N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 34 new cases, First Nations see rising numbers

Thirty-four new cases of COVID-19 were reported in New Brunswick on Tuesday.

Forty-three people recovered from the illness, bringing the total number of active cases in the province to516, Public Health said.

Twenty-two peopleare in hospital, including14 in intensive care.

No one under the age of 19 is in hospital.

The province didn't say how many cases in hospital wereunvaccinated orvaccinated.

Public Health said 86.8per cent of New Brunswickers over the age of 12 are fully vaccinated, up from 86.7 per cent since the last update, and93.2per centhave received their firstdose, up from93.1 per cent.

A total of 539,778 COVID-19 tests have been done since the beginningof the pandemic.

Breakdown of new cases

The 34 new cases of COVID-19 were reported across five health regions, with the highest number in the Fredericton region.

New cases were declared inWelamukotuk(Oromocto First Nation), Kingsclear First Nation,Esgenopetitj First Nation (Burnt Church), andSt. Mary's First Nation (Sitansisk).

A case has also been confirmed at a YMCA Afterschool and YMCA Childcarein the Moncton region, and at Reaching for Rainbows Daycare and JD Tae Kwon Do in the Fredericton region.

"Affected families have been notified," the province said."If you are not notified directly, you have not been identified as a close contact."

According to provincial data, children under the age of 10 now make up the third-highest number of cases in New Brunswick.

Thehighest number are among those in their 20s, followed by those in the between 10 and 19.

The new cases break down this way:

Moncton region, Zone 1, 10 cases:

• A person 19 and under
• A person 20 to 29
• Five people 30 to 39
• A person 40 to 49
• A person 50 to 59
• A person 70 to 79

Seven are under investigation, while three are the contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Saint John region, Zone 2, six cases:

• Three people 19 and under
• Two people 20 to 29
• A person 30 to 39

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

Fredericton region, Zone 3, 12 cases:

• Five people 20 to 29
• Five people 30 to 39
• A person 50 to 59
• A person 60 to 69

Nineare under investigation, and three are the contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Bathurstregion, Zone 6, one case:

• A person 50 to 59

The case is thecontact of a previously confirmed case.

Miramichi region, Zone 7, fivecases:

• Two people 19 and under
• A person 30 to 39
• Two people are 60 to 69

Two cases are under investigation, whilethree are the contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Cases rise in 7 First Nation communities

Public Health provided an update on the number of COVID-19 cases in outbreaks touching several First Nation communities in the Fredericton and Miramichi regions.

In the Fredericton region they include:

• St. Mary's First Nation (Sitansisk):13cases since the outbreak was declaredon Nov. 12.
• Woodstock First Nation: 16 cases since the outbreak was declared on Nov. 12, unchanged from the last update.
• Welamukotuk(Oromocto First Nation): 22 cases since the outbreak was declared on Nov. 12, up from 15 cases.
• Kingsclear First Nation: 13 cases since the outbreak was declared on Nov. 14, up from six cases.

In the Miramichi region they include:

• Metepenagiag (Red Bank First Nation): Three cases since the outbreak was declared on Nov. 13,unchanged from the last update.
• Natoaganeg First Nation (Eel Ground): Four cases since the outbreak wasdeclared on Nov. 13, unchanged from the last update.
• Esgenopetitj First Nation (Burnt Church): 11 cases since the outbreak wasdeclared on Nov. 13, up from eight cases.

Members of a First Nation are eligible for a third dose of an mRNA vaccineif six months have passed since their second dose of a vaccine, the province says.

Some communities have already been holding booster shot clinics and are working on vaccinating the remaining members of the community who haven't had two doses.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization,thebody that provides advice to the Public Health Agency of Canada, saysIndigenous adultsshould be prioritized because they experiencean increased risk of exposure toCOVID-19 and have limited health-care options.

Officials are asking people toanswer their phone if it says "unknown caller" because it could be a contact tracing call.

Deadline coming for proof of vaccination from health-care workers

At a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Health Minister Dorothy Shepard said the province still intends to put health-care workers on leave if they fail to provide proof of vaccination.

"I think people were waiting for us to change our minds, and we haven't changed our minds," she told a reporter while sharingan update on health-care reforms in the province.

Friday is the deadline to provide proof. Civil servants, people workingin education or at aCrown corporation also fall under themandate.

New public exposure notices

The province shared new public exposure noticeson Tuesday.

The new exposure sites include:

Moncton region,Zone 1:

• Nov. 5, 6, 12, and 13between 10:30 p.m. and2 a.m.Cassi Lounge and Bar(212 St. George St., Moncton)
• Nov. 10 between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Brew-It Store(101 Sunset Rd., Dieppe)
• Nov.9 between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Saint Paul Catholic Church(6476 Route 515, Saint Paul)

Saint John region, Zone 2:

• Nov.11 between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. Cineplex(175 McAllister Dr., Saint John)
• Nov. 10 between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Long & McQuade(569 Rothesay Ave., Saint John)

Fredericton region, Zone 3:

• No.12 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Guardian Ryan's Pharmacy(135 Otis Dr., Nackawic)

Earlier notices of potential exposures can be foundon the 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.

QR codes availablefor New Brunswickerstravelling

A proof of vaccination record that includes a QR code that can be used for domestic or international travel is now available to New Brunswickers.

Travellers can register for the QR Code through the online portal at MyHealth.gnb.ca.

The code isrecognizedby the Canada Border Services Agency and can be displayed onthe applicationArriveCAN.

A paper copy or image of someone's vaccination record can still be used by those travellingwho don't have a QR code issued, the government website says.

"Within New Brunswick, the original paper immunization record, a photograph or digital copy of the immunization record or the digital vaccination status on MyHealthNB will continue to be used for proof of vaccination, along with a valid government ID," the government saidin the COVID news release Tuesday.

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.