N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 109 new cases, 63 people in hospital

New Brunswick has 109 new cases of COVID-19 and 63 people in hospital with the virus, 27 of them in intensive care.

The fourth wave is "hitting our province very hard," Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell said Tuesday, after the province surpassed 1,000 active cases for the first time Monday, and now stands at 1,092.

A surge in new infections like this hasn't happened before and will likely continue for "some time," she said, noting it will take roughly a week for the two-week circuit breaker, which began Friday night in the "hot zones," to take effect.

The province's focus now is on the infections that develop into more serious illness and lead to hospitalizations and deaths.

People who are unvaccinated are 18 times more likely to become seriously ill if they contract the virus, Russell told the COVID briefing.

But there now are, and will continue to be, so-called breakthrough cases in people who are fully vaccinated, she said.

Of the 109 new cases announced Tuesday, 72 – or 66 per cent – are unvaccinated, five – or five per cent – are partially vaccinated, and 32 – or 29 per cent – are fully vaccinated.

Russell told reporters she's "absolutely" worried such breakthrough cases could dissuade unvaccinated people from getting their shots, or partially vaccinated people from getting their second dose.

That's why she went over the numbers to help "frame the risks and put everything into context."

The vaccine is very effective but not perfect, she said. It is "very good" at preventing serious illness, hospitalization, and death.

Since Aug. 1, the rate of ICU admissions for unvaccinated patients is 33.4 cases for every 100,000 unvaccinated New Brunswickers. By comparison, the rate among those fully vaccinated has been just 1.8 cases, Russell said, urging everyone eligible to get their shot.

Of Tuesday's 63 hospitalizations, 48 people – or 76 per cent – are not fully vaccinated. Of the 27 people in ICU, 22 – or 82 per cent – are unvaccinated.

As of Tuesday, 81.6 per cent of New Brunswickers age 12 and older are fully vaccinated, up from 81.5 per cent on Monday, while 90.8 per cent have received their first dose, up from 90.7.

Russell said she's "particularly pleased" to see the number of people getting a first dose is rising again. "This shows that our measures to encourage vaccination are having the desired effect."

But 128,000 New Brunswickers aged 12 and older are still not fully protected, including 69,000 who are unvaccinated, she said, adding she's concerned about those numbers and concerned about those individuals.

Another "tens of thousands" of children under 12 are not yet eligible for vaccination.

All provincial government employees, staff in long-term care facilities and staff and volunteers in schools and licensed early learning and child-care facilities must be fully vaccinated by Nov. 19.

Hospitalizations projected to increase 6% within week

COVID-19 hospitalizations are expected to increase by six per cent over the next week, said Health Minister Dorothy Shephard.

That's based on the province's latest modelling, she told the COVID-19 briefing Tuesday.

"That actually is less than what was predicted, let's say, a week ago at about 13 per cent. And it could have gone as high as 30 per cent without measures being taken."

Sixty-three people are being treated in hospital because of the virus and 27 of them require intensive care, an increase of seven of each from Monday.

One of the people hospitalized is under the age of 19 — a first for the province.

Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell said officials aren't able to predict a downturn in new confirmed cases of COVID "quite yet."

"We are waiting for probably another seven days before we see the cases start to drop," she said.

Projections released to CBC by the Department of Health last week showed hospitalizations could hit 120 by early November if contact rates don't dramatically drop.

Seeing fewer people reduces contact rates, as does reducing the duration of contact, Sanjeev Seahra, professor and chair of the University of New Brunswick's department of mathematics and statistics in Fredericton, who worked on the projections with the Department of Health, has said. Other measures, such as physical distancing and wearing a mask also help.

If New Brunwickers reduce their contact rate by 20 per cent, that number would peak at 70 within a couple of weeks, according to the graph. No other accompanying data was provided.

With a 40 per cent reduction, there would be no hospitalized COVID patients by Christmas, the graph showed, while a 60 per cent decrease would see hospitalizations drop to about 20 by the end of the month.

No modelling for ICU admissions, new cases or deaths has been released.

Hospitals enter 'red alert' levels

All Vitalité Health Network hospitals moved to the COVID-19 "red alert" level Tuesday and Horizon Health Network hospitals and health-care centres will follow suit on Wednesday.

The changes will allow the regional health authorities to redeploy staff to maintain emergency services and intensive care units, caring for COVID-19 patients and those who are critically ill, officials have said.

All non-essential health-care services will be "greatly reduced" or temporarily suspended, Vitalité has said.

Affected services include:

• Elective surgeries
• Ambulatory care services
• Professional services, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and nutrition
• Non-urgent medical imaging services, such as X-rays and scans

Horizon said some of its non-urgent elective surgeries, medical procedures and outpatient appointments may need to be postponed as well.

All affected patients and clients will be contacted directly by Horizon or their health-care provider if their non-urgent surgery, procedure or appointment needs to be cancelled, it said in a news release Tuesday.

"If you have not been contacted, please attend your appointment as planned."

Outpatient appointments include: appointments at ambulatory outpatient clinics and professional services outpatient appointments, such as therapeutic services, blood and specimen collection, diagnostic imaging (X-ray), electrodiagnostics and respiratory therapy, the release said.

Both Vitalité and Horizon have also suspended all hospital visits.

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

"I am pleased to hear that nearly all hospitals continue to have capacity available to provide essential services," she said.

Shephard acknowledged it is "very frustrating" for those who have had an appointment or surgery postponed, but stressed these measures are necessary "get the situation under control as quickly as possible."

"I am hopeful that with the regulations currently in place, hospitalizations will begin to decline very soon and these measures will not be necessary for long."

The minister commended the two regional health authorities for the co-operation they have shown under these challenging circumstances. She cited sharing resources as an example, noting Horizon sent some nurses to Campbellton last Friday to help offset a Vitalité shortage

Use of rapid tests may be expanded

New Brunswick is "exploring" expanding its use of rapid testing as a way to prevent the coronavirus from spreading, said Health Minister Dorothy Shephard.

"There have been questions about whether or not we could use them … for certain medical appointments, if we can ensure the continuity of services in using them," she said.

"But they will all be based on supply."

Last Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a statement saying, "the Government of Canada remains ready to respond to any requests from the Government of New Brunswick, including supplying additional rapid testing kits."

He issued the statement following a telephone meeting with Premier Blaine Higgs.

Two weeks ago, Higgs also suggested the province might move toward more rapid testing.

"I think we can start to move in that direction so it gives people more flexibility to determine their health and not lose time," he had said.

Some experts have called for wider use of rapid tests in the province, saying they could "put a lid" on transmission by identifying asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic people and helping to prevent spread.

New Brunswick started using rapid testing in schools Tuesday. Unvaccinated students who have been identified as a close contact of a positive case of COVID will now be provided with a five-day or 15-day supply of the tests, depending on the last possible exposure date to the confirmed case, to help reduce the time they need to self-isolate and to minimize disruptions to learning, Shephard said.

Free self-screening rapid test kits are also available to small- and medium-size businesses and organizations through the chambers of commerce as part of a national program.

Russell said the program has been successful but one "hiccup" is that some people who have been provided with the test kits don't understand the steps they need to follow if they test positive, including notifying Public Health.

Larger employers, with more than 300 employees, can apply for rapid test kits on the province's website.

Breakdown of the new cases

The 109 new cases confirmed Tuesday are spread across all seven health zones. Here is the breakdown:

Moncton region, Zone 1, 32 cases:

• 14 people 19 or under
• Four people 20-29
• Six people 30-39
• Five people 40-49
• Three people 60-69

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

Saint John region, Zone 2, 22 cases:

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

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

Fredericton region, Zone 3, 17 cases:

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

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

Edmundston region, Zone 4, 11 cases:

• Three people 19 or under
• A person 20-29
• A person 50-59
• Two people 60-69
• Two people 70-79
• A person 80-89
• A person 90 and over

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

Campbellton region, Zone 5, 20 cases:

• Three people 19 or under
• Four people 20-29
• A person 30-39
• Two people 40-49
• Five people 50-59
• A person 60-69
• Two people 70-79
• Two people 80-89.

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

Bathurst region, Zone 6, three cases:

• A person 19 or under
• A person 20-29
• A person 30-39

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

Miramichi region, Zone 7, four cases:

• Two people 19 or under
• A person 40-49
• A person 60-69

All four of these cases are under investigation.

New Brunswick has had 5,367 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, with 4,199 recoveries so far and 75 COVID-related deaths.

A total of 493,631 tests have been conducted to date.

MLA calls for probe into nursing home outbreak, transparency

Megan Mitton, the MLA for Memramcook-Tantramar and the Green Party's health critic, is calling for an independent investigation into the COVID-19 outbreak at a Sackville nursing home and for the government to be more transparent about outbreaks at other facilities.

As of Oct. 8, eight people at Drew Nursing Home have died, and 39 people have tested positive, including 29 residents and 10 staff – more than any other long-term care facility during the fourth wave.

"It feels like the government has been asleep at the wheel in Sackville," Mitton said in a statement Tuesday regarding the month-long outbreak.

"Residents and their families need answers. Why wasn't this outbreak immediately brought under control by PROMT [the provincial rapid outbreak management team] and the Department of Social Development, as past outbreaks in long-term care facilities have been? What went wrong?"

Mitton also wants the government to release information about which facilities have had outbreaks since the fourth wave began, including the number of cases and deaths at each.

On Sept. 22, the government announced PROMT teams had been activated at 15 locations across the province, including nursing homes, a shelter and First Nation community. But no update has been provided since then.

"We are now seeing the same type of crisis at the Drew Nursing Home that other provinces experienced during previous waves. What is happening in long-term care facilities elsewhere in the province?" Mitton said. "It seems as if the government is trying to sweep this under the rug." 

Health Minister Dorothy Shephard said it's "not unlike opposition to call for independent investigations into pretty much anything."

She stressed she's not downplaying the significance of the Drew Nursing Home outbreak. "It has been a difficult time in that facility."

But she contends 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," Shephard said.

Flu shots now available

New Brunswickers aged six months and older are being encouraged to get a free flu shot at a clinic or through a primary care giver, starting Tuesday, to help reduce the strain COVID-19 has put on the health-care system.

People age 65 and older can get "an enhanced high-dose influenza vaccine," which gives them a stronger immune response and extra protection, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jennifer Russell has said.

Keeping people healthy this flu season is more important than ever, Russell said in a statement.

"By getting this year's flu shot, we are helping to reduce hospital visits from influenza-related illnesses and freeing up those resources for areas where they are needed most."

The flu was basically "non-existent" in New Brunswick last year, thanks to Public Health measures put in place because of COVID-19, such as wearing masks.

But Russell is worried it's due to "make a comeback this winter."

She noted the 2017-2018 flu season saw about 600 people hospitalized because of the flu, and roughly 50 deaths.

"Being infected by the flu obviously carries risks of hospitalization and death. But having the flu and COVID-19 at the same time could severely impact your health," she told the COVID briefing Tuesday.

"The best protection you can have is to be fully vaccinated against both viruses."

Residents can get their flu shot at a variety of clinics offered at pharmacies and community health centres or through other primary-care providers, such as physicians, public health nurses, midwives and paramedics.

Out-of-province students can be immunized through student health services at their respective post-secondary institutions. New residents and non-residents without a Medicare card can get flu shots free of charge from a pharmacist.

The Department of Health will be including the high-dose flu vaccine as part of its immunization program for all elderly residents, including those in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes and adult residential facilities.

The flu shot can be safely administered at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine, Russell has said.

Public Health is offering an mRNA 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.

Older adults have a higher risk of serious complications from influenza, including pneumonia, heart failure, hospitalization or even death. The high-dose vaccines contain four times the antigens of regular vaccines to boost the immune system, according to Public Health.

New cases at 37 schools, 3 daycares

Positive cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at 37 schools and three daycares spread across six of the seven regions since Friday, according to a news release issued by the province Tuesday.

In the Moncton region, Zone 1, "a case or cases" have been confirmed at the following schools: Lewisville Middle School, École le Sommet and Sunny Brae Middle School, all located in Moncton; and École Mont-Carmel in Sainte-Marie-de-Kent, the release said.

A new case or cases have been confirmed in the following previously impacted schools: École le Mascaret, Northrop Frye School, Queen Elizabeth School, École Sainte-Bernadette, Hillsborough Elementary School, École l'Odyssée, Beaverbrook School, Evergreen Park School, Maplehurst Middle School, École Champlain, Birchmount School, Harrison Trimble High School and Moncton High School, all located in Moncton; and École Sainte-Thérèse in Dieppe.

A case was also confirmed at PowerPlay Academy Moncton 4.  

In the Saint John region, Zone 2, a case was confirmed at Chris Saunders Memorial Elementary School in Quispamsis.

A new case or cases have been confirmed at the following previously impacted schools: Hampton Middle School, Hampton Elementary School and Campobello Consolidated School.

In the Fredericton region, Zone 3, a case or cases have been confirmed at the following schools: Bliss Carman Middle School in Fredericton and Nackawic Senior High School.

A new case or cases have been confirmed at the following previously impacted schools: Liverpool Elementary School in Fredericton and Hartland Community School.

In the Edmundston region, Zone 4, a case was confirmed at École Régionale-de-Saint-André.

A new case or cases have been confirmed at the following previously impacted schools: École Saint-Jacques and Carrefour de la Jeunesse, both located in Edmundston.

A new case was also confirmed at Garderie du Domaine in Edmundston, which was previously impacted.

In the Campbellton region, Zone 5, a case or cases have been confirmed at the following schools: Académie Notre-Dame in Dalhousie and École la Mosaïque du Nord in Balmoral.

A new case or cases have been confirmed at the following previously impacted schools: Sugarloaf Senior High School and Polyvalente Roland-Pépin, both located in Campbellton; and École Aux quatre vents in Dalhousie.

A case was also confirmed at Garderie Tourbillon de Soleil in Balmoral.

In the Bathurst region, Zone 6, a case has been confirmed at École la Ruche in Tracadie-Sheila.

In the Miramichi region, Zone 7, a case has been confirmed at Carrefour Beausoleil in Miramichi.

New cases were also confirmed at King Street Elementary School in Miramichi, which was previously impacted.

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, the release said.

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, 94 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.

A school COVID dashboard will be available on the Healthy and Safe Schools website "in the coming days," according to the news release.

Atlantic COVID roundup

Nova Scotia reported a four-day total of 99 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, putting the province's active case count at 197. There are 15 people in hospital with COVID-19, including two in intensive care.

Newfoundland and Labrador recorded two more COVID-related deaths and added 21 new cases of COVID over the Thanksgiving long weekend. The province has 69 active cases, with 12 people in hospital due to the virus, five of them in critical care.

Prince Edward Island announced three new cases of COVID-19 Monday, and has six active cases.

New public exposure notices

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

• 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)
• Oct. 1 between 6:45 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. – Walmart (25 Plaza Blvd., Moncton)
• Sept. 30 between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. – Walmart (25 Plaza Blvd., 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. 2 to Oct. 7 between 6:45 a.m. and 3 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. 5, 6, and 7 between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – McAllister Place (519 Westmorland Rd., Saint John)
• Oct. 4 and 5 between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. – Needs Convenience Store (89 Marr Rd., Rothesay)
• Between Oct. 4 and 7 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. – Hampton Chop Shop (557 Main St., Hampton)
• 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 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. 28 between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – New Brunswick Provincial Court (10 Peel Plaza, Saint John)

Fredericton region, Zone 3

• Oct. 8 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Starbucks (1040 Prospect 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 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. 3 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Speedway 104 Mower races (7399 Route 104, Windsor)
• Oct. 3 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Pond's Resort on the Miramichi restaurant (91 Porter Cove Rd., Porter Cove)
• 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)
• 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. 6 between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Capital Community Church (71 Downing St., Fredericton)
• Oct. 5 between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Abony Family Tennis Centre (594 Knowledge Park Dr., Fredericton)
• Sept. 28 – C. Terrance Shaw Dental Office (15 Station St., Perth Andover)

Edmundston region, Zone 4

• Oct. 3 to Oct. 7 – Rodeway Inn (10039 Route 144, Grand Falls)
• 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 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Familiprix – Kevin Smyth (138 Main St., Sainte-Anne-de-Madawaska)
• 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 between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Catholic Diocesan Centre (60 René-Bouchard Rd., Edmundston)

Campbellton region, Zone 5

• Between Oct. 5 and 7 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. – CCNB – Campbellton Campus (47 Village Ave., Campbellton)

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. 2 between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Boutique Évasion (956 Main St., Neguac)

Miramichi region, Zone 7

• Oct. 2 between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Boutique Évasion (956 Main St., Neguac)

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)
• Between Oct. 2 and 3 between noon and 10 a.m. – Beauséjour Camping (747 Lino Rd., Shediac)
• 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)
• 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 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. 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, between 5:45 p.m. and 16:15 p.m. – Mac's Island Market (924 Route 774, Welshpool)
• Oct. 3, between 10:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. – Char and Chowder Restaurant (182 Water St., Saint Andrews)
• Oct. 3 between 4 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. – Vito's Restaurant (111 Hampton Rd., Rothesay)
• Oct. 1 between 10:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. – Guardian Pharmacy (101 King St., St. Stephen)
• 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 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. – QPLEX – (20 Randy Jones Way, Quispamsis)
• Sept. 28 between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. – St. Joseph's Hospital, Urgent Care Department (130 Bayard Dr., Saint John)
• 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

• Sept. 14 to Oct. 7 – Tobique Valley Senior's Complex (4 Manor Dr., Plaster Rock)
• 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 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)
• Sept. 28 between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. –– Kingswood Golf Club (1700 Kingswood Way, Hanwell)
• Between Sept. 28-29 between 6 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. – St. Mary's Entertainment Centre (185 Gabriel Dr., Fredericton)
• 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. 8 between 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (344 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Oct. 6-7 between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. – Subway (360 Canada St., Saint Quentin)
• Oct. 4-7 – Rodeway Inn (10039 Route 144, Grand Falls)
• 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, 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. 6 between 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. – Brasserie 1026 Bar & Grill (157 Water St., 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. 3 between 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Walmart (900 St. Anne St., Bathurst)
• 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) 
• 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.