New Brunswick reported 160 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday as the number of active cases in the province climbed to a record high.
Provincial officials also announced 11 more lab-confirmed cases of the new Omicron variant, bringing the total number of cases to 14.
With 70 more recoveries reported, there are now 1,141 active cases of COVID-19. Before today, the highest number of active cases was 1,103 on Oct. 13.
Health Minister Dorothy Shephard said the majority of the new cases continue to be in southern New Brunswick and the Miramichi health region.
There are 59 new cases in the Saint John region, 46 in the Fredericton zone, 29 in the Miramichi area, 15 in the Moncton region, four each in the Edmundston and Campbellton zones, and three in the Bathurst area.
The Fredericton region continues to have the most active cases at 497, followed by 234 in the Saint John zone, 187 in the Moncton area, 128 in the Miramichi region, 51 in the Edmundston zone, 23 in the Bathurst area, and 21 in the Campbellton region.
The rate of new cases is 14.5 per 100,000 for the fully vaccinated, 16.5 per 100,000 for the partially vaccinated, and 54.2 per 100,000 for the unvaccinated.
Of those currently in hospital, the rate is 2.6 per 100,000 for the fully vaccinated, 8.2 per 100,000 for the partially vaccinated, and 19.2 per 100,000 for the unvaccinated.
Among those in the ICU, the rates are 0.5 per 100,000 for the fully vaccinated, 0 per 100,000 for the partially vaccinated, and 9.6 per 100,000 for the unvaccinated.
“The arrival of the Omicron variant means we will see a continued rise in infections in the weeks ahead due to it being more contagious, so it is crucial everyone follow the public health measures in place,” said Shephard.
“This has always been a balancing act and continues to be just that. We need to buy some time and slow the spread while children get vaccinated and boosters roll out to everyone.”
Public Health said 82.4 per cent of the eligible population is now fully vaccinated and 88.9 per cent have received at least one dose. Nearly one-third of kids aged five to 11 have received their first dose.
Shephard said the healthcare system is “managing” but that an increasing level of infections brings a rise in severe illness due to the virus. There are currently 42 people in hospital with COVID-19 across the province, including 14 who are in intensive care.
Children and teens are now among the largest group of new daily infections being seen in New Brunswick, she said, adding it has been a challenge to slow the spread of the virus in this age group.
Shephard said while COVID appears to be less severe in children, then can and do become seriously ill and require treatment. Even with mild symptoms, she said they can pass the virus on to others whose immune systems may not be as strong.
The province will be doing a “holiday testing blitz” for all school children across the province. Every child will be sent home with point-of-care testing kits to use at home over the holidays.
“These tests will help us quickly identify new infections and slow the spread,” said Shephard.
New measures for schools, early learning and childcare facilities
Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Dominic Cardy announced new measures Wednesday which will take effect in schools and early learning and childcare facilities.
The measures, which can be found on the department’s website, outline different directives for each age group and for each level of the province’s Winter Action Plan.
“We’re going to continue to provide in-person learning for all ages through any Public Health alert level, although at Level 3, exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with Public Health,” said Cardy.
Among the measures under Level 1 for schools:
- whenever a case is confirmed at a school, rapid testing will be expanded to include all students in kindergarten to Grade 8 and non-vaccinated high school students;
- class groupings will be used for students in kindergarten to Grade 8;
- masks will be required indoors;
- masks will be required outdoors, with exceptions for K-8 students who are within their grouping;
- there will be limited singing and limited use of wind instruments; and
- visitors will be limited.
For early learning and after-school child-care facilities, Level 1 measures include:
- children will be in groups of no more than 20;
- children aged two and under will not be required to wear masks;
- children aged three to five will be required to wear masks when not in their group;
- children five and older and staff will be required to wear masks unless eating or drinking;
- visitors will be limited; and
- there will be limited singing and limited use of wind instruments.
The plans for early learning and child care will come into effect on Dec. 20 and the plans for schools will come into effect when school resumes on Jan. 10.
“We know that we are going to continue to see cases in schools and in early learning facilities. This is about managing risks and adding layers of protection whenever possible,” said Cardy.
“Dealing with COVID is ultimately making difficult choices, and often choices where neither are ideal, but simply choosing the least worst outcome.”
The plans are in addition to interim measures announced on Monday, which include a ban on organized sport and all other organized activities for children under 12.
For those 12 and older, practices and skills drills are allowed involving only a single team at a time, under an operational plan that includes a “reasonable effort” to ensure distancing and sanitization.
Students in kindergarten through Grade 6 will begin their holiday break on Friday, Dec.17, at the end of the regular school day. The last day of classes for students in Grades 7 and 8 will be Tuesday, Dec. 21, while students in Grades 9 to 12 will have a noon dismissal on Thursday, Dec. 23.
