New Brunswick could possibly have its first community transmission case of COVID-19.
The number of provincial cases now totals 45 with 12 new confirmed cases on Friday.
In addition, one of the individuals previously confirmed as a case of COVID-19, has now recovered.
The new cases are:
- An individual aged 60-69, in Zone 1 (southeast)
- An individual aged 70-79, in Zone 1 (southeast)
- An individual aged 70-79, in Zone 1 (southeast)
- An individual aged 30-39, in Zone 1 (southeast)
- An individual aged 20-29, in Zone 2 (south)
- An individual aged 30-39, in Zone 3 (central)
- An individual aged up to 9, in Zone 3 (central)
- An individual aged up to 9, in Zone 3 (central)
- An individual aged 20-29, in Zone 4 (northwest)
- An individual aged 30-39, in Zone 4 (northwest)
- An individual aged 20-29, in Zone 4 (northwest)
- An individual aged 20-29, in Zone 5 (north central)
Chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell says the jump is not surprising.
“The return of large numbers of travellers to the province who are aware that they are potential carriers of this virus has created the conditions for this increase in cases.”
Dr. Russell says the possible community transmission case is under investigation.
She adds this would be a case where there are no direct links to existing travel-related cases.
Public Health has identified one confirmed COVID-19 case on each of two flights that came into New Brunswick:
- Air Canada Flight #8900 from Montreal to Moncton on March 16
- Sunwing Flight #169 from Punta Cana to Fredericton on March 18
All passengers on those flights should already be self-isolating for at least 14 days.
Dr. Russell announced on Friday that changes will be made to the testing protocols.
“We are expanding testing to cover our health-care workers, those who have not travelled but have developed a new cough, fever or shortness of breath,” said Russell.
“All workers in our health-care sector who have developed COVID-19 symptoms are directed to immediately self-isolate and call 811. This includes employees of regional health authorities, long-term care facilities, the Extra-Mural Hospital, Ambulance New Brunswick, community physicians and pharmacists.”
