up."

The premiers also discussed COVD-19 vaccine passportsduring the call with the prime minister, said Higgs.

There were "varying opinions," but"it wasn't something that was generally accepted" for Canadians travelling between provinces, he said. The idea garnered more support when it came to international travellers.

At least 809 AstraZenecadoses claimed

At least 809 of the province's 3,500 doses ofAstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine, which are set to expire Monday, have been spoken for, according to the Department of Health.

Since last Friday,809 peoplehave booked an appointment to receivea second dose ofAstraZeneca through the online booking system for clinics being held by the Horizon and Vitalit health authorities, said departmentspokesperson Shawn Berry.

"This does not include individuals who may have booked through a pharmacy," he said in an emailed statement.

Last Friday, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell announced the province had3,500 dosesin stock, with an expiry date of May 31.

If the dosesaren't used by then, they will be disposed of, Russell had said.

During Thursday's COVID briefing, Russell told reporters she remained hopefulthat none of the doses would go to waste.

People over the age of 55 who received AstraZenecaas theirfirst dose at least eightweeks ago and wantto receive a second dose, can check for clinic availability in their area by booking online.

There are clinics planned Saturday in Woodstock and Saint John, Sunday in Fredericton and Monday in Moncton, Campbellton and Miramichi. People should book at least 36 hours ahead, department officials said.

To see if a pharmacy is offering second doses of AstraZeneca, visit the pharmacy's website or social media page.

Fredericton community transmission caseID'd

A case of community transmission in the Fredericton region, Zone 3, has been identified as the variant of concern first reported in the U.K., Department of Health spokesperson Bruce Macfarlane said in an email Friday.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell announced the case earlier this week and described it as concerning.

Public Health has been unable to trace the case to any other cases in the regionand believesit is adifferent strain, she had said.

"I'm not talking the variant here," she said. "I'm just talking that it's a different genetic sequence than whatever is circulating currently."

Macfarlane did not elaborate in his email on if or how the case is different than the other cases in the region involving the U.K. variant.

Delta Fredericton clusterreaches77

The clusterof COVID-19 cases linked to the former isolation hotel, the Delta Fredericton, has now reached 77, the Department of Health said Friday.

Twelve cases were directly linked to the Delta, said Macfarlane. The other 65 were contacts, either direct or indirect.

The outbreak in the Fredericton regionstems from the Delta, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell has confirmed.

She has declined to reveal whether the index case was an isolating guest, an employee or another guest, citing confidentiality.

The Delta cluster isfuelled by the highly contagiousvariant first reported in India and health officials believe there's a very strong probabilityit's spreading through surface contacts, rather than respiratory droplets or aerosols, according to an internal Horizon Health Network memo.

Small business grant enhanced and extended until green phase

More help is on the way for small businesses hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, withthe launch of Phase 2 of the New Brunswick Small Business Recovery Grant program, Opportunities NB announced Friday.

Under the enhanced and extended program, eligible businesses canapply for a non-repayable grant of up to $5,000 to help offset losses incurred sinceApril 1 because of tighterPublic Health restrictions even at the yellow COVID alert level.

Previously, businesses could only access the grants under the more restrictive orange, red or lockdownlevels.

In addition, the province has reduced the 30 per cent year-over-year drop in revenue threshold to 20 per cent when compared to the same month in 2019, said Economic Development and Small Business Minister Arlene Dunn, who is also the minister responsible for Opportunities NB.

"While the pandemic has been unpredictable, our commitment to business is not," she said in a statement."The changes we are bringing to the program will ensure New Brunswick businesses continue to get the support they need in a timely manner."

Eligible business types include restaurants and drinking establishments, hairstylists and spas,fitness facilities, entertainment centres,some tourism operators, and non-essential retail businesses located in lockdown zones.

Applications will be accepted beginning June 1.The program will remain openuntil New Brunswick reaches the green level of recovery, which is expected to be on Aug. 2.

Businesses that accessed the grant under the first phase remain eligible to apply for the full amount available under Phase 2.

Tourism industry urges travellers to come to New Brunswick

Thepresident of the Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick has a message for travellers.

"Come on over."

On Thursday, the province outlined a path toa green COVID-19 recovery phase by the beginning of August.

Carol Alderdicewelcomed the news.

"I actually had tears in my eyes."

She hasn't heard from members of the tourism industry yet, but she's certain"they must be elated."

"We absolutely need people to travel inNewBrunswick this summer."

The end is indeed in sight, but we must continue to be diligent

3 years ago

Duration 1:10

Premier Blaine Higgs unveils New Brunswicks road to green.

Last year, some businesses reported revenue losses of 50 to100 per cent.

"They couldn'tsurvive another summer like that," she said.

Premier Blaine Higgs said he wants to see the province "moving again" and for the rest of Canada to open up this summer.

"It's real, it's a possibilityand we don't want to lose another tourism season," Higgs said Friday morning.

Atlantic COVID roundup

Nova Scotia reported40 new cases of COVID-19 Friday. Total active cases are585.

Newfoundland and Labrador confirmed 14 new cases, as a cluster in Central Newfoundland reached the 60-case mark. The province now has 96 active cases.

Prince Edward Island has two new cases to report, both linked to travel outside Atlantic Canada, and has 12 active cases.

Latest public exposures

Public Health has identified a potential public exposure to the virus at the following locations:

Moncton region, Zone 1:

• Day & Ross Freight Terminal, 651 Frenette Ave., Moncton, onMay 20andMay 22.
• Wendy's Restaurant, 85 Harrisville Blvd., Moncton, onMay 22between noon and 8 p.m.

Fredericton region, Zone 3:

• The Reps Gym, 401 Connell St., Woodstock, onMay 17 to May 19between 8 p.m. and midnight.
• Capitol Building, 114 Queen St., Woodstock, onMay 17 to May 19.
• Day & Ross Freight Terminal, 398 Main St., Hartland, onMay 17 to May 22.

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

• Air Canada Flight 318 from Calgary to Montreal, departed at 11:43 a.m. onMay 15.
• Air Canada Flight 8904 from Montreal to Moncton, departed at 6:52 p.m. onMay 15.

Public Health isofferingCOVID-19 testing for all NewBrunswickerswho have been in a public exposure area, even if they are not experiencing any symptoms. Residents mayrequest a test onlineor callTele-Care 811.

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

Previous public exposures

Public Health previously reported the following potential public exposures:

Monctonregion, Zone 1:

• Moxie's Grill and Bar, 10WyseSt.,Moncton, onMay 21between 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.
• TimHortons, 170 St. George Blvd.,Moncton, onMay 21between 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. andMay 23between 8 a.m. and noon.
• A&W, 6 Champlain St., Dieppe, onMay 21between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• CodiacTranspoCityBus #60, onMay 21between 7:45 a.m. and 11 a.m.
• CodiacTranspoCity Bus #51, onMay 21between 7:15 p.m. and 10 p.m.
• Extreme Windows, 80LoftusSt.,Moncton, onMay 18,May 19,May 20andMay 21between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Subway, 100 Morton Ave.,Moncton, onMay 19between 8:30 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.
• TD Bank, 525RegisSt., Dieppe, onMay 22between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Fredericton region, Zone 3:

• Downtown Optometry Clinic, 169DundonaldSt., Fredericton, onMay 20between 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m
• The Head Shoppe, 1381 Regent St., Fredericton, onMay 21between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Arthurette General Store,1450 Route 109, Red Rapids, on May 11between 7a.m. and 9 p.m.,May 16between 10a.m. and 6p.m., andMay 21between 7a.m. and 10p.m.
• Save Easy,A-24 Columbus St., Perth-Andover, on May 11, May 14, May 15, and May 21between 8a.m. and 9p.m.
• Grant's Service Centre, 1151 W. Riverside Dr., Perth-Andover, onMay 13 between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• NB Liquor, 26F Tribe Rd., Perth-Andover,on May 13 between 10a.m. and 9p.m.
• Lewis Pharmacy, 14F Tribe Rd., Perth-Andover, onMay 11between 9a.m. and 7p.m., and May 14between 1p.m. and 3p.m.
• Squeaky's Convenience, 2-18F Tribe Rd., Perth-Andover, onMay 14 between 8a.m. and 11p.m.
• Castle Building Supplies, 24B Columbus St., Perth-Andover, on May 14 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., andMay 20 between noonand 5:30 p.m.
• Aldo Shoes, 1381 Regent St., onMay 19, between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• LeChteau, 1381 Regent St., onMay 19, between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• LawtonsDrugs, 1381 Regent St., onMay 19andMay 20, between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• Costco, 25 Wayne Squibb Blvd., onMay 21, between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Dollarama, 1033 Prospect St., onMay 21, between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Giant Tiger, 1160SmytheSt., onMay 21between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Costco,25 Wayne Squibb Blvd., Fredericton onSaturday, May 15, between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• Walmart Supercentre, 1399 Regent St., Fredericton onSunday, May 16, between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• Shoppers Drug Mart, 1040 Prospect St., Fredericton onSunday, May 16, between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
• Walmart,125 Two Nations Crossing, Fredericton onMonday, May 17, between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Dollarama, 125 Two Nations Crossing, Fredericton onMonday, May 17, between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Sobeys Fast Fuel,530 Brookside Dr., Fredericton onMonday, May 17, between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• Fadi's Pizza,312 Main St., Fredericton onTuesday, May 18, between noon and 2 p.m.
• Fredericton Regional Centre, 300 St. Mary's St., onTuesday, May 18, andWednesday, May 19, between8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Atlantic Superstore,116 Main St., Fredericton onWednesday, May 19, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Otherpublic exposures

Public Health said the dates of a previously reportedpublic exposure at the Fredericton YMCA daycare were incorrect. The correct dates are:

• Fredericton YMCA daycare, 570 York St., Fredericton, on Tuesday, May 18, andWednesday, May 19

Fredericton region:

• Christ Church (Parish) Church, 245 Westmorland St., Fredericton,Sunday, May 16, 10:30 a.m. service.
• Hope City Church, 429 Clements Dr., Fredericton, on Sunday, May 16, 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. services.
• Petro Canada, 20 Royal Rd., Fredericton, on Tuesday, May 18, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Home Depot, 1450 Regent St., Fredericton,Wednesday, May 19, between 5and 7 p.m.
• Scholten's, 325 Sunset Dr., Fredericton, onMay 17 between 4and 8 p.m.
• Atlantic Superstore, 116 Main St., Fredericton, onMay 16 between 9 and 11 a.m.
• Crowne Plaza Fredericton, 659 Queen St., Fredericton, onMay 15 between 3 p.m.and May 16 at noon.
• 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 9and 11 a.m. and between 2 and 4 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.
• Crowne Plaza Fredericton, 659 Queen St., between 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 15, and noon on Sunday, May 16.
• Costco, 25 Wayne Squibb Blvd., Fredericton, on Friday, May 14, between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• CJ Munn Equipment, 1095 Hanwell Rd., Fredericton, on Friday, May 14, between 1 p.m. and 4 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.
• McDonald's Restaurant, 1177 Prospect St., on May 14, between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.
• Cal's Independent Grocer, 135 Otis Dr., Nackawic, on May 14, between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
• Irving Big Stop Blue Canoe restaurant, 415 Nevers Rd., Waasis, onMay 14, between 10:30 a.m. and noon.
• Progressive Credit Union, 395 Connell Rd., Woodstock, on May 13, between 11 a.m. and 1 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.
• 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.
• A&W, 1018 Prospect St., Fredericton, on May 12, between noon and 2 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.
• 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 6and 8 p.m.
• Tony Pepperoni, 510 Brookside Dr., onMay 11,between 5and 7 p.m.
• The Drome, 301 Main St., onMay 11,between 8:45and 11 p.m.
• Shoppers Drug Mart, 1040 Prospect St., onMay 11, from 9to 10 a.m.
• Hilton Garden Inn Hotel and the Pickle Jar Restaurant, 620 Queen St., from May 11 to May 16.
• Tim Hortonsdrive-thru,Regent Street, onMay 10, at 1:30 p.m.
• Atlantic Superstore, 471 Smythe St, onMay 10, from 12:30to 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.
• WolastoqWharf, 527 Union St., on May 9, between noon and 2:30 p.m.
• Northside Market, 170 Main St., onMay 9,from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Irving Oil, 181 King St., onMay 9, from 8to 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.
• Delta Fredericton, 225 Woodstock Rd., on May 6-12.
• STMR. 36 Restaurant Delta Fredericton, 225 Woodstock Rd., on May 6-12.

Monctonregion:

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

Edmundston region:

• Tim Hortons, 54 Canada St., Saint-Quentin, onMay 16,between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.
• JeanCoutu, 177 Victoria St., on May 15, between noon and 1 p.m.

Bathurst region:

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

Flight exposures

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

• Air Canada 314 from Vancouver to Montreal, departed at 11:24 p.m. onMay 11.
• Air Canada 8902 from Montreal toMoncton, departed at 1:06 p.m. onMay 12.
• Air Canada 8946from Toronto to Moncton, departed at 8:47 p.m. on May 10.

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.