N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Record 5 deaths, Higgs sees approval rating drop to record low 38%

Five more New Brunswickers have died from COVID-19, Public Health announced Wednesday, a single-day record high that pushes the death toll to 80.

Eighty-two more people have become infected, but 95 have recovered, which puts the active case count at 1,074.

There are now 68 people hospitalized because of the virus, an increase of five from Tuesday, with 27 still in an intensive care unit. No one under the age of 19 is hospitalized.

A person in their 60s in the Saint John region, Zone 2, a person in their 50s and a person in their 80s in the Fredericton region, Zone 3, a person in their 80s in the Campbellton region, Zone 5, and a person in their 80s in the Bathurst region, Zone 6, have died "as a result of COVID-19," according to a news release.

Premier Blaine Higgs called the loss of lives "heartbreaking."

"We continue to see a high number of cases in the areas where our circuit breaker restrictions are in place," he said in a statement. "If you are in these areas, please follow all of the rules to help reduce the spread of COVID-19."

A 14-day circuit breaker went into effect Friday at 6 p.m. in Zone 1 (Moncton region) as far north as and including Sainte-Anne-de-Kent and including Havelock in Zone 2 (Saint John region); the northern portion of Zone 3 from and including Deerville and Florenceville-Bristol; and all of Zone 4 (Edmundston region), including Menneval, Whites Brook and St-Jean-Baptiste in Zone 5 (Campbellton region).

People who live in these areas must not have gatherings at private homes inside or outside with anyone who does not live at that home, with a few exceptions.

Travel to or from circuit breaker regions is restricted, except for those who must travel for essential reasons, including work, health services, child custody, childcare or post-secondary education, or travel to events where proof of vaccination is required, the province's circuit breaker website states.

Half of new cases fully vaccinated

The total of New Brunswickers age 12 and older who are fully vaccinated remained unchanged Wednesday at 81.6 per cent, while those who have received their first dose increased by 0.1 per cent to 90.9.

Of the 82 new cases confirmed, 36 people or 44 per cent, are unvaccinated, five people, or six per cent, are partially vaccinated, and 41, or 50 per cent, are fully vaccinated.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell reiterated that as a higher percentage of the population gets vaccinated, and as the virus moves across the province, more cases are expected in vaccinated people.

"However, as a whole, there will be fewer cases among the vaccinated population in comparison to those that are unvaccinated, with fewer vaccinated people getting hospitalized and seriously ill compared to those who catch COVID-19 and are unvaccinated."

Of those in hospital, 44 are unvaccinated, four are partially vaccinated and 20 are fully vaccinated. Of the 27 in an intensive care unit, 21 people are unvaccinated, three are partially vaccinated and three are fully vaccinated.

The province's goal is to get at least 90 per cent of the total population — not just eligible population — double-dosed now that the highly transmissible delta variant is the dominant strain driving the fourth wave.

According to CBC's vaccine tracker, 72 per cent of New Brunswick's total population is fully vaccinated, and 80.2 per cent have received one dose.

Eligible New Brunswickers who are not yet fully vaccinated are asked to go to a walk-in clinic or to book an appointment online through a participating pharmacy or at a Vitalité or Horizon health network clinic as soon as possible.

They should bring their Medicare card, a signed consent form and, for those receiving their second dose, a copy of the record of immunization provided after receiving their first dose.

People can get their second-dose 28 days after their first.

A list of upcoming mobile and walk-in clinics is available online.

'Dramatic slide' in popularity for Higgs since June

Premier Blaine Higgs's approval rating has dropped to an all-time low amid record high COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths that followed all Public Health restrictions being lifted and the province being opened up, a new poll suggests.

The Angus Reid Institute poll ranking the popularity of the provincial premiers shows Higgs has suffered a "precipitous" drop to 38 per cent, from 55 per cent in June.

Fifty-eight per cent of respondents said they disapprove of his job performance, up from 37 per cent four months ago.

This "is mirrored by the soaring number of COVID-19 cases across the province," Angus Reid said in a statement Wednesday, when the poll was released.

"With over 1,000 active cases reported in the province, hospitals have announced that they're postponing some non-urgent procedures and moving their internal readiness level to 'red alert.' "

The institute noted New Brunswick was the first province to pop out of the Atlantic bubble, "opening itself up to the rest of Canada before its neighbours in June."

In May, Higgs's support stood at 80 per cent.

On July 30 at 11:59 p.m., the province moved to the green phase of COVID-19 recovery and removed the mandatory order before reaching its goal to have 75 per cent of the eligible population fully vaccinated, when only 66.7 per cent were double-dosed.

Canada's top doctor had warned the day before that the country could be seeing the start of a variant-driven fourth wave. 

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said the seriousness of the pandemic's resurgence would depend largely on vaccination coverage.

"This forecast reaffirms the need to take a cautious approach to relaxing public health measures, to remain vigilant and responsive to signs of resurgence, and to continue to increase first and second dose vaccination coverage," she had said.

New Brunswick reinstated the state of emergency on Sept. 24 and reimposed restrictions, including requiring people to limit their contacts to their household plus 20 consistent contacts, or "steady 20."

The online poll was conducted between Sept. 29 and Oct. 3.

Higgs has repeatedly said the decision to lift all public health restrictions on July 30 was the right decision based on the health data officials had at the time.

"Looking at where we were as a province at the time, I would have made the same decision then that I did," he said on Sept. 24.

The poll was done before Higgs announced that all New Brunswickers were required to limit their private Thanksgiving gatherings to their single household, with a few exceptions.

New Brunswick had 657 active cases of COVID-19 on the first day of the polling and 759 on the last day.

Since June, all but one premier who was in power at the time has seen their respective levels of approval decline, the poll indicates. Ontario Premier Doug Ford is the lone exception, "with a statistically insignificant one-point increase on job performance from Ontarians, the institute said.

"The most sobering assessments from their constituencies are for Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and New Brunswick's Blaine Higgs, both of whom have seen their approval crash nearly 20 points in the last quarter, from 61 and 55 per cent then to 43 and 38 per cent now respectively."

Alberta's Jason Kenney is currently the least-approved-of premier among his own constituents at 22 per cent, according to the poll. 

"Conversations about Kenney's long-term political future have been ongoing for some time, and with this wave of data, are unlikely to abate," the institute said.

The poll was conducted among a "representative randomized sample" of 5,011 Canadian adults who are members of Angus Reid Forum, who either earn points redeemable for online gift cards or get entered into sweepstakes draws with chances to win gift cards from a variety of Canadian retailers, according to the institute's website.

A probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points, 19 times out of 20, the institute said.

A total of 265 New Brunswickers were polled. The margin of error for the New Brunswick sample is plus or minus six percentage points 19 times out of 20, meaning the drop for Higgs is larger than any polling error.

P.E.I. and the territories are not included in the poll, which was self-commissioned and paid for by the Angus Reid Institute.

Outbreaks hit 2 more Moncton Hospital units

The Moncton Hospital has COVID-19 outbreaks on two more units — oncology and orthopedics.

The units, 4200 and 5600, are closed to admissions and transfers until further notice, executive director Christa Wheeler-Thorne said in an emailed statement Wednesday.

"During this time, no patients will be admitted or transferred, and patients are restricted to their rooms."

Staff are following enhanced infection prevention and control guidelines, and foot traffic is limited to essential services, such as food services, said Wheeler-Thorne. The designated support person program has also been suspended.

Public Health has begun its contact tracing process and will notify anyone who is a close contact and needs to be tested for COVID-19, she said.  Affected patients and staff are also being notified and will receive swabs.

For an outbreak to be declared over, two full viral cycles — or 28 days — without any new cases are required. 

On Sept. 27, the hospital declared an outbreak on the geriatric unit. The most recent case on that unit, 5200, was recorded on Oct. 1, said Wheeler-Thorne.

The outbreaks are believed to be unrelated, as there is no evidence of spread, she told CBC News.

Wheeler-Thorne did not respond to questions about the number of cases and whether they involve patients or staff.

"We are currently able to safely staff these units," she added.

The Horizon Health Network did not issue a news release or public service announcement about the latest outbreaks on its website or through social media Wednesday, as of 5 p.m.

228 health-care workers off due to exposures

Health Minister Dorothy Shephard says she hopes a two-week stretch of "red alert" protocols at hospitals in the province will be enough to help ease some of the strain, as COVID-19 hospitalizations and ICU admissions continue to rise.

She says the system has a lot to deal with, including the absence of 228 health-care workers who are off due to COVID-19 exposures.

"That creates huge, huge challenges on top of a weary workforce who have really stepped up and been a part of this battle for the last 18 months," she told CBC's Shift on Wednesday.

She did not say how many of the workers are infected with the virus or how many have been identified as contacts of a confirmed case.

All Horizon Health Network hospitals and health-care centres moved to the COVID-19 "red alert" level Wednesday, while all Vitalité Health Network hospitals moved to the red alert level Tuesday.

Under a red alert designation, hospitals are able to postpone elective surgeries and non-urgent medical procedures and outpatient appointments, such as X-rays, scans and tests.

This allows the hospitals to redeploy staff to maintain emergency services and intensive care units to care for COVID-19 patients and others who are critically ill.

The province is working with the New Brunswick Medical Society to develop a new model for health care, which Shephard says could be announced within the next two to three weeks.

"It's my impression that we're going to be able to have ratification very soon and that we'll be able to expand a model into our province that I believe will not only be transformational to the delivery of health-care services in this province, but it's going to be the beginning foundation for alleviating other services in this province," she said.

Last April, Shephard said her goal was for every New Brunswick resident to have a family doctor or nurse practitioner within six months but there are still more than 40,000 people on the wait list.

During the red alert, Horizon patients and clients are asked to attend their appointments, as scheduled, unless they are contacted directly by Horizon or their health-care provider to reschedule.

Both Horizon and Vitalité have also suspended all hospital visits in response to the surge in COVID cases.

Ambulance New Brunswick is also moving to the red alert level to help maintain essential services and ensure services are redeployed as needed, Shephard announced Tuesday.

Breakdown of new cases

The 82 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed Wednesday are spread across all seven of the health zones. Here is the breakdown:

Moncton region, Zone 1, 32 cases:

• Six people 19 or under
• A person 20-29
• Three people 30-39
• Three people 40-49
• Two people 60-69
• Five people 70-79
• Six people 80-89
• Six people 90 or over

Twenty-nine of these cases are under investigation and three are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Saint John region, Zone 2, five cases:

• A person 19 or under
• Two people 20-29
• A person 50-59
• A person 60-69

Four of these cases are under investigation and the other is a contact of a previously confirmed case.

Fredericton region,  Zone 3, 12 cases:

• Nine people 19 or under
• A person 30-39
• A person 50-59
• A person 70-79

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

Edmundston region, Zone 4, nine cases:

• Five people 19 or under
• Two people 30-39
• A person 50-59
• A person 80-89

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

Campbellton region, Zone 5, 18 cases:

• Six people 19 or under
• Two people 20-29
• Two people 40-49
• Three people 50-59
• A person 60-69
• Three people 70-79
• A person 80-89

Nine of these cases are under investigation and nine are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Bathurst region, Zone 6, four cases:

• Two people 19 or under
• A person 20-29
• A person 40-49

Three of these cases are under investigation and one is a contact of a previously confirmed case.

Miramichi region, Zone 7, two cases:

• A person 30-39
• A person 50-59

One of these cases is a contact of a previously confirmed case and the other is under investigation.

New Brunswick has had 5,449 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, with 4,294 recoveries so far.

A total of 496,624 tests have been conducted to date, including 2,993 on Tuesday.

Minister dismisses call for investigation of nursing home outbreak

New Brunswick's Social Development minister is dismissing calls for an independent investigation into the COVID-19 outbreak at the Drew Nursing Home in Sackville.

Thirty residents and 10 employees at the 118-bed facility have tested positive so far and eight residents have died.

Bruce Fitch says an investigation would be a wasteful exercise in finger-pointing.

"I think when you look at the amount of resources that have been put towards the various outbreaks, again, that is an appropriate response," he said Wednesday.

"Sometimes the outcomes are very, very positive. And sometimes, unfortunately with this delta [variant] … people were asymptomatic and they had COVID and they were going to work and it was being passed around."

Megan Mitton, the MLA for Memramcook-Tantramar and the Green Party's health critic, called for a probe of the Drew outbreak Tuesday and for the government to be more transparent about outbreaks at other facilities.

She contends questions should be answered publicly about whether the response was adequate and whether nursing home COVID protocols, such as containment measures, should be strengthened to better deal with the highly transmissible delta variant.

Case counts at the Drew Nursing Home have continued to climb since Sept. 14, when the home announced it was closed to visitors after a staff member had tested positive.

Fitch argues it's easy to criticize after the fact and say the government should have done something different.

"Again, I go to the fact that this variant was a variant that was stronger, spread faster, created more spread if you weren't vaccinated."

The support team at the Drew Nursing Home has included staff from Social Development and Public Health, other nursing homes, retired nurses, infection control specialists and the Red Cross, he said.

A total of 16 rapid response teams are currently deployed across the province to help manage outbreaks, Fitch said.

"And you know, I think if someone was looking to help, they should be trying to support facilities like the nursing homes in their areas, and trying to promote the vaccination and trying to make sure that people protect themselves, their families and the people that they work with."

On Tuesday, in response to Mitton, Health Minister Dorothy Shephard said the government evaluates every outbreak and has been "very transparent."

"If they can't get answers to their questions, we could take it under advisement. But I'm not sure of any questions that they would ask that we wouldn't answer," she said.

U.S. to reopen border to fully vaccinated Canadians next month

Fully vaccinated New Brunswickers will soon be able to drive or take a ferry across the border to the United States again.

The Department of Homeland Security announced late Tuesday a plan to allow fully vaccinated Canadians to enter the U.S. at land and ferry border crossings for non-essential reasons starting in early November.

"Cross-border travel creates significant economic activity in our border communities and benefits our broader economy," Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a news release.

"We are pleased to be taking steps to resume regular travel in a safe and sustainable manner."

The borders have been closed for non-essential travel since the early days of the pandemic in March 2020.

An exact date for the reopening has not yet been determined, according to senior administration officials who briefed reporters earlier about the plan during a conference call.

They said a number of details are still being worked out, including the type of documentation that will be accepted to prove a traveller's vaccination status.

When the updated rules go into effect, the U.S. will also ease other travel restrictions for fully vaccinated travellers arriving by air, officials said.

Canada reopened its air, land and sea borders to fully vaccinated Americans on Aug. 7.

New cases at schools, daycares in 4 zones

New cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at schools and daycares in four health zones, Public Health announced Wednesday.

In the Moncton region, Zone 1, a case was confirmed at École le Sommet in Moncton.

"A new case or cases" have been confirmed in the following previously impacted schools: Beaverbrook School, École Champlain, Birchmount School and Harrison Trimble High School, all in Moncton.

A case was also confirmed at JD Tae Kwon Do in Moncton.

In the Edmundston region, Zone 4, a case was confirmed at Cité des Jeunes A.-M.-Sormany in Edmundston.

A new case was confirmed at École Régionale Saint-André.

In the Campbellton region, Zone 5, a case has been confirmed at L.E. Reinsborough School in Dalhousie.

In the Bathurst region, Zone 6, a new case has been confirmed at École Le Tremplin in Tracadie.

People who have been in close contact with a confirmed 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.

Since Sept. 7, 98 schools and 47 early learning and child-care facilities have had confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The number of cases at each school and whether they involve students, teachers or staff have not been released.

Atlantic COVID roundup

Nova Scotia confirmed 24 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the active caseload to 187. There are 16 people in hospital with the virus, including two in intensive care.

Newfoundland and Labrador announced four new cases of COVID-19 and has 62 active cases. Ten people are hospitalized, two of whom require intensive care.

Prince Edward Island reported three new cases Monday, and has six active cases.

New public exposure notices

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

• Oct, 8 – Air Canada Flight 8790 – from Montreal to Saint John departed at 7:47 p.m.

The following are other new public exposures released by Public Health on Wednesday:

Moncton region, Zone 1

• Oct. 7 between 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. – Pseudio (477 Paul St., Dieppe)
• Between Oct. 6 and 7 between 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 a.m. – Wingate by Wyndham (69 Marché Rd., Dieppe)
• Oct. 6 between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. – The Old Triangle Irish Alehouse (751 Main St., Moncton)
• Oct. 6 between 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Pseudio (477 Paul St., Dieppe)
• Sept. 19 between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Maple Leaf Queen's Buffet (939 Mountain Rd., Moncton)
• Sept. 19 between 11 a.m. and noon – Saint Augustine Catholic Church (340 Dominion St., Moncton)

Saint John region, Zone 2

• Oct. 9 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – The Barrel's Head Gastropub (141 Hampton Rd., Rothesay)
• Oct. 8 between 5:45 p.m. and 8 p.m. – East Side Mario's (75 Consumers Dr., Saint John)
• Oct. 8 between noon and 2:30 p.m. – Canadian Tire (250 King St., St. Stephen)
• Oct. 8 between 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (195 King St., St. Stephen)
• Oct. 7 between noon and 2 p.m. – Vogue Optical (20 Plaza Ave., Saint John)
• Oct. 6 between 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Vogue Optical (20 Plaza Ave., Saint John)
• Oct. 2 between 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. – Woodchucks Axe Throwing (125 Prince William St., Saint John)
• Oct. 2 between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. – Churchill's Pub and Steakhouse (8 Grannan St., Saint John)

Fredericton region, Zone 3

• Oct. 10 between noon and 5 p.m. – Pseudio (1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
• Oct. 9 between 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. – Pseudio (1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
• Oct. 8 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Pseudio (1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
• Oct. 5 between noon and 8 p.m. – Pseudio (1381 Regent St., Fredericton)

Edmundston region, Zone 4

• Oct. 9 between 11 p.m. and midnight – Bar Chez Wilma (500 Mgr Numa Pichette Blvd., Edmundston)
• Oct. 9 between 10:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. – Café Retro Bar (69 Canada Rd., Edmundston)
• Oct. 7 between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Familiprix – Kevin Smyth (138 Main St., Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska)
• Oct. 7 between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. – Provincial Court – Carrefour Assomption (121 de l'Église Rd., Edmundston)
• Oct. 5 and 7 between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. – Cyr Roy Machine Shop and Dépanneur (111 Martin Rd., Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska)
• Oct. 6 between 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Walmart (805 Victoria St., Edmundston)
• Oct. 6 between 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Dollarama (15 Mowin St., Madawaska Maliseet First Nation)
• Oct. 5 between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Greco Pizza (10 Mahsus Crt., Edmundston)

Bathurst region, Zone 6

• Oct. 8 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Sobeys (1125 St. Peter Ave., Bathurst)

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

The following are exposure notices from the past two few weeks. For the full list beyond this time period, please visit the Government of New Brunswick's website, which was redesigned Tuesday and now clearly separates new exposure notices from previously reported exposure notices.

Moncton region, Zone 1

• Oct. 5 between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.- Five Bridges Bar & Grill (121 Pine Glen Rd., Riverview)
• Oct. 4 between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Dr. Léon Richard Oncology Centre (37 Providence St. Moncton)
• Oct. 4-6 between 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Club Boishebert de Shediac (322 Main St., Shediac)
• Oct. 3 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. – YMCA (70 Twin Oaks Dr., Moncton)
• Oct. 3 between 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. – Cornerstone Chapel Moncton (11 York St., Berry Mills)
• Oct. 3 between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. – Hillsborough United Church (2891 Main St., Hillsborough)
• Between Oct. 2 and 3 between noon and 10 a.m. – Beauséjour Camping (747 Lino Rd., Shediac)
• Oct. 2 between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.– The Brick – (75 Trinity Dr., Moncton)
• Oct. 2 between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Costco (140 Granite Dr., Moncton)
• Oct. 2 between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Under Armour Factory House (78 Wyse St., Moncton)
• Oct. 2 between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Tire Shack Brewing (190 John St., Moncton)
• Oct. 2 between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Fox Creek Golf, Golf Course (200 Golf St., Dieppe)
• Oct. 2 between 11 a.m. and noon – Pür & Simple (477 Paul St., Dieppe)
• Oct. 2 between 1:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – George Dumont Hospital Emergency Room (330 Université Ave., Moncton)
• Oct. 2 between 7:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – Cocagne Arena (19 Marina Rd., Cocagne)
• Oct. 2 between 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. – Kay Arena (99 Wynwood Dr., Moncton)
• Oct. 1 between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. – Beauséjour Camping (747 Lino Rd., Shediac)
• Oct. 1 between 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. – The Fisherman (640 Main St., Shediac)
• Oct. 1 between 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. – St. James' Gate (Fox Creek Golf) (200 Golf St., Dieppe)
• Oct. 1 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Ole Hibachi (790 Dieppe Blvd., Dieppe)
• Oct. 1 between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Fox Creek Golf, Member's Lounge (200 Golf St., Dieppe)
• Oct. 1 between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. – Rossano's Italian Grill (30 Mapleton Rd., Moncton)
• Oct. 1 between 2:45 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. – Université de Moncton, Michel-Bastarache Law Library (18 Antonine Maillet Ave., Moncton)
• Oct. 1 between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Fox Creek Golf, Golf Course (200 Golf St., Dieppe)
• Oct. 1 between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Country View Restaurant (47379 Homestead Rd., Steeves Mountain)
• Oct. 1 between 11:45 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. – CCNB – Dieppe Campus (505 College St., Dieppe)
• Oct. 1 between 6:45 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. – Walmart (25 Plaza Blvd., Moncton)
• Sept. 30 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. – St. Louis Bar & Grill (500 Kennedy Rd., Dieppe)
• Sept. 30 between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. – Boston Pizza (1380 Mountain Rd., Moncton)
• Sept. 30 between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. – Walmart (25 Plaza Blvd., Moncton)
• Sept. 30 between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. – Cora's (1040 Champlain St., Dieppe)
• Sept. 23, 24, 29, and 30 between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. – Bikini Village (477 Paul St., Dieppe)
• Sept. 29 between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. – St. Louis Bar & Grill (500 Kennedy Rd., Dieppe)
• Sept. 29 to Oct. 3 between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. – Walmart (477 Paul St., Dieppe)
• Sept. 29 between 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – CCNB – Dieppe Campus (505 College St., Dieppe)
• Sept. 28 between 7 p.m. and midnight – Moncton Hospital, Emergency Department (135 Macbeath Ave., Moncton)
• Sept. 28 between 6:30 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. – Remi Rossignol Pavilion, Room D102, Université de Moncton (60 Notre-Dame-du-Sacre-Coeur St., Moncton)
• Sept. 28 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. – Wendy Johnston Pottery and Art Effects Fine Craft Gallery (3923 Main St., Hopewell Cape)
• Sept. 27 and 28 between 1:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. – Walmart (477 Paul St., Dieppe)
• Sept. 27 between 7:30 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. – CCNB – Dieppe Campus (505 College St., Dieppe)
• Sept. 27 between 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – George Dumont Hospital, ophthalmology waiting room (330 Université Ave., Moncton)
• Sept. 27 between 1:45 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. – Clinique Dr Sourire Orthodontists (211 Champlain Avenue, Suite 100, Dieppe)
• Sept. 27 between 1:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. – Taillon Pavilion, Room MTA 328, Université de Moncton (18 Antonine Maillet Ave., Moncton)
• Sept. 27 between 8:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. – Arts Pavilion, Room MAR217, Université de Moncton (55 Antonine Maillet Ave., Moncton)

Saint John region, Zone 2

• Oct. 8 between 6:45 a.m. and 11:30 p.m.  – Station 33 Café & Yoga restaurant section (33 Railway Cres., Hampton)
• Oct. 1 and 8 between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. – Hampton Chop Shop (557 Main St., Hampton)
• Oct. 2 to Oct. 7 between 6:45 a.m. and 3 p.m. – Station 33 Café & Yoga restaurant section (33 Railway Cres., Hampton)
• Oct. 5, 6, and 7 between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – McAllister Place (519 Westmorland Rd., Saint John)
• Between Oct. 4 and 7 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. – Hampton Chop Shop (557 Main St., Hampton)
• Oct. 7, between 7:45 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. – Hampton Community Center rink (808 Main St., Hampton)
• Oct. 6, between noon and 3 p.m. – Dr. Luan Le's Office (35 University Ave., Saint John)
• Oct. 6, between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. – Char and Chowder Restaurant (182 Water St., Saint Andrews)
• Oct. 5 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – 8th Hussars Sports Centre (8 Leonard Dr., Sussex)
• Oct. 5, between 1:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – Up to Par Restaurant (109 Upper Midland Rd., Norton)
• Oct. 5 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. – Canterbury Dental Clinic (18 Canterbury St., Saint John)
• Oct. 4 and 5 between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. – Needs Convenience Store (89 Marr Rd., Rothesay)
• Oct. 4, between 5:45 p.m. and 16:15 p.m. – Mac's Island Market (924 Route 774, Welshpool)
• Oct. 3 between 4 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. – Vito's Restaurant (111 Hampton Rd., Rothesay)
• Oct. 3, between 10:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. – Char and Chowder Restaurant (182 Water St., Saint Andrews)
• Oct. 3 – Kings Church (332 Hampton Rd., Quispamsis)
• Oct. 2 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. – Hampton Chop Shop (557 Main St., Hampton)
• Oct. 2 between 2 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. – Leon's (428 Rothesay Ave., Saint John)
• Oct. 2 between 2 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. – Leon's Clearance Centre (525 Rothesay Ave., Saint John)
• Oct. 2 between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. – Needs Convenience Store (89 Marr Rd., Rothesay)
• Oct. 1 between 10:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. – Guardian Pharmacy (101 King St., St. Stephen)
• Oct. 1 between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. – Needs Convenience Store (89 Marr Rd., Rothesay)
• Between Sept. 27 and 30 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. – Hampton Chop Shop (557 Main St., Hampton)
• Sept. 30 between 3:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. – House of Chan (701 Millidge Ave., Saint John)
• Sept. 30 and Oct. 5 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. – Canterbury Dental Clinic (18 Canterbury St., Saint John)
• Sept. 30 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. – Canterbury Dental Clinic (18 Canterbury St., Saint John)
• Sept. 29 between 2:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. – All Smiles Orthodontic Specialist (157 Hampton Rd., Rothesay)
• Sept. 29 between noon and 2 p.m. – Holy Redeemer Parish (316, Somerset St., Saint John)
• Sept. 29 between 9 a.m. and noon – St. Joseph's Hospital, Urgent Care Department (130 Bayard Dr., Saint John)
• Sept. 28 between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. – St. Joseph's Hospital, Urgent Care Department (130 Bayard Dr., Saint John)
• Sept. 28 between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – New Brunswick Provincial Court (10 Peel Plaza, Saint John)
• Sept. 28 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. – QPLEX – (20 Randy Jones Way, Quispamsis)
• Sept. 27 and 28 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. – Guardian Pharmacy (101 King St., St. Stephen)
• Sept. 27 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Dr. Demmings Office (Building A. Suite 205, Hilyard Place, 560 Main St., Saint John)

Fredericton region, Zone 3

• Oct. 8 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Starbucks (1040 Prospect St., Fredericton)
• Oct. 8 between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Taco Boys (10 Trinity Ave., Fredericton)
• Oct. 8 between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Vape City (10 Trinity Ave., Fredericton)
• Sept. 14 to Oct. 7 – Tobique Valley Senior's Complex (4 Manor Dr., Plaster Rock)
• Oct. 7 between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. – East Side Mario's (14 Trinity Ave., Fredericton)
• Oct. 7 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Dollarama (1381 Regent St., Fredericton)
• Oct. 7 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Walmart (1399 Regent St., Fredericton)
• Oct. 7 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Hanwell Village Mart (1761 Hanwell Rd., Hanwell)
• Oct. 6 between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Capital Community Church (71 Downing St., Fredericton)
• Oct. 6 between noon and 2 p.m. – Ken's Barber Shop (240 Main St., Plaster Rock)October 4 between 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Scotiabank (728 Perth Main St., Perth-Andover)
• Oct. 5 between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Abony Family Tennis Centre (594 Knowledge Park Dr., Fredericton)
• Oct. 4 between 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Scotiabank (728 Perth Main St., Perth-Andover)
• Oct. 4 between 9:40 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. – Subway (18 F. Tribe Rd. Unit 3, Perth-Andover)
• Oct. 3 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Pond's Resort on the Miramichi restaurant (91 Porter Cove Rd., Porter Cove)
• Oct. 3 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Speedway 104 Mower races (7399 Route 104, Windsor)
• Oct. 3 between 10:30 a.m. and noon – Sure Life Assembly (335 Otis Drive, Nackawic)
• Oct. 3 between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. – G8Way Ultramar (22 Route 628, Penniac)
• Oct. 3 between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Kingswood Golf Club (1700 Kingswood Way, Hanwell)
• Oct. 2 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – East Side Mario's (14 Trinity Ave., Fredericton)
• Oct. 2-3 between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. – Quality Inn and Suites Amsterdam (559 Bishop Dr., Fredericton)
• Oct. 2 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Fredericton Indoor Pool (79 Carrington Ln., Fredericton))
• Oct. 2, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. – Ryan's Pharmacy (135 Otis Dr., Nackawic)
• Oct. 1 between 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. – Scott's Your Independent Grocer (24 Columbus St., Perth-Andover)
• Oct. 1 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Pizza Delight (403 Connell St., Woodstock)
• Oct. 1 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Hilltop Restaurant (1034 Prospect St., Fredericton)
• Sept. 30 between 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Giant Tiger (598 Union St., Fredericton)
• Sept. 29 between noon to 2 p.m. – The River Restaurant (558 Main St., Woodstock)
• Between Sept. 28-29 between 6 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. – St. Mary's Entertainment Centre (185 Gabriel Dr., Fredericton)
• Sept. 28 – C. Terrance Shaw Dental Office (15 Station St., Perth Andover)
• Sept. 28 between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. –– Kingswood Golf Club (1700 Kingswood Way, Hanwell)
• Between Sept. 27-28 between 6 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. – St. Mary's Entertainment Centre (185 Gabriel Dr., Fredericton)
• Sept. 27 between 10 a.m. and noon – Shoppers Drug Mart (3710 Connell St., Woodstock)

Edmundston region, Zone 4

• Oct. 10 between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Walmart (805 Victoria Rd., Edmundston)
• Oct. 9 between 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. – Casino Grey Rock (100 Chief Joanna Blvd., Saint Basile)
• Oct. 9 between noon and 2 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (344 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Oct. 9 between noon and 2 p.m. – Saint Quentin Co-Op (145 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Oct. 8 between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Oct. 8 between 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (344 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Oct. 8 between 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Familiprix – Kevin Smyth (138 Main St., Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska)
• Oct. 3 to Oct. 7 – Rodeway Inn (10039 Route 144, Grand Falls)
• Oct. 7 between 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – Walmart (805 Victoria Rd., Edmundston)
• Oct. 7 between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Supermarché Bonichoix (746 Main St., Saint Leonard)
• Oct. 6-7 between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. – Subway (360 Canada St., Saint Quentin)
• Oct. 6 between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Catholic Diocesan Centre (60 René-Bouchard Rd., Edmundston)
• Oct. 4 between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Dollarama (180 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls) 
• Oct. 4 between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Road, Grand Falls)
• Oct. 4 between 8:15 a.m. and 9 a.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Road, Grand Falls)
• Oct. 4, between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Road, Grand Falls)
• Oct. 4, between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Road, Grand Falls)
• Oct. 4, between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (180 Madawaska Road, Unit #700, Grand Falls)
• Oct. 3 between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Subway (360 Canada St., Saint Quentin)
• Oct. 3, between 9:15 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. – St. George Church (226 St. Georges Rd., Grand Falls)
• Oct. 2 between noon and 3 p.m. – Sports Experts (33 Canada Rd., Edmundston)
• Oct. 2, between 10 a.m. and noon – Bonichoix (4 Saint Camille Rd., Kedgwick)
• Oct. 1, between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. – Bonichoix (4 Saint Camille Rd., Kedgwick)
• Oct. 1 between 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. – Jean Coutu (276 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Oct. 1 between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Oct. 1 between 8:15 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. – Giant Tiger (200 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Oct.1 between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. – Irving (272 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Oct. 1 between 1:30 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. – Kent (772 Victoria St., Edmundston)
• Sept. 30 between noon and 8 p.m. – Coop Ô Naturel (2 Jeanne d'Arc Rd., Kedgwick)
• Sept. 30 between 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Bonichoix (4 Saint Camille Rd., Kedgwick)
• Sept. 30 between 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. – Bonichoix (4 Saint-Camille Rd., Kedgwick)
• Sept. 29-30 between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. – Bonichoix (4 Saint Camille Rd., Kedgwick)
• Sept. 29 between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. – Subway (360 Canada St., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 29 between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – Douce plénitude, Centre d'éveil et de soins holistiques (34 Bergeron Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 29 between 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Coop Ô Naturel (2 Jeanne d'Arc Rd., Kedgwick)
• Sept. 29 between noon and 1 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (344 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 29 between noon and 12:30 p.m. – Ultramar (224 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 29 between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Saint Quentin Co-Op (145 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 29 between noon and 12:30 p.m. – Subway (360 Canada St., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 29 between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – Pür & Simple (30 de l'Église Rd., Edmundston)
• Sept. 29 between 6:45 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. – Esso (15 Notre Dame Rd., Kedgwick)
• Sept. 29 between 1:15 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 29 between 12:30 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (180 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls
• Sept, 28 between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Subway (360 Canada St., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 28 between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – UNI Financial Cooperative (205 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 28 between 1:15 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. – La Moisson Public Library (206 Canada St., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 27 between noon and 1 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (344 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 27 between noon and 1 p.m. – Saint Quentin Co-Op (145 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 27 between noon and 1 p.m. – Simply for Life (221 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 27 between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska St., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 27 between 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Physio Proactive de Saint-Quentin (168 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 27 between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Saint Quentin Co-Op (145 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)

Campbellton region, Zone 5

• Oct. 6-8 – Clinique Vétérinaire Lépine (148 Notre Dame St., Atholville)
• Oct. 6 between 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. – Brasserie 1026 Bar & Grill (157 Water St., Campbellton)
• Oct. 5-7 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. – CCNB – Campbellton Campus (47 Village Ave., Campbellton)
• Oct. 4 between 11:40 a.m. and 12:55 p.m. – Bonnie's Tabata Fitness (1 Union St., Campbellton)
• Between Oct. 1-6 – Campbellton Regional Hospital Med-Surg unit (189 Lily Lake Rd., Campbellton)
• Oct. 1 between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. – McIntyre Convenience Store (230 Chaleur St., Charlo)
• Oct. 1 – East Coast Industrial (1 Boom Rd., Atholville)
• Sept. 29-39 – East Coast Industrial (1 Boom Rd., Atholville)
• Sept, 29 between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. – McIntyre Convenience (230 Chaleur St., Charlo)
• Sept. 28-29, between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. – Dixie Lee Family Restaurant (168 Water St., Campbellton)
• Sept. 27-28, between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. – Island Lake Club (Balmoral Parish)
• Sept. 27-28 – East Coast Industrial (1 Boom Rd., Atholville)

Bathurst region, Zone 6

• Oct. 5 between 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – Dixie Lee Restaurant (49 St-Pierre Boul. W., Caraquet)
• Oct. 4 between noon and 1 p.m. – L'Entracte Resto Pub (3394 Principale St., Tracadie)
• Oct. 3 between 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Walmart (900 St. Anne St., Bathurst)
• Oct. 2 between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Boutique Évasion (956 Main St., Neguac)
• Oct. 2 between 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. – Walmart (900 St. Anne St., Bathurst)
• Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 between 1 p.m. and 10 p.m. – Walmart (900 St. Anne St., Bathurst)
• Sept. 29 between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. – Vaccination clinic, K.C. Irving Centre (850 St. Anne St., Bathurst)
• Sept. 27, 28, and 29 between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Brick (1165 St. Anne St., Bathurst)

Miramichi region, Zone 7

• Oct. 5 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Downtown Beauty Salon (1706 Water St., Miramichi) 
• Oct. 3 between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Harvey's (2470 King George Highway, Miramichi)
• Oct. 2 between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Boutique Évasion (956 Main St., Neguac)
• Sept. 30 between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m. – Subway (186 King St., Miramichi)
• Sept. 28 and 29, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. – L.J. Patterson Sales and Service (752 Main St., Beresford)
• Sept. 28 between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. – Subway (186 King St., Miramichi)
• Sept. 27 between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. – Subway (186 King St., Miramichi)

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.