N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Metepenagiag Mi'kmaq Nation reports first COVID-19 case

Metepenagiag Mi'kmaq Nation reported its first confirmed case of COVID-19 Saturday.

In a news release, Chief Bill Ward said that he and band council were notified of the case and that Public Health is conducting contact tracing.

Ward said that anyone who was a close contact of the case will be contacted by Public Health.

In the meantime, the administration office, health centre and all facilities in Metepenagiag will be closed until Sept. 13.

Metepenagiag school was supposed to start Sept. 7. It is also being pushed back until Sept. 13.

"All businesses operating within Metepenagiag will be required to enforce the wearing of masks, sanitization and contact tracing until further notice," Ward said in the release.

Ward said the community will be updated when more information becomes available.

New possible exposures

The province of New Brunswick does not update COVID-19 case numbers on the weekends.

Anyone who was at an exposure site at the specified dates and times should also avoid visiting settings with vulnerable populations such as nursing homes, correctional facilities, and shelters for the next 14 days.

Public Health has identified a positive case of COVID-19 in a person who may have been infectious while on the following flight:

• Sept. 1 – Air Canada Flight 7548 – from Toronto to Fredericton departed at 8:55 p.m.

Public Health has identified new places in New Brunswick where people may have been exposed to the coronavirus:

Moncton region, Zone 1:

•  Aug. 31 between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Service N.B. Dieppe (200-258 Champlain St, Dieppe)
• Aug. 31 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. – 24/7 Fitness Club (121 Pine Glen Rd., Riverview)
• Aug. 31 between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. – Wise Guyz Pub (176 Robinson St., Moncton)
• Aug. 30 between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Oceanside Fitness (184 Main St., Shediac)
• Aug. 29 between 10:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. – The Furnace Room (191 Robinson St., Moncton)

Fredericton region, Zone 3:

•  Aug. 30 & 31– Amsterdam Inn & Suites (383 Centerville Rd., Florenceville)

Edmundston region, Zone 4:

• Sept. 1 between 8 a.m. and noon – Shoppers Drug Mart (344 Canada Road, Unit B, Saint Quentin)
• Aug. 31 between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. –Shoppers Drug Mart (344 Canada Road, Unit B, Saint Quentin)
• Aug. 30 between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. – BMR (Labrie Road, Saint Quentin)
• Aug. 30 to September 1 between 8 a.m. and noon – Bonichoix (145 Canada Road, Saint Quentin)
• Aug. 30 between 8 a.m. and noon – Shoppers Drug Mart (344 Canada Road, Unit B, Saint Quentin)
• Aug. 27 between 11 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. – Physiothérapie Nord-Ouest (296 Victoria Rd., Edmundston)

Public Health recommends that people who have been at a possible public exposure site and are not fully vaccinated get a COVID test, said Department of Health spokesperson Gail Harding. They can book an appointment online or call Tele-Care 811.

For people who are fully vaccinated, Public Health recommends they monitor for symptoms and get a COVID test if symptoms develop.

The full list of possible exposures is updated regularly and is available on the government's website.

A list of previous exposures can be found here.

What to do if you have a symptom

People concerned they might have COVID-19 can take 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.