GNB: Nine new cases / revised case count

16 April 2021

FREDERICTON (GNB) – Public Health reported nine new cases of COVID-19 today.

The two cases in Zone 1 (Moncton region) are as follows:

• an individual 20-29. This case is a contact of a previously reported case.

• an individual 30-39. This case is travel related.

The one case in Zone 2 (Saint John region) is as follows:

• an individual 80-89. This case is travel related.

The six cases in Zone 4 (Edmundston region) are as follows:

• three people 19 and under;

• an individual 30-39; and

• two people 50-59.

Of these six cases, four are contacts of a previously confirmed case and two are under investigation.

Revised case count

Public Health is revising the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in New Brunswick.

Two previously reported cases in Zone 4 (Edmundston region) have been removed from the confirmed list of cases due to the identification of false positive results. The lab is working to determine the cause of these false positives.

When Public Health evaluates the results of its tests, it considers the epidemiological links and case information to determine the likelihood for these to be positive. In certain rare situations, such as these, the results were not in keeping with patient information or the COVID-19 activity in the area, so the samples were retested. The two people involved will be informed.

The number of confirmed cases in New Brunswick is 1,767. Since yesterday, six people have recovered for a total of 1,592 recoveries. There have been 33 deaths, and the number of active cases is 141. Twenty patients are hospitalized, including 12 in an intensive care unit. Yesterday, 1,382 tests were conducted for a total of 273,193.

Exposure notifications

Public Health follows a standard process when addressing instances where the public may have been exposed to a case of COVID-19. In cases where record-keeping is able to identify anyone who may have been exposed, officials contact these individuals directly and do not issue a separate announcement. In cases where officials cannot be certain of exactly who may have been exposed to the virus in a given location, Public Health issues an announcement to alert those who could have been affected and provides instructions.

Public Health has identified potential public exposures to the virus at the following location:

• Subway at the Edmundston Regional Hospital, 275 Hébert Blvd. on Friday, April 9, between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Confirmed case at Garderie Mélubulles

A positive case of COVID-19 was confirmed at Garderie Mélubulles in Edmundston and the families have been notified. The child-care facility will be closed today as contact tracing is carried out. Public Health has advised staff, learners and their families to self-isolate until midnight on Sunday, April 18. If you or a family member have been in close contact with this case, you will be notified by Public Health for contact tracing. If you do not hear directly from Public Health, you have not been identified as a close contact.

Reminder of lockdown, Orange and Yellow levels

A section of Zone 4, including Edmundston and the upper Madawaska region, is in lockdown as per the province’s mandatory order. A detailed list of lockdown restrictions, including what can remain open and what must close, is available online.

The communities of Saint-Léonard, Grand Falls, Drummond, New Denmark and Four Falls are now in the Orange level.

All other zones and communities in the province, including the Saint-Quentin and Kedgwick regions in Zone 4, remain in the Yellow level.

No travel is permitted in and out of the lockdown area or within the lockdown area except when necessary, such as for vaccinations, medical appointments, work or to purchase essential goods. No travel is recommended in or out of areas in the Red or Orange levels. This recommendation includes no travel to sporting or entertainment events in other zones. Travel among Yellow level areas is permitted.

Media Contact(s)

Bruce Macfarlane, communications, Department of Health, bruce.macfarlane@gnb.ca.

NT4