N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Booster for seniors in long-term care homes, 1 more death

New Brunswick will offer a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose to seniors in long-term care homes and other communal settings who have already received two doses of a vaccine.

The rollout of the mRNA vaccine boosters will begin in early October, along with the flu vaccine campaign, said Dr. Jennifer Russell, the chief medical officer of health, said Wednesday.

The decision is based on new advice from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, she told the COVID briefing.

It comes as the province recorded another COVID-related death and 84 new cases. 

A person 90 or over in the Moncton region, Zone 1, has died as a result of COVID, said Russell.

This marks the ninth death reported in less than a week and brings the total number of deaths since the beginning of the pandemic to 57.

"These are not just numbers, they are people with lives and families who loved and were loved," said Russell. "They were our fellow New Brunswickers. Each of the 57 deaths we have seen has diminished our province," she said, offering condolences to the person's family and friends.

No information about their vaccination status or whether they lived a long-term care home has been released.

In its updated guidance released online Tuesday, NACI said residents of such sites, including retirement homes and assisted-living homes, "are at increased risk for COVID-19 infection because of their daily interactions with other residents and staff."

"They are also at increased risk for severe disease because of their age and underlying medical conditions."

The recommended interval for a booster dose of mRNA vaccine is at least four weeks after the second dose.

Seniors in long-term care homes were among the first to be vaccinated in New Brunswick.

Last week, the province announced it would begin offering third doses of mRNA vaccines to people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised because of a medical condition or treatment.

Forty people are hospitalized with the respiratory disease, including 16 in intensive care — the same numbers as Tuesday.

Of the 71 hospitalizations between Aug. 1 and Sept. 28, 11 or 15.5 per cent were fully vaccinated, four or 5.6 per cent were partially vaccinated and 56 or 78.9 per cent were unvaccinated, according to Public Health.

A total of 79.8 per cent of New Brunswickers aged 12 or older are now fully vaccinated, up from 79.5 per cent on Tuesday, while 88.7 per cent have received at least one dose, up from 88.4.

No new projections

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell says the province doesn't have any new COVID-19 projections, only what was shared at last Friday's briefing.

At that time, no provincial modelling on new cases or deaths were provided, but Mathieu Chalifoux, Public Health's lead COVID-19 epidemiologist, said between 35 and 40 more people are expected to be hospitalized "at any one time" within two weeks.

Russell revealed Wednesday that is a "medium-risk scenario" for hospitalizations. She did not provide the high-risk number.

"Other than that, we will continue to have discussions about where we're going and where the trends are happening."

It takes "several weeks" to see the impacts of Public Health measures that are put into place, "give or take," she said.

"So it's not clear at this time, again, how quickly things will start to trend downward, but we're hopeful and optimistic that that will be the case."

Russell did note that prior to the COVID variants of concern being at play and prior to vaccination rates being at the level they are, around 80 per cent of positive cases would not have very severe symptoms, 20 per cent of people would have symptoms, 15 per cent of those would require hospitalization, five per cent of those would require ICU admission, and about half of those ICU admissions "could result in death."

CBC News asked the Department of Health for its modelling projections earlier this week.

Spokesperson Bruce Macfarlane initially said, "We have no further modelling projections available at this time."

Pressed further about how the province is making decisions without any modelling, he replied, "Public Health presents modelling projections and other epidemiology information to government through a cabinet presentation. Documents presented to cabinet are considered confidential."

Testing capacity expanding

The Horizon and Vitalité health networks are expanding capacity at the COVID-19 assessment centres in Fredericton, Moncton and Saint John, and have hired additional staff to expedite processing, Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health, announced Wednesday.

She acknowledged ongoing delays due to a recent surge in demand and asked for people's continued patience.

Tests are being processed on a priority basis, with emphasis given to slowing down the spread of active outbreaks, she said.

Tests for travel or other non-urgent reasons will have longer waits.

The average turnaround time for testing across the province right now is five business days, unless a case is marked as high priority, in which case the average turnaround time is 24 to 48 hours, said Department of Health spokesperson Bruce Macfarlane.

That does not include the time needed to get an appointment.

The average wait to get a test varies by location, Macfarlane said in an emailed statement. "Some places are 24-48 hours and with the longest average wait 4-5 days."

He said he could not say the longest people are waiting from start to finish, or in which region, as Horizon and Vitalité handle testing.

But he did say the "optimal turnaround time for testing, from administering the test, to specimen collection, to processing and call back is three to five days."

School closures Thursday

Evergreen Park School students will be learning from home Thursday, after a positive case of COVID-19 was confirmed at the school, according to a notice sent to families early Wednesday evening.

Thursday will be an operational day to allow Public Health time to confirm those who have been identified as a close contact, the notice from Pamela Wilson, acting superintendent of the Anglophone East School District said.

"Public Health is asking that children not be sent to a daycare facility tomorrow while contact tracing is being completed," she wrote.

"We understand you may feel anxious over the coming days. Public Health will work with the school, and you will receive an email with a letter from the school if your child has been in close contact with the confirmed case and will tell you if your child needs to self-isolate.

"If you do not receive an email, your child should closely self-monitor for symptoms this week and get tested should any develop."

Hampton Elementary School students will also be learning from home Thursday, the Anglophone South School District posted on social media late Wednesday afternoon.

The school will have an operational day, the district said without stating clearly whether it's due to one or more positive cases of COVID-19 being confirmed.

Rapid testing coming to schools

New Brunswick is developing a COVID-19 testing policy for schools and the education system that would use rapid tests, says Premier Blaine Higgs.

"That'll be brought forward by the Department of Education in the coming days or week," he said during Wednesday's COVID briefing.

Since Sept. 7, 53 schools and 26 early learning and child-care facilities have had confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to Public Health.

The total number of cases has not been released, nor has the breakdown of students, teachers and staff, nor how many of the cases were transmitted student-to-student.

But they include several positive cases confirmed in schools and child-care facilities across five health zones Wednesday.

In the Moncton region, Zone 1, a new positive was confirmed at École Anna-Malenfant in Dieppe, which was previously impacted.

A positive case was also confirmed at Miracles At First Child Care Centre in Moncton.

In the Saint John region, Zone 2, a positive case was confirmed at Loch Lomond School in Saint John.

In the Fredericton region, Zone 3, a new positive case was confirmed at the following previously impacted schools: Carleton North High School in Florenceville-Bristol and Leo Hayes High School in Fredericton.

In the Edmundston region, Zone 4, a new positive case was confirmed at the following previously impacted schools: Polyvalente Thomas-Albert in Grand Falls and École Mgr. Lang in Drummond.

A new positive case was confirmed at Garderie centre éducatifs les petits pas, which was previously impacted.

In the Campbellton region, Zone 5, a new positive was confirmed at the following previously impacted schools: Lord Beaverbrook School and École Galion des Appalaches, both located in Campbellton.

A positive case was also confirmed at Garderie Dragon Day Care in Atholville.

People who have been in close contact with a positive case will be notified directly by Public Health or the school or facility for contact tracing, according to a news release.

Under New Brunswick's Healthy and Safe Schools guidelines, schools with cases will close or move to online learning for at least one calendar day to support contact tracing, risk assessments and operational responses.

Enforcement officers visit 2,691 businesses

Inspectors and peace officers with the Department of Justice and Public Safety and WorkSafeNB visited 2,691 businesses across the province in recent days to ensure compliance with recent COVID-19 measures and to educate owners, managers and staff, said Premier Blaine Higgs.

"I am happy to report that in this first week, 94 per cent of businesses were in full compliance.This is indeed very encouraging."

Under the reinstated state of emergency and mandatory order, certain businesses and events must have a vaccination or masking-and-testing workplace policy.

Under previous measures, proof of full vaccination is also required when accessing certain businesses, services and events.

Higgs said he knows it hasn't been easy for businesses and thanked those who have "stepped up" and adapted quickly.

Those that weren't in compliance will get a follow-up visit this week.

"If you own or manage a business that is not making an effort required to keep us all safe, there will be consequences," Higgs warned.

They will face fines starting at $480, plus surcharge.

For repeat and ongoing offenders, the fines can be as high as $20,400 per offence per day.

Human Rights Commission fielding COVID 'frustrations'

The New Brunswick Human Rights Commission has seen a "steady increase" in COVID-19 related inquiries and complaints from the public in recent weeks, especially in relation to the province's latest proof of vaccination and mandatory mask policies, says director Marc-Alain Mallet.

But many of them are looking to "vent their frustrations or objections related to the pandemic, and not to inquire about legitimate human rights issues."

This is "worrisome," he said, because it diverts commission resources from dedicated work on urgent human rights complaints.

"Also, it is especially regrettable that many callers have taken a disrespectful, even belligerent, attitude toward commission staff, even though employees are merely clarifying the scope of individual human rights and the commission's powers in relation to the government's COVID-19 regulations," Mallet said in a written statement.

In the past month, the commission has received 318 inquiries. Of those, 67 per cent were vaccine related, and in the past week this number jumped to 90 per cent.

Many people have "expressed concerns that the new COVID-19 measures violate their human rights and have sought the commission's intervention to protect them against these alleged or perceived violations," said Mallet.

But he stressed the commission only has the authority to look into an alleged violation if it is related to a protected ground under the New Brunswick Human Rights Act.

"Thus, if someone claims that it is their human right to be exempt from COVID-19 vaccinations, the claim must be based on the grounds of either physical disability, mental disability, or creed or religion."

If a physician has certified that a person should not be vaccinated because of their disability, and an employer or service provider refuses to accommodate their disability, for example, that person can seek redress through the commission.

"However, to claim exemption from vaccination under the ground of creed or religion, a person must demonstrate 1) that their vaccination choice is based on a specific religious or spiritual belief system and 2) that they sincerely follow that religious or spiritual belief," Mallet said.

"In this context, solely stating a 'personal belief,' 'personal objection' or 'personal conviction,' which is not based on a religious or spiritual belief, is not sufficient to be recognized as a religious right under the act as the ground of creed or religion is defined in human rights law."

No longer in green phase

New Brunswick is no longer under the green phase of COVID-19 recovery, according to Department of Health spokesperson Bruce Macfarlane.

"We are not in any [colour]," he said in an emailed statement, without elaborating.

The province has not announced a colour change. It reinstated the COVID-19 state of emergency and mandatory order last Friday, but made no mention of green being dropped.

On Wednesday morning, CBC News reported that the Horizon Health Network has quietly reverted to a "modified orange alert level."

During the COVID briefing Wednesday afternoon, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell mentioned for the first time that the province has "moved away from the green phase.

"We are now in a serious situation that calls for serious measures. That is why we have moved away from the green phase of relaxed restrictions and brought back the state of emergency and the more stringent measures that are necessary to limit the impact of the COVID-19 virus," she said.

Travel registrations to expire

People who obtained a temporary pass under the New Brunswick Travel Registration Program prior to the afternoon of Sept. 27 are encouraged to begin registering for a permanent multi-use pass, says the Department of Justice and Public Safety.

"Over the next short while, individual users will be contacted by email to advise them that their temporary pass is expiring," spokesperson Coreen Enos said in an emailed statement Wednesday.

Anyone entering the province must pre-register through the program, including New Brunswickers.

On Tuesday, the province announced the registration form, which was a PDF document that had to be emailed, had been replaced with a web-based form, and that people who received a temporary multi-use pass prior to Sept. 27, could now register for a permanent multi-use pass.

"Temporary passes remain valid at this time," said Enos. "An announcement will be made a week before all temporary passes expire."

People who are unvaccinated must register each time they enter New Brunswick.

Breakdown of new cases

Of the 84 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed Wednesday,  67 — or 80 per cent — are not fully vaccinated, Public Health said.

The latest cases push the province's total active case count to 657.

Here is the breakdown of the new cases:

Moncton region, Zone 1, 27 cases:

• 10 people 19 or under
• Two people 20-29
• Eight people 30-39
• Four people 40-49
• Three people 50-59

Nineteen of these cases are under investigation and eight are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Saint John region, Zone 2, nine cases:

• Four people 19 or under
• Two people 20-29
• A person 30-39
• A person 60-69
• A person 70-79

Five of these cases are under investigation and four are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Fredericton region, Zone 3, 24 cases:

• Eight people 19 or under
• Two people 20-29
• Two people 30-39
• Two people 40-49
• Five people 50-59
• Four people 60-69
• A person 70-79

Nineteen of these cases are under investigation and five are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Edmundston region, Zone 4, 15 cases:

• Five people 19 or under
• Two people 20-29
• Four people 30-39
• Two people 40-49
• Two people 50-59

Eight of these cases are under investigation and seven are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Campbellton region, Zone 5, four cases:

• Three people 19 or under
• A person 30-39

All four of these cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Bathurst region, Zone 6, four cases:

• Two people 20-29
• A person 30-39
• A person 50-59

Two of these cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases and two are under investigation.

Miramichi region, Zone 7, one case:

A person 50-59

This case is under investigation.

New Brunswick has had 4,088 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, with 3,373 recoveries so far.

A total of 461,958 tests have been conducted to date, including 2,927 on Tuesday.

Stress on health-care system high 

The interim president and CEO of Horizon Health says the stress and strain on health-care workers and the health-care system is at one of its highest levels of the pandemic.

Dr. John Dornan says before this wave, outbreaks tended to happen in one community at a time. Now, every regional hospital has COVID cases.

Of the province's 40 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, about 27 to 30 are within Horizon facilities, and seven or eight of those are in intensive care units.

Dornan said these are large numbers on top of all the patients with other health issues.

"It's one thing to have a calling to look after ICU patients and our staff are very expert at doing that. It's another thing when we have to glove, gown, mask, take special precautions, isolate patients more than we had in the past," he told CBC's Information Morning Fredericton.

"We can't look a patient in the face as we could in the past, and there's that connection that is now lost. Every time we move in and out of a room, we have to change our protective equipment, wash hands, wear masks and the like. So it's a harder task to look after COVID-positive patients."

As more hospital beds and intensive care units fill up with COVID-19 patients, elective surgeries may have to be reduced, said Dornan.

Visiting has not been completely banned at Horizon facilities, but is discouraged.

"We are asking people to keep our our last bastion safe, to stay home."

The risk of carrying the virus into a hospital, where people are already sick, is much higher than at other locations, such as restaurants, Dornan stressed.

"People do like to see loved ones in hospital, but we're asking if at all possible to forego that for the time being. Trust that we are giving the best care we can to your family and friends that are in our hospitals," he said.

Dornan urged people to communicate instead via the internet, telephone, or even through windows at times.

New public exposure notices

Public Health has identified new places where people may have been exposed to the coronavirus over the past two weeks.

Moncton region, Zone 1

• Sept. 25 between 11 a.m. and noon – YMCA (30 War Ave., Moncton)
• Sept. 20 between 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Club D'âge D'or de Dieppe (445 Acadie Ave., Dieppe)
• Sept. 19 between 6:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. – Kiwanis Park (80 Limerick St., Moncton)

Fredericton region, Zone 3

• Sept. 25 between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. – Scott's Independent Grocer (24 Columbus St., Perth-Andover)
• Sept. 24 between 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Walmart (430 Connell St., Woodstock)
• Sept. 23 between 2:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. – Walmart (430 Connell St., Woodstock)
• Sept. 20, 21, and 22 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. – Walmart (430 Connell St., Woodstock)
• Sept. 21 between 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – Walmart (430 Connell St., Woodstock)
• Sept. 18 between 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. – Walmart (430 Connell St., Woodstock)
• Sept. 18 between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Walmart (125 Two Nations Crossing, Fredericton)
• Sept. 18 between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Giant Tiger (598 Union St., Fredericton)
• Sept. 17 between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. – Walmart (430 Connell St., Woodstock)

Edmundston region, Zone 4

• Sept. 25 between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Canadian Tire (590 Victoria Rd., Edmundston)
• Sept. 23 between 7:15 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Marché Bonichoix - J.M. & C. Dugas Ltée (4 Saint-Camille Rd., Kedgwick)
• Sept. 20 between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – Green Diamond Equipment (67 Ouellette Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. – Le Grand Saut (155 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between noon and 5 p.m. – Animalerie R L Tropical (721 Victoria Rd., Edmundston)
• Sept. 18 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. – Animalerie R L Tropical (721 Victoria Rd., Edmundston)
• Sept. 17 between 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – Subway (423 Madawaska St., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 17 between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska St., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 17 between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska St., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 17 between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. – Boston Pizza (164 Hébert Blvd., Edmundston)

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

Public Health recommends that people who have been at a possible public exposure site and are not fully vaccinated get a COVID test, even if they don't have symptoms. They can book an appointment online or call Tele-Care 811.

If they do have symptoms, they must isolate while they await their results.

For people who are fully vaccinated, Public Health recommends they monitor for symptoms for 14 days after the possible exposure and get a COVID test if symptoms develop.

Anyone who frequented the locations 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.

Previous exposure notices

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

• Sept. 21 – Air Canada Flight 8942 – from Toronto to Moncton departed at 7:55 a.m.
• Sept. 19 – Air Canada Flight 8790 – from Montreal to Saint John departed at 7:56 p.m.
• Sept. 18 – Flair Airlines Flight 8137 – from Toronto to Saint John departed at 7:12 a.m.
• Sept, 16 – Air Canada Flight 8512 – from Montreal to Bathurst departed at 4:50 p.m.
• Sept.14 – Air Canada Flight 8502 – from Montreal to Fredericton departed at 1:25 p.m.

Public Health has also identified other places in the province where people may have been exposed to the virus over the past two weeks.

Moncton region, Zone 1

• ​Sept. 22, 23, 24, and 25 – Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham (2515 Mountain Rd., Moncton)
• Sept. 24 and 25 between 10:20 p.m. and 4:20 a.m. – Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre emergency room (330 Université Ave., Moncton)
• Sept. 23 between 9:30 a.m. and noon – White Cab Taxi (981 Main St., Moncton)
• Sept. 22 and 23 between 11 p.m. and 11:50 p.m. – Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre emergency room (330 Université Ave. 
• Sept. 20 and Sept. 24 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. – Route 16 Diner (4335 Route 16, Malden)
• Sept. 21 between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. – St. Louis Bar and Grill (500 Kennedy Rd., Dieppe) 
• Sept. 20 and Sept. 21 between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. – Moncton Hospital obstetrics unit (135 Macbeath Ave., Moncton)
• Sept. 19 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Rose's Your Independent Grocer (75 Main St., Sackville)
• Sept. 19 between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. – TH Sports Group, Sports Complex (184 Barker St., Moncton)
• Sept. 19 between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Tim Hortons (151 Horseman Rd., Moncton)
• Sept. 19 between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre radiology department (330 Université Ave, Moncton)
• Sept. 19 between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. – Tandoori Zaika (196 Robinson St., Moncton)
• Sept. 18 between 4 p.m. to midnight – Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre radiology department (330 Université Ave, Moncton)
• Sept. 18 between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Magnetic Hill Winery (860 Front Mountain Rd., Moncton)
• Sept. 18 between 11:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. – St. James' Gate (14 Church St., Moncton)
• Sept. 18 between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. – East Coast Amusements of New Brunswick (377 Killam Dr., Moncton)
• Sept. 17 between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Sephora (477 Paul St., Dieppe)
• Sept. 17 between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. – H&M (477 Paul St., Dieppe)
• Sept. 17 between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. – East Side Mario's (99 Trinity Dr., Moncton)
• Sept. 17 between 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. – Superior Propane Centre (Rink D) (55 Russ Howard Dr., Moncton)
• Sept. 17 between 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. – Moxies Grill and Bar (10 Wyse St., Moncton)
• Sept. 17 between 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Costco (140 Granite Dr., Moncton)
• Sept. 16 and 17 between 8 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Moncton Hospital emergency department (135 Macbeath Ave., Moncton)
• Sept. 16 between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Sephora (477 Paul St., Dieppe)
• Sept. 16 between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. – H&M (477 Paul St., Dieppe)
• Sept. 16 between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – Arbys (1029 Mountain Rd., Moncton)
• Sept. 13, 14, and 15 between 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. – Moncton Hospital post-anesthetic care unit (135 Macbeath Ave., Moncton)
• Sept. 13 between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.– Miss Cue (459 Mountain Rd., Moncton) 

Saint John region, Zone 2:

• Sept. 22 between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – Forever Healthy Allergy Elimination Centre (1040 Main St., Sussex)
• Sept. 21 between noon and 3 p.m. – The S. O. Mehan & Son Funeral Home (23 Main St., St. Stephen)
• Sept. 20 between 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Voting station (5 Rose St., St. Stephen)
• Sept. 20 between 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Holy Rosary Catholic Church (5 Rose St., St. Stephen)
• Sept. 18 between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (44 Lower Cove Rd., Sussex)
• Sept. 18 between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – Spuds N Things (677 Main St., Hampton)
• Sept. 18 between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – Hampton Your Independent Grocer (454 Main St. Unit 15, Hampton)
• Sept. 17 between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. – Gahan House Restaurant (87, Prince William St., Saint John)
• Sept. 17 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Taste and See (609 Main St., Sussex)
• Sept. 17 between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Royal King – Taste of India (165 Union St., Saint John)
• Sept. 15 between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. – Wendy's (158 Main St. W, Saint John)
• Sept. 15 between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – A&W (131 McAllister Dr., Saint John)
• Sept. 13 between 4:45 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. – Tim Hortons (131 King St., St. Stephen)

Fredericton region, Zone 3:

• Sept. 26 between 10 a.m. and noon – Truth Temple Inc (2930 Williamstown Rd., Centreville)
• Sept. 23 and 24 – Days Inn Hotel (60 Brayson Blvd., Oromocto)
• Sept. 23 – Corrective Health Services (435 Brookside Dr., Fredericton)
• Sept. 22 and 23 between 8 a.m. and noon – Gateway Dental Centre (22 Commerce Dr., Oromocto)
• Sept. 20 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – GoodLife Fitness (435 Brookside Dr., Fredericton)
• Sept. 19 between 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Subway (18 F. Tribe Rd. Unit 3, Perth-Andover)
• Sept. 18 between 2:30 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.– Atlantic Superstore (471 Smythe St., Fredericton)
• Sept. 18 between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Regent Mall (1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
• Sept. 18 between 10 a.m. and noon – Winners (9 Riocan Ave., Fredericton)
• Sept. 18 between 9 a.m. and noon – Boyce Farmers Market (665 George St., Fredericton)
• Sept. 18 between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. – Bluenotes (1150 Prospect St., Fredericton)
• Sept. 18 between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. – uKIDS (1150 Prospect St., Fredericton)
• Sept. 18 between 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. – Starbucks (1040 Prospect St., Fredericton)
• Sept. 18 between 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.- Sobeys (1180 Prospect St., Fredericton)
• Sept. 18 between 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.- Global Pet Foods (1055 Prospect St., Fredericton)
• Sept. 17 between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. – Worship and Prayer Barn (288 Sunpoke Rd., Rusagonis)
• Sept. 17 between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. – Regent Mall (1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
• Sept. 17 between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. – Days Inn (958 Propsect St., Fredericton)
• Sept. 17 between 9:15 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. – Jean Coutu (598 Union St., Fredericton)
• September 16 between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. – Vaccination clinic Perth Andover Baptist Church (194 Barrett St., Perth-Andover)
• Sept. 16 between noon and 2 p.m. – GoodLife Fitness (435 Brookside Dr., Fredericton)
• Sept. 16 between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. – Jean Coutu (598 Union St., Fredericton)
• Sept. 16 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. – Walmart (430 Connell Rd., Woodstock)
• Sept. 16 between 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. – Subway (18 F. Tribe Rd. Unit 3, Perth-Andover)
• Sept. 15 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Montana's (6 Trinity Dr., Fredericton)
• Sept. 15 between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – Montana's (6 Trinity Ave., Fredericton)
• Sept. 15 between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. – All Aboard Ultramar (318 Main St., Bath)
• Sept. 15 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. – GoodLife Fitness (435 Brookside Dr., Fredericton)
• Sept. 15 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. – Walmart (125 Two Nations Crossing, Fredericton)
• Sept. 15, 16, and 17– Scott's Your Independent Grocer (24 Columbus St., Perth-Andover)
• Sept. 14 between noon and 5:00 p.m. – Lewis Pharmacy (14 F. Tribe Rd. Unit 3, Perth-Andover)
• Sept. 14 and 15 between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Carl's Dairy Bar (1301 W. Riverside Dr., Perth-Andover)
• Sept. 14 between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. – GoodLife Fitness (435 Brookside Dr., Fredericton)
• Sept. 13, 14, and 15 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Full Body Fitness (800 St. Marys St., Fredericton)
• Sept. 13 between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. – Scott's Your Independent Grocer (24 Columbus St., Perth-Andover)
• Sept. 13 between noon and 6 p.m. – Scott's Your Independent Grocer (24 Columbus St., Perth-Andover)
• Sept. 13 between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Tim Hortons (22 F. Tribe Rd., Perth-Andover)
• Sept. 13 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. – Gorey Auto Repair (9799 Route 105, Beechwood)

Edmundston Region, Zone 4:

• Sept. 27 between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – UNI Financial Cooperative (51 Notre-Dame Rd., Kedgwick)
• Sept. 27 between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – Familiprix (116 Notre-Dame Rd., Kedgwick)
• Sept. 23 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Saint Quentin Cooperative (145 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 22 between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. – McDonald's (230 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 22 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (344 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 22 between 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. – Bonichoix (4 Camille St., Kedgwick)
• Sept. 21 between 4:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. – McDonald's (230 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 21 between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. – Vaccination clinc, E. P. Sénéchal Centre (60 Ouellet St., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 21 between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. – Vaccination clinic, E. P. Sénéchal Centre (60 Ouellette Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 20 between 1 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and Sept. 17 between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.– PhysioFirst Prof. Corp. (68 Ouellette St., Suite 100, Grand Falls)
• Sept. 20 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Hilltop (131 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 20 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 20 between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – Voting station Eglise St. Jacques (6 Ecole St., Edmundston)
• Sept. 20 between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Léopold Roy House (212 Canada St., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 20 between noon and 1 p.m. – Bonichoix (4 Camille St., Kedgwick)
• Sept. 20 between noon and 1 p.m. – Burger King (100 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls
• Sept. 20 between 4:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. – McDonald's (230 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 20 between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. – Pizza Delight (462 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 20 between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Bonichoix (4 Camille St., Kedgwick)
• Sept. 20 between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 20 between 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – Voting station Salle des Citoyens (4 St. Jean St., Kedgwick)
• Sept. 20 between 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. – Marché Bonichoix D. Poitras (746 Main St., Saint Leonard)
• Sept. 19 between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. – Tim Hortons (54 Canada St., Saint-Quentin)
• September 19 between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Pizza Delight (115 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• ept. 19 between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – Pizza Delight (462 Madawaska Road, Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – Toner Food Master (328 Tobique Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Dollarama (180 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Giant Tiger (200 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 10 a.m. and noon – Shoppers Drug Mart (180 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. – Giant Tiger (200 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. – Foodland (535 Everard H. Daigle Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 18 between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. – Tim Hortons (54 Canada St., Saint-Quentin)
• Sept. 18 between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Pizza Delight (462 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 18 between 5 p.m and 5:30 p.m. – Greco (77 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 18 between 4:30 p.m and 5:30 p.m. – Restaurant Le Patrimoine (115 Rivière à la Truite St., Edmundston)
• Sept. 18 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (344 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 18 between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – Les Brasseurs du Petit Sault (45 de l'Église Rd., Edmundston)
• Sept. 18 between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – Casino Grey Rock (100 Chief Joanna Blvd., Saint-Basile)
• Sept. 18 between 1:45 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. – Burger King (10 Mahsus Crt., Edmundston)
• Sept. 18 between 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Paradis des Bonbons (180 Hébert Blvd., Edmundston)
• Sept. 18 between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. – Hart (180 Hébert Blvd., Edmundston)
• Sept. 18 between 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (577 Victoria St., Edmundston)
• Sept. 18 between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 18 between 12:35 p.m. and 1:05 p.m. – Walmart (805 Victoria St., Edmundston)
• Sept. 18 between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – Subway (360 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 18 between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – Boston Pizza (164 Hébert Blvd., Edmundston)
• Sept. 18 between 11:30 a.m. and noon – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 18 between 9 a.m. and noon – Final Cuts (275 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 18 between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – Kent Building Supplies (88 Powers Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 18 between 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. – Alcool NB Liquor (240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 18 between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Marché Bonichoix – J.M. & C. Dugas (4 Saint Camille Rd., Kedgwick)
• Sept. 18 between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 17 between 7 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. – Jean-Daigle Centre (85 15-Aout Rd., Edmundston)
• Sept. 17 between 8:45 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (44 Canada Rd., Saint-Quentin)
• Sept. 17 between 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Pizza Delight (462 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 17 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Pizza Delight (115 Canada Rd., Saint-Quentin)
• Sept. 17 between 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – Pronature (15G Mowin St., Edmundston)
• Sept. 17 between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. – St. Sacrement Catholic Church (188 Canada Rd., Saint-Quentin)
• Sept. 17 between 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – Co Opérative de St-Quentin Ltée (145 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 17 between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Résidence Funéraire Valcourt (254 Canada Rd., Saint-Quentin)
• Sept. 17 between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.– Walmart (494 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 17 between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Plaso Dent (391 Front Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 16 and 17 between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. – Fleuriste Boutique Nicole (214 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 16 and Sept. 17 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.– Shoppers Drug Mart (180 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept.16 between 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Auberge Évasion de Rêves (11 Canada Rd., Saint-Quentin)
• Sept. 16 between 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Walmart (805 Victoria St., Edmundston)
• Sept. 16 between 12:35 p.m. and 1:05 p.m. – Esso (15 Notre Dame Rd., Kedgwick)
• Sept. 16 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.– Blues Printing (180A Portage St., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 15 between 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Co Opérative de St-Quentin Ltée (145 Canada Rd., Saint-Quentin)
• Sept. 15 between 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – Saint Quentin Co-Op (145 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 15 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – DocBraces (630 Everard H. Daigle Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 15 between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Walmart (805 Victoria St., Edmundston)
• Sept. 14 between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. – Home Hardware (145 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sep. 14 and 15 between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Big John Gym (11 St-Jean Baptiste Rd., Kedgwick)
• Sept. 14 between 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Resto Pub Sportif (132 Canada Rd., Saint-Quentin)
• Sept. 14 between 3:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. – Esso (15 Notre Dame Rd., Kedgwick)
• Sept. 14 between 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (44 Canada Rd., Saint-Quentin)
• Sept. 14 between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. – Pizza Delight (115 Canada Rd., Saint-Quentin)
• Sept. 14 between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – Pizza Delight (115 Canada Rd., Saint-Quentin)
• Sept. 14 between 12:45 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (344 Canada Rd., Saint-Quentin)
• Sept. 14 between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – Pizza Delight (115 Canada Rd., Saint-Quentin)
• Sept. 13 to 19 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. – O'Régal Restaurant (8014 Route 17, Kedgwick North)
• Between Sept. 13 and 17 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. – Université de Moncton - Edmundston Campus (165 Hébert Blvd., Edmundston)
• Sept. 13, 14, and 15 between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Dépanneur McCormick (178 Monseigneur Martin E Rd., Saint-Quentin)
• Between Sept. 9 and 17 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. – OK Tire (5 Mgr Martin Ouest Rd., Saint-Quentin)
• Sept. 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)

Campbellton region, Zone 5:

• Sept. 22, 25, and 26 – Pseudio Boutique (312 Val D'Amour Rd., Campbellton)
• Sept. 22 between 11:05 a.m. and noon – Vaccine clinic, Campbellton Regional Hospital (189 Lily Lake Rd., Campbellton)
• Sept. 21 between 6 p.m. and midnight – Dooly's (81 E Roseberry St., Campbellton)
• Sept. 22 between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. – Dooly's (81 E Roseberry St., Campbellton)
• Sept. 18 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Country Kitchen (14154 Route 17, Glen Levit)
• Sept. 17 between 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Canadian Tire (384 Val-d'Amour Rd., Atholville)
• Sept. 17 between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Salon du Centre (157 Water St., Campbellton)
• Sept. 17 between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. – CCNB-Campbellton Campus (47 Village Ave., Campbellton)
• Sept. 16 between 8:30 a.m. and noon – CCNB-Campbellton Campus (47 Village Ave., Campbellton)
• Sept. 14 and 15 – Nailz by Tania (162 Water St., Campbellton)

Bathurst region, Zone 6:

• Sept. 20, 21, and 22 – Comfort Inn (1170 St. Peter Ave., Bathurst)
• Sept. 21 between 6 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. – Canadian Tire Gas Plus (510 St. Peter Ave., Bathurst)
• Sept. 21 between 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. – UNI Financial Cooperation (1215 St. Peter Ave., Bathurst)
• Sept. 20 between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. – Canadian Tire Gas Plus (510 St. Peter Ave., Bathurst)
• Sept. 19 between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. – Canadian Tire Gas Plus (510 St. Peter Ave., Bathurst)
• Sept. 19 between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. – Canadian Tire Gas Plus (510 St. Peter Ave., Bathurst)
• Sept. 18 between 5:45 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. – House of Lee (315 Main St., Bathurst)
• Sept. 18 between 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Alcool NB Liquor (1125 St. Peter Ave., Bathurst)
• Sept. 18 between 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Sobeys (1125 St. Peter Ave., Bathurst)
• Sept. 17 between 6 p.m. and 18 p.m. – Joey's Pub (2050 St. Peter Ave., Bathurst)
• Sept. 17 between 10:30 a.m. and noon – Atlantic Host (1450 Vanier Blvd., Bathurst)
• Sept. 16 between 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. – Dollarama (930 St. Anne St., Bathurst)
• Sept. 16 between 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. – Dollarama (520 St. Peter Ave., Bathurst)
• Sept. 16 between 7:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. – Canadian Tire (520 St. Peter Ave., Bathurst)
• Sept. 16 between 7:15 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. – Kent Building Supplies (950 St. Anne St., Bathurst)
• Sept. 14 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. – CCNB-Bathurst Campus (75 Youghall Dr., Bathurst)
• Sept. 13 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. – CCNB-Bathurst Campus (75 Youghall Dr., Bathurst)

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.