N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Circuit breaker for some areas, 1 more death, 90 new cases

New Brunswick has announced a 14-day COVID-19 circuit breaker for parts of the province deemed "hot zones" and limited all Thanksgiving gatherings to single households, as the virus claimed one more life and infected 90 more people.

Other steps taken by the Higgs government Tuesday to try to "corral" the disease:

• Long-term care workers, staff and volunteers in schools and licensed early learning and child-care centres have until Nov. 19 to be fully vaccinated or face unpaid leave.
• All government employees must be fully vaccinated by Nov. 19 or face unpaid leave.
• Starting Oct. 12, rapid tests will be used in schools for unvaccinated students who are deemed a close contact of a positive case.

The province has seen an unprecedented number of deaths, ICU admissions and hospitalizations in the past month and a record number of new and active cases, said Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell.

The health-care system is "extremely, extremely stretched," and more action is needed, she told the COVID briefing.

The Horizon and Vitalité health networks have already "pulled out all the stops," trying to juggle resources and demand. Some surgeries have been cancelled and some health-care workers have been moved to priority services, reducing other services.

"If we don't arrest the current spread of the virus, we will be facing more issues in our health system and the people it cares for," said Russell.

"If the spread of the virus were to accelerate unchecked, we would have more than 100 New Brunswickers in hospital at one time with COVID 19. And we don't want that to happen here."

The circuit-breaker measures in the Moncton region, Zone 1, as far north as Sainte-Anne-de-Kent, the northern portion of the Fredericton region, Zone 3, from and including Deerville and Florenceville-Bristol, and all of the Edmundston region, Zone 4, are designed to protect the health-care system and prevent the virus from becoming even more entrenched, said Premier Blaine Higgs.

Starting Friday at 6 p.m., people in these areas must limit their contact to their single household, which includes individuals living together, caregivers for any member of the household, and any parent, child, sibling, grandparent or grandchild living outside the household who requires supports, he said.

"This means that indoor and outdoor gatherings are not permitted beyond your single household, except in public places where proof of vaccination is required."

N.B. premier announces circuit breaker for COVID-19 hotspots, and Thanksgiving restrictions for all areas

3 years ago

Duration 4:07

Premier Blaine Higgs has imposed a 14-day 'circuit breaker' on some parts of New Brunswick, and Thanksgiving restrictions provincewide.

Travel to and from the circuit breaker areas is prohibited, unless travel is required for work, health services, child custody, child care or post-secondary education.

Schools will remain open but school sports and extra-curricular activities will be put on hold for those 12 or under, and no spectators will be permitted for any other school sports or extra-curricular activities within the affected areas. 

Businesses, entertainment centres and events can continue to operate because these are "controlled areas," where proof of vaccination is checked, said Higgs.

"We must act. We cannot delay any longer," Higgs said.

Since the last COVID briefing last Wednesday, 13 people have died. The most recent death is a person in their 80s in the Edmundston region.

Fifty people are in hospital, 23 of them in intensive care. No one under the age of 19 is in hospital.

There are now 782 active cases across the province.

Restrictions on gatherings will apply to all New Brunswickers for Thanksgiving weekend, said Higgs.

People are limited to their single households, both indoors and outdoors, starting Friday at 6 p.m. until Monday at 11:59 p.m.

Travel outside the province is still permitted, the government clarified on Twitter. "Border restrictions have not changed."

Higgs acknowledged the restrictions will be "tough" on many families, including his own.

I appreciate this is a lot to take in, but it is imperative that we now take decisive action if we're going to get this fourth wave under control as quickly as possible.- Blaine Higgs, premier

"Thanksgiving is a time when we all give appreciation for the blessings we share in this wonderful province. We will get them back. We just have to delay it a little longer."

Higgs also announced vaccinations are now mandatory for long-term care home workers, daycare workers as well as government employees in Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4, which include the departments often referred to as the civil service, the education system, including teachers, bus drivers, and school district employees, the health-care system and Crown corporations.

Employees in these sectors have until Nov. 19 to be fully vaccinated. After that date, anyone who is not fully vaccinated and does not have a valid medical exemption will be sent home without pay.

Early learning and child-care facilities that don't ensure their staff are fully vaccinated also face the possibility of losing their licence, he warned.

Prior to Nov. 19, anyone who is not fully vaccinated and who is identified as a contact of a positive case will be required to isolate without pay for 14 days.

Higgs estimated the new policy will affect about 10 per cent of public service employees. He did not provide a total number, but a 2020 workforce profile put the number of employees in Parts 1, 2 and 3 of government at roughly 47,000.

For the rapid testing program in schools, unvaccinated students who are identified as a close contact of a confirmed case will be provided with either a five- or 10-day supply of rapid tests, depending on the last possible exposure date to the confirmed case, along with instructions.

They will have to isolate for at least 24 hours and can return to school after two negative tests, provided they have no  COVID symptoms, but will be required to continue to test daily until Public Health says they can stop.

Students who are vaccinated will be asked to voluntarily provide proof of vaccination "so that they may return to class as quickly as possible, even when a case has been confirmed at a school," Public Health said in a news release.

Students who do not provide proof of vaccination or participate in rapid testing programs will have to self-isolate, as prescribed by Public Health, it said.

"I appreciate this is a lot to take in, but it is imperative that we now take decisive action if we're going to get this fourth wave under control as quickly as possible," said Higgs.

"This is certainly not an announcement that I wanted to make," he added.

Asked why it took the province nearly a week to provide the public with an update briefing after arguably one of the worst weeks of the pandemic, Higgs replied, "We came with news of change."

He noted the province had "an extensive conversation throughout the entire weekend  with health professionals, with Public Health, with outside agencies and societies to determine what are the next moves."

Breakthrough cases

Of the 50 people in hospital Tuesday, 41 are unvaccinated, two are partially vaccinated and seven are fully vaccinated.

"Because of the high number of cases, we are seeing some breakthrough cases in vaccinated individuals," said Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jennifer Russell.

But the percentage of vaccinated people who have tested positive remains far lower than the percentage of those who are unvaccinated, she said.

"Vaccines continue to be one of our most effective tools in preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19."

A total of 80.7 per cent of New Brunswickers aged 12 or older are now fully vaccinated, up from 80.6 on Monday, while 89.7 per cent have received their first dose of a vaccine, up from 89.5.

Breakdown of new cases

Here is a breakdown of the 90 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed Tuesday:

Moncton region, Zone 1, 45 cases:

• 15 people 19 or under
• Six people 20 to 29
• Nine people 30 to 39
• Five people 40 to 49
• Five people 50 to 59
• Three people 60 to 69
• A person 70 to 79
• A person 80 to 89

Forty-two of these cases are under investigation and the other three are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Saint John region, Zone 2, four cases:

• Two people 40 to 49
• A person 50 to 59
• A person 60 to 69

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

Fredericton region, Zone 3, 25 cases:

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

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

Edmundston region, Zone 4, seven cases:

• Four people 19 or under
• A person 20 to 29
• Two people 70 to 79

Four of these cases are under investigation and the other three are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Campbellton region, Zone 5, one case:

• A person 50 to 59

This case is under investigation.

Bathurst region, Zone 6, five cases:

• Two people 19 or under
• A person 40 to 49
• A person 60 to 69
• A person 70 to 79

All five of these cases are under investigation.

Miramichi region, Zone 7, three cases:

• A person 19 or under
• Two people 30 to 39

All three of these cases are under investigation.

New Brunswick has had 4,670 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, with 3,818 recoveries so far and 69 COVID-related deaths.

A total of 476,714 tests have been conducted since the pandemic began, including 3,120 since the report Monday.

13,000 eligible youth still unvaccinated

More than 13,000 eligible New Brunswick youth remain unvaccinated, as COVID-19 case counts, hospitalizations and deaths continue to climb.

A total of 13,107 New Brunswickers aged 12 to 19 have yet to receive a single dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, as of Monday, said Department of Health spokesperson Bruce Macfarlane.

That's more than 19 per cent of that age group.

Seventy-six schools and 41 early learning and child-care facilities have had confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the school year on Sept. 7.

The total number of cases and a breakdown of how many of the cases involve students versus teachers and staff have not been released.

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development has said it's working with Public Health to "develop new approaches to address the present reality of the impact of COVID-19 in schools, including a wider use of rapid testing."

"Since the start of the pandemic, we have worked with partners across government to change and adapt our plans based on new research, our experiences and evolving situations," department spokesperson Flavio Nienow said in an emailed statement Monday. "This will continue to be our approach throughout the 2021-22 school year."

On Aug. 12, just 3½ weeks before school started, Public Health revealed nearly 19,000 eligible youth still weren't vaccinated and another 11,500 had received only one dose.

Russell had urged the parents and guardians of those children to get them vaccinated as soon as possible.

Schools COVID dashboard set to launch

With new cases of COVID-19 being confirmed in schools daily, the province is getting set to launch a dedicated COVID dashboard for schools.

It will be available on the Department of Education's Healthy and Safe Schools website "in the coming days," according to a news release Tuesday.

The department has also updated its outbreak management process, including creating a dedicated COVID-19 response team to "improve response time and reporting on outbreaks in schools," the release said.

No other details were provided.

The changes come as more positive cases were detected at six schools or child-care facilities across two health zones.

In the Moncton region, Zone 1, a positive case was confirmed at the following schools: École Sainte-Bernadette, Hillsborough School and Edith Cavell School, all located in Moncton.

A positive case was also confirmed at each of the following early learning and child-care facilities: Garderie Mon école - My School Child Care in Notre-Dame and at East Coast Kids Child Care & Learning Center in Hillsborough.

In the Bathurst region, Zone 6, a positive case was confirmed at Académie Assomption in Bathurst.

People who have been in close contact with a 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.

Booster doses for long-term-care residents begin

New Brunswick will begin administering a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine this week to residents in nursing homes and other communal settings who have already received two doses of a vaccine.

"There are some signs that protection against the delta variant could be waning in these individuals and a booster dose may improve their immune response," said Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell.

The recommended interval for a booster dose of mRNA vaccine is at least five months after the second dose. Seniors in long-term care homes were among the first to be vaccinated in New Brunswick.

The province announced it would be providing the booster doses on Sept. 29, following new advice from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.

In its updated guidance, NACI said residents of long-term care homes, 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."

Revived COVID committee to bring more transparency

Premier Blaine Higgs commended the opposition leaders Tuesday for agreeing to rejoin the all-party COVID cabinet committee and said the revived version will come with increased transparency.

Green Party Leader David Coon and Interim Liberal Leader Roger Melanson agreed to join Tuesday and People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin had previously agreed to rejoin.

"There were some issues that were raised about, you know, having more information directly from, let's say, the epidemiologists and their projections on where we're going, and what the peaks and valleys look like; more transparency in terms of what we could tell the public," Higgs told reporters.

"I think that that primarily has come from the concerns around privacy. But if other jurisdictions are releasing information, then we certainly should be prepared to release the same types of information. So that shouldn't be an issue," he said.

Coon said he decided to rejoin after speaking to Higgs last week about some "needed improvements" to the reconstituted committee.

"The Premier has committed to me that the amount of information shared with New Brunswickers about the fourth wave will be more about what they want to know, rather than what government officials think they need to know," he posted on Twitter.

"New Brunswickers expect their leaders to work together during crises, and we have a serious public health crisis to navigate. I will do my best to make a difference."

Melanson said he believes the committee is "patently a political foil for the premier." But given the increase in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths, and "the chaos" in schools, he feels it's important to be at the table.

"The crisis before us demands accountability, transparency and openness," he said in a statement.

Higgs said the level of engagement he witnessed at the committee's first meeting Tuesday was reminiscent of early last year "when we were working as one for the best interest of this province."

"I'm encouraged by it because at the end of the day, we all may wear different political colours, but we understand the urgency of the situation and we pull together."

Percentage of delta cases has more than doubled

The percentage of COVID-19 cases in New Brunswick screened as being presumptive delta variant cases more than doubled between the summer and the first two weeks of September, figures released by Public Health show.

A total of 622 samples were collected between Sept. 1 and Sept. 19, of which eight per cent were ineligible to be screened because "sequencing for variants requires a viral concentration higher than virus detection in order to obtain a strong result," said Department of Health spokesperson Bruce Macfarlane.

Of the remaining samples, 88 per cent were screened as presumptive for the highly transmissible delta variant, he said.

Twelve per cent were screened as the alpha variant and less than one per cent were screened as "other."

Between July 1 and Aug. 31, health workers collected 453 samples. Twenty per cent of these were ineligible to be screened, said Macfarlane.

Of the remaining samples, 37 per cent were screened as presumptive delta and 63 per cent were screened as alpha, he said.

These results are related to the preliminary screening and are not considered final, said Macfarlane. But Mathieu Chalifoux, lead COVID-19 epidemiologist with Public Health, previously confirmed more than 85 per cent of cases between Sept. 1 and 19 have been delta-related.

Delta is twice as infectious as the original strain and spreads exponentially, Dr. Gordon Dow, an infectious disease specialist with the Horizon Health Network, has said.

It also has a shorter incubation period — four days instead of six — which means less time to contact trace and isolate people and more rapid spread.

In an unvaccinated population, one person with the original strain would infect 27 people within a month, Dow said. Someone with the delta variant would infect 216 others within the same period.

New public exposure notices

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

Moncton region, Zone 1:

• Oct. 1 between 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. – The Fisherman (640 Main St., Shediac)
• Oct. 1 between 2:45 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. – Université de Moncton, Michel-Bastarache Law Library (18 Antonine Maillet Ave., Moncton)
• Sept. 29 to October 3 between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. – Walmart (477 Paul 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 and 28 between 1:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. – Walmart (477 Paul St., Dieppe)
• Sept. 24 between noon and 8:30 p.m. – Walmart (477 Paul St., Dieppe)
• Sept. 23 between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. – Walmart (477 Paul St., Dieppe)

Fredericton region, Zone 3:

• Sept. 24, 25, and 26 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. – STMR.36 BBQ and Social (Delta Fredericton) (225 Woodstock Rd., Fredericton)
• Sept. 19 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Pentecostal Church in Motion (1709 Route 101, Nasonworth)
• Sept. 19 between 10 a.m. and noon – Pentecostal Church in Motion (1709 Route 101, Nasonworth)

Edmundston region, Zone 4:

• 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. 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)
• Sept. 20, 24, and 27 between 8:15 a.m. and 4 p.m. – CCNB – Edmundston Campus (35 15-aout Rd., Edmundston)
• Sept. 25 between noon and 9 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska St., Grand Falls) 
• Sept. 24 between 11:30 a.m. and noon – Physio Proactive de Saint-Quentin (168 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 24 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. – Saint Quentin Co-Op (145 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 23 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Giant Tiger (200 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 22 between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska St., Grand Falls)

Bathurst region, Zone 6:

• Sept. 27, 28, and 29 between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Brick (1165 St. Anne St., Bathurst)
• Sept. 23 between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.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 weeks. For the full list beyond this time period, please visit the Government of New Brunswick's website.

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.

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. 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. 27 between 8:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. – Arts Pavilion, Room MAR217, Université de Moncton (55 Antonine Maillet Ave., Moncton)
• 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. 26 between 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. – J.K. Irving Centre Moncton Wildcats game (30 Evangéline St., Bouctouche)
• Sept. 26 between 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Costco (140 Granite Dr., Moncton)
• Sept. 26 between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. – Hockey Heroes Weekend Superior Propane Centre (55 Russ Howard Dr., Moncton)
• Sept. 25 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. – Hockey Heroes Weekend Superior Propane Centre (55 Russ Howard Dr., Moncton)
• Sept. 25 between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – Ardene (181 Trinity Dr., Moncton)
• Sept. 25 between 11 a.m. and noon – YMCA (30 War Ave., Moncton)
• Sept. 24 between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. – Hockey Heroes Weekend Superior Propane Centre (55 Russ Howard Dr., 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 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. – Maple Leaf Queen's Buffet (939 Mountain Rd., Moncton)
• Sept. 23 between 9:30 a.m. and noon – White Cab Taxi (981 Main St., Moncton)
• ​Sept. 22, 23, 24, and 25 – Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham (2515 Mountain Rd., 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. 21 between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. – St. Louis Bar and Grill (500 Kennedy Rd., Dieppe)
• Sept. 20 and Sept. 24 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. – Route 16 Diner (4335 Route 16, Malden)
• Sept. 20 and 23 between 5 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. – Tim Hortons (85 Harrisville Blvd., Moncton
• Sept. 20 and Sept. 21 between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. – Moncton Hospital obstetrics unit (135 Macbeath 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)
• 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 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)

Saint John region, Zone 2:

• Oct. 1 between 10:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. – Guardian Pharmacy (101 King St., St. Stephen)
• 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. 27 and 28 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. – Guardian Pharmacy (101 King St., St. Stephen)
• Sept. 26 between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – Centre Point Victory Church (101 Wilton St., Saint John)
• Sept. 26 between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. – Saint John Regional Hospital, emergency department (400 University Ave., Saint John)
• Sept. 24 between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. – Circle K (707 Eagle Rock Rd., Welsford)
• Sept. 23 between 4:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Circle K (707 Eagle Rock Rd., Welsford)
• Sept. 22 between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – Forever Healthy Allergy Elimination Centre (1040 Main St., Sussex)
• Sept. 21 between 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Sobeys (1 Plaza Ave., Saint John)
• Sept. 21 between noon and 3 p.m. – The S. O. Mehan & Son Funeral Home (23 Main St., St. Stephen)
• Sept. 21 between 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – Michaels (80 McAllister Dr. Saint John)
• September 21 – Kent (797 Millennium Dr., Rothesay)
• Sept. 21 – Thai Express (533 Westmorland Rd., Saint John)
• Sept. 21 – Home Depot (55 Depot Crt., Saint John)
• Sept. 21 – Alcool NB Liquor (40 East Point Way, Saint John)
• Sept. 21 – Sobeys (40 East Point Way, Saint John)
• 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. 19 – Center Point Victory Church (101 Wilton St., Saint John)
• Sept. 19 – Kings Church (332 Hampton Rd., Quispamsis)
• Sept. 19 – Dairy Queen (499 Rothesay Ave., Saint John)
• Sept. 19 – Kent (85 Consumers Dr., Saint John)
• Sept. 19 – Dan's Country Market (229 Churchill Blvd., Saint John)

Fredericton region, Zone 3:

• Sept. 27 between 10 a.m. and noon – Shoppers Drug Mart (3710 Connell St., Woodstock)
• Sept. 26 between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. – Circle K (1095 Broadway St., Woodstock)
• Sept. 26 between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. – The Corner Store (122 Houlton Rd., Woodstock)
• Sept. 26 between noon and 2 p.m. – Canadian Tire (388 Connell St., Woodstock)
• Sept. 26 between 10 a.m. and noon – Truth Temple Inc (2930 Williamstown Rd., Centreville)
• Sept. 25 between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. – Scott's Independent Grocer (24 Columbus St., Perth-Andover)
• Sept. 25 and September 24 between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Walmart (430 Connell St., Woodstock)
• Sept. 25 between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (350 Connell St., Woodstock)
• Sept. 24 between 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Walmart (430 Connell St., Woodstock)
• Sept. 24 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Fredericton CO-OP (170 Doak Rd., Fredericton)
• Sept. 24 between 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (471 Smythe St., Fredericton)
• Sept. 23 between 8 a.m. and 12 noon – Service New Brunswick (200 Kings St., Woodstock)
• Sept. 23 between 10 a.m. and 12 noon – Florenceville Veterinary Clinic (55 Allison Rd., Riverbank)
• Sept. 23 between 10 a.m. and noon – Shoppers Drug Mart (3710 Connell St., Woodstock)
• Sept. 23 between 10 a.m. and noon – Glenn's Grocery (9146 Main St., Woodstock)
• Sept. 23 between 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Costco (25 Wayne Squibb Blvd., Fredericton)
• Sept. 23 between 2:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. – Walmart (430 Connell St., Woodstock)
• Sept. 23 and 24 – Days Inn Hotel (60 Brayson Blvd., Oromocto)
• Sept. 23 – Corrective Health Services (435 Brookside Dr., Fredericton)
• Sept. 22 between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. –  STMR.36 BBQ and Social (Delta Fredericton) (225 Woodstock Rd., Fredericton)
• Sept. 22 between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. – Costco (25 Wayne Squibb Blvd., Fredericton)
• Sept. 22 and 23 between 8 a.m. and noon – Gateway Dental Centre (22 Commerce Dr., Oromocto)
• Sept. 21 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. – RustiCo (304 King St., Fredericton)
• Sept. 21, 22, and 23 – Delta Hotels by Marriott (225 Woodstock Rd., Fredericton)
• 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. 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. 19 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.– Cannon's Cross Pub (15 Riverside Dr., Fredericton)

Edmundston region, Zone 4:

• Oct. 1 between 1:30 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. – Kent (772 Victoria St., Edmundston)
• Sept. 30 between 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. – Bonichoix (4 Saint-Camille Rd., Kedgwick)
• 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. 26 between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Eglise Assomption communion class (355 Chapel St., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 26 between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Shell (443 Tobique Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 26 between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – Saint Quentin Co-Op (145 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 24 and Sept. 25 between 3 p.m. and 11 p.m. – Shell (443 Tobique Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 25 between 11:35 a.m. and noon – Walmart (494 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 25 between 11 a.m. and noon – Grand Falls Farmers' Market (68 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 25 between 10:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – The Red Barn (10549 Route 144, Saint André)
• Sept. 25 between 9:25 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. – Giant Tiger (200 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 25 between 8:45 a.m. and 9:20 a.m. – Simply for Life (91 Tobique Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 25 between 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Hill Top Restaurant (131 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 17 to 25 – Bernier Meat Shop (40 Industrielle Rd., Saint Leonard)
• 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)
• Between Sept. 20 and 24 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. – Archway Insurance (166 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 25 between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Canadian Tire (590 Victoria Rd., Edmundston)
• Sept. 24 between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 24 and Sept. 23 between 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – voting station Best Western Edmundston (280 Hébert Blvd., Edmundston)
• Sept. 23 between 4:45 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Giant Tiger (200 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 23 between 7:15 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Marché Bonichoix - J.M. & C. Dugas Ltée (4 Saint-Camille 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 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – Sports Experts (180 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• ept. 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. 22 between 1:15 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. – Walmart (805 Victoria St., Edmundston)
• Sept. 22 between 12:45 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. – IGA extra Supermarché (580 Victoria St., Edmundston)
• Sept. 21 between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. – Bonichoix (4 Saint-Camille Rd., Kedgwick)
• Sept. 21 between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – Greco Pizza (10 Mahsus Crt., Edmundston)
• Sept. 20 and 21 between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. – Royal Bank (305 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 21 between 4:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. – McDonald's (230 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 21 between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 21 between 2:45 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. – Vaccination clinic, E.P. Sénéchal Centre (60 Ouellette 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 6:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Jean-Daigle Centre (85 15-aout Rd., Edmundston)
• Sept. 20 between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 20 between 4:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. – Dollarama (180 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 20 between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska 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. 20 between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – Green Diamond Equipment (67 Ouellette Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. – Tim Hortons (54 Canada St., Saint-Quentin)
• Sept. 19 between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. – Le Grand Saut (155 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
• September 19 between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Pizza Delight (115 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 19 between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. – Boston Pizza (164 Hébert Blvd., Edmundston)
• Sept. 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 noon and 5 p.m. – Animalerie R L Tropical (721 Victoria Rd., Edmundston)
• Sept. 19 between 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – Jean Coutu (276 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 2:15 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Les Brasseurs du Petit-Sault (45 de l'Église Rd., Edmundston)
• 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 3 p.m. – Jean-Daigle Centre (85 15-aout Rd., Edmundston)
• Sept. 19 between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Dollarama (180 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. – Canadian Tire (590 Victoria St., Edmundston)
• 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 1:15 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. – Sports Experts (33 Canada St., Edmundston)
• 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 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – Pür & Simple (30 de l'Église Rd., Edmundston)
• 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. 19 between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – Pizza Delight (462 Madawaska Road, Grand Falls)
• Sept. 13 between 3 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. – Jean-Daigle Centre (85 15-aout Rd., Edmundston)
• Sept. 13 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. – Jean-Daigle Centre (85 15-aout Rd., Edmundston)

Campbellton region, Zone 5:

• Oct. 1 – East Coast Industrial (1 Boom Rd., Atholville)
• Sept. 29 and 30 – East Coast Industrial (1 Boom Rd., Atholville)
• Sept. 29 between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.  – McIntyre Convenience (230 Chaleur St., Charlo)
• Sept. 27 and 28 – East Coast Industrial (1 Boom Rd., Atholville)
• Sept. 22, 25, and 26 – Pseudio Boutique (312 Val D'Amour Rd., Campbellton)
• Sept. 24 between 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – Osprey Truck Stop (2 Martin St., Eel River Bar First Nation)
• Sept. 23 between 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – Claire France (312 Val D'Amour, Campbellton)
• Sept. 23 between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.  – Dooly's (81 Roseberry St., 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)

Bathurst region, Zone 6:

• Sept. 29 between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. – Vaccination clinic, K.C. Irving Centre (850 St. Anne St., Bathurst)
• Sept. 25 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Vaccination clinic, K.C. Irving Centre (850 St. Anne St., Bathurst)
• 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)

Miramichi region, Zone 7:

• Sept. 30 between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m. – Subway (186 King St., Miramichi)
• 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)
• Sept. 26 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. – Subway (186 King St., Miramichi)
• Sept. 24 between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. – Subway (186 King St., Miramichi)
• Sept. 22, 23, and 24 between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. – Guillevin International (318 Dalton Ave., 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.