3 COVID deaths recorded as N.B. cases increase slightly, child under 4 dies from flu

Three more New Brunswickers have died from COVID-19, and one childdied of influenza, according to data from the province updatedWednesday.

Hospitalizations for COVID-19 have slightly increased, while influenza hospitalizations remained steady in the period of March 17 to March 23,according to the provincial Respiratory Watch report.

"COVID-19 activity remains moderate; some indicators (number of cases, percent positivity, and hospitalizations) increased slightly," the report says.

The person who died of influenza was four yearsold or younger.

All three people who died of COVIDwere 65 or older.Their deathsraisethe province's pandemic death toll to at least1,025.The actual total is unclear because the Department of Healthcounts only people who die in hospital as COVID deaths.

Twenty one people were hospitalized because of COVID or for something else and later tested positive, up from15 in the previous report.

One person required intensive care, which is unchanged from the last report.

Of those hospitalized, one is four years old or younger, one is between five and 19, and 20are 65 or older, including the onein ICU.

5 outbreaks, 52new cases

A total of fivelab-confirmed COVID-19 outbreaks were declared, one down from last week. The outbreaks were all in "other facilities." The data does not define other facilities, but thismeans none of the outbreaks were in nursing homes.

Fifty-twocases ofCOVID-19 were reported, up from 40.

The positivity rate or the percentage of lab tests performed that produced a positive result is fiveper cent, up from three.

Flu sends 13 to hospital, 2 to ICU

The flu sent 14 people to hospital between March 17 and March 23, up from 13the previous report.

One person required intensive care, downfrom two

Of those hospitalized, four were 19 or younger, four between the ages of 45 and 64, includingone in ICU, andsix were 65orolder.