N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 2 more deaths, 75 new cases, up to 64 hospitalizations by Friday possible

COVID-19 has claimed the lives of two more New Brunswickers, and 75 more people have become infected with the virus, Public Health reported Monday.

A person in their 80s and a person 90 or over, both from the Moncton region, Zone 1, have died "as a result of COVID-19," according to a news release.

This brings the total number of COVID-related deaths in the province since the start of the pandemic to 68.

Up to 64 people could be hospitalized by Friday, according to newly released projections.

That's based on the "high scenario," Department of Health spokesperson Bruce Macfarlane said in an email.

As of Monday, 49 people are in hospital with the virus, up from 45 on Sunday, with 21 in an intensive care unit, an increase of one.

No one under the age of 19 is in hospital, the release said.

Of the hospitalized cases, 38 are unvaccinated, three are partially vaccinated and eight are fully vaccinated.

On Sept. 24, Public Health's lead COVID-19 epidemiologist Mathieu Chalifoux said during a technical briefing that between 35 and 40 more people were expected to be hospitalized "at any one time" within two weeks.

That was the "medium-risk scenario" for hospitalizations, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell revealed last week. She did not provide the high-risk number.

"The high scenario would represent 56-64 beds occupied by October 8th," Macfarlane said Monday.

CBC News has asked repeatedly in recent weeks for the province's projections for new cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

Russell has previously said the province is on a trajectory to record 100 new cases a day, every day.

Premier Blaine Higgs said the two latest deaths are "a tragic reminder that our situation in New Brunswick remains very serious."

But he remains confident active cases and hospitalizations will "decline soon, as long as we all do our part and follow the rules in place under the mandatory order."

These include people limiting their contacts to their household plus consistent 20 contacts, or "steady 20," businesses and events where people gather or exercise, ensuring all employees are fully vaccinated or are continuously masked and tested regularly, and physical distancing at businesses or events where proof of vaccination is not required.

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is also 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."

"We will have more to share on this in the coming days," department spokesperson Flavio Nienow said in an emailed statement.

Since Friday, new cases of COVID-19 have been detected at 37 more schools or child-care facilities across six of the seven health zones. That includes 11 schools and 12 child-care facilities that were not "previously impacted."

A total of 74 schools and 40 early learning and child-care facilities have now had confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the school year on Sept. 7.

"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," said Nienow. "This will continue to be our approach throughout the 2021-22 school year."

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

Cases with unknown origin at all-time high

The number of cases of unknown origin has reached an all-time high in New Brunswick. There are 1,183 cases listed as being "under investigation" under the "case origin" section of the COVID-19 dashboard.

Department of Health spokesperson Bruce Macfarlane said to expedite case notification, "calls are being used to notify contacts to isolate within 24 hours with contact tracing personnel following up [at] a later date to investigate."

This has resulted in the "growing list of individuals under investigation in the province," he said in an emailed statement.

The previous record high for unresolved cases came in June, when just 326 cases were under investigation.

At the time, Macfarlane said that in order to avoid future backlogs, if "no evident sources are found within a reasonable time period, cases will be classified per the best available knowledge at that point in time."

He did not define "reasonable period."

Roughly 89 per cent of the cases currently under investigation were reported after Sept. 1, which corresponds to the increasing case count, said Macfarlane.

About 36 per cent were reported in the Moncton region, Zone 1, and 28 per cent in the Fredericton region, Zone 3.

The last time there was a large number of cases under investigation about 15 per cent of them were deemed community transmission. Asked whether community transmission is suspected again, Macfarlane replied, "With 759 active cases in New Brunswick today, there is without doubt, community transmission in Zones 1, 3 and 4." 

Community transmission means officials are unable to trace the source of the infection.

Only 83 cases have been deemed community transmission so far

Close contacts account for the bulk of the cases at 2,711, followed by travel, at 603.

Testing delays to be resolved Tuesday

A backlog for COVID-19 testing at assessment centres in the Fredericton region, Zone 3, is expected to be resolved by the end of the day Tuesday, according to Public Health.

Delays for testing at other centres across the province have already been resolved, it said in a news release Monday.

Appointments are being booked between 24 and 48 hours in advance, with extended hours to increase capacity at some centres.

As of last Wednesday, people in some health zones were waiting an average of four to five days to get an appointment, Department of Health Bruce Macfarlane had said.

On average, it was taking another five business days to get the results, unless a case was marked as high priority, in which case the average turnaround time was 24 to 48 hours.

The Fredericton region has 188 of the province's 767 active cases.

A total of 473,594 tests have been conducted since the pandemic began, including 1,810 on Sunday.

Church under investigation

Justice and Public Safety officials visited eight faith venues over the weekend to check for compliance with COVID-19 regulations, according to a department spokesperson.

Three venues had moved to an online service and four were found to be compliant, said Geoffrey Downey.

"An investigation into one location is ongoing," he said in an emailed statement. No other details have been released.

The government announced on Saturday that Public Safety officers would be conducting spot checks at churches.

"A number of churches in the province have been the site of public exposures recently. While the vast majority of churches have been following the rules of the mandatory order, concerns remain that not all are," it said in a news release.

Public Safety officers will be out this weekend conducting spot checks of churches to ensure the mandatory order rules are being followed. Fines will be given to institutions and individuals who break the mandatory order rules."

In an update Sunday, the province announced, "Early reports from officers conducting the checks show compliance has been good."

Group calls for 10 paid sick days

New Brunswick's Common Front for Social Justice is calling for the province to legislate 10 paid sick days for people who have to miss work because of the pandemic.

Co-ordinator Abram Lutes says with the large number of COVID-19 cases in the province right now, some people are being forced to stay home for eight days with no pay waiting for COVID tests and results.

There is a benefit available called the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB), but Lutes says it can be a cumbersome process and takes a while to get any money.

And he noted it doesn't help everyone.

"Say you have two or more workers who are in a household and one of them is exposed and ordered to self-isolate, that household is going to have to self-isolate with them, potentially," Lutes told CBC's Information Morning Moncton. 

"CRSB doesn't cover that kind of situation … so that means lost wages for the whole household, which can have a really negative ripple effect."

Lutes says the lack of support may create a "disincentive" for workers to follow the restrictions.

"Especially if you're getting up to the end of the month, rent, utilities, other bills are becoming due, you might need that extra shift or … that week of work, to be able to pay the bills."

His group wants to see 10 employer-paid sick days added to the Employment Standards Act.

Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour spokesperson Geneviève Mallet-Chiasson said there are no current plans to make changes to the act with respect to sick leave.

She said the sick leave provision allows a leave of absence, without pay, for up to five days during a twelve-month calendar period in which a person has been employed for more than 90 calendar days.

In addition to sick leave, the government recently amended the act by adding emergency leave provisions, noted Mallet-Chiasson.

"This amendment allowed for the creation of a new regulation referred to as the COVID-19 Emergency Leave; this new leave gives all employees who are covered by the Employment Standards Act the right to a leave of absence related to COVID-19," she said in an emailed statement.

Breakdown of new cases

The 75 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed Monday put the province's total active case count at 767.

Of the new cases, 71 per cent are either not vaccinated or partially vaccinated, Public Health said.

Forty-eight, or 64 per cent, are unvaccinated, five, or seven per cent, are partially vaccinated, and 22, or 29 per cent, are fully vaccinated, according to a news release.

It did not say how many of the unvaccinated cases are under 12 and too young to be vaccinated or can't be vaccinated for medical or other reasons.

But daily tests by age group data on the provincial dashboard shows 14 of the new cases are under age 10 and another 11 cases are aged 10 to 19.

Here is a breakdown of the new cases:

Moncton region, Zone 1, 37 cases:

Sixteen people 19 or under

Two people 20 to 29

Seven people 30 to 39

Four people 40 to 49

Three people 50 to 59

Three people 60 to 69

Two people 70 to 79

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

Saint John region, Zone 2, four cases:

A person 19 or under

A person 30 to 39

Two people 50 to 59

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

Fredericton region, Zone 3, seven cases:

A person 19 or under

Two people 20 to 29

A person 30 to 39

A person 40 to 49

A person 80 to 89

A person 90 or over

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

Edmundston region, Zone 4, 18 cases:

Five people 19 or under

Three people 20 to 29

Two people 30 to 39

A person 40 to 49

Two people 50 to 59

Four people 60 to 69

A person 70 to 79

Fourteen of these cases are under investigation and the other four are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Campbellton region, Zone 5, six cases:

A person 19 or under

A person 20 to 29

A person 30 to 39

Two people 40 to 49

A person 80 to 89

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

Bathurst region, Zone 6, three cases:

A person 19 or under

A person 60 to 69

A person 80 to 89

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

New Brunswick has had 4,580 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, with 3,744 recoveries so far.

New cases in schools, child-care facilities

Here is a breakdown of the new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in schools or child-care facilities since Friday.

In the Moncton region, Zone 1, a case was confirmed at the following schools: École l'Odyssée; Queen Elizabeth School; Forest Glen School; Hillsborough Elementary, all located in Moncton and École Notre-Dame.

A new case or cases have been confirmed at the following previously impacted schools: Beaverbrook School; Edith Cavell School; Birchmount School; Harrison Trimble High School, Moncton High School; all located in Moncton and Riverview East School.

A case or cases have also been confirmed at the following early learning and child-care facilities: Country Kids Day Care in Riverview; Le Garoussi in Moncton; Garderie Univers d'enfants II in Moncton; Institut Apprenti-Sage in Dieppe; and Club Ste-Thérèse 2 in Dieppe.

In the Saint John region, Zone 2, a case was confirmed at the following schools: Fairvale Elementary School in Rothesay; and Simonds High School and Forest Hill School, both located in Saint John.

A new case has been confirmed at Sussex Elementary School, which was previously impacted.

A case or cases have also been confirmed at the following early learning and child-care facilities: Janie's Kid Zone in Quispamsis; and Garderie au Bourgeonnet and Garderie à petits pas, both located in Saint John.

In the Fredericton region, Zone 3, a case was confirmed at École Arc-en-Ciel in Oromocto.

A new case or cases have been confirmed at the following previously impacted schools: Donald Fraser Memorial School in Plaster Rock and Townsview School in Woodstock.

In the Edmundston region, Zone 4, a new case or cases have been confirmed at the following schools, which were previously impacted: École Mgr-Martin in Saint-Quentin, École Marie-Gaétane in Kedgwick and École Élémentaire Sacré-Cœur in Grand Falls.

A case or cases have been confirmed at the following early learning and child-care facilities: CPE Les Poussins in Clair; Garderie les Ribambelles en folies in Saint-Léonard and Garderie les Ptits amis de Amy in Grand Falls.

A new case has also been confirmed at Centre Éducatif Les petits pas in Saint-Quentin, which was previously impacted.

In the Campbellton region, Zone 5, a case was confirmed at École aux Quatre Vents in Dalhousie.

A new positive case was confirmed at Dalhousie Regional High School, which was previously impacted.

A new case has also been confirmed at Garderie Dragon Day Care in Atholville which was previously impacted.

In the Bathurst region, Zone 6, a case was confirmed at École François-Xavier Daigle in Allardville.

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, Public Health 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

Rapid tests could 'put a lid' on transmission, says epidemiologist

If New Brunswick wants to get its COVID-19 case count under control, a University of Toronto epidemiologist believes rapid testing in schools is the answer.

If it were up to him, Colin Furness said, he would have rapid testing done in schools twice a week, particularly for students under 12 who can't get vaccinated.

"Rapid testing is a great way to prevent the economy from shutting down," he said during an interview with Information Morning Fredericton.

The rapid tests would allow schools to quickly determine which children are infected with COVID-19. It would then allow Public Health to contact infected families, who could then quickly be treated.

This would "keep a lid" on school cases, he said, and make schools safer.

Premier Blaine Higgs said last week that New Brunswick is developing a COVID-19 testing policy for schools and the education system that will use rapid tests.

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

Although rapid testing wouldn't catch every case of COVID-19, Furness said it would eliminate spread.

"If everyone tested themselves every morning, you wouldn't have transmission."

Rapid testing should also be offered to essential workers, he said, such as people working in grocery stores, and to people working in businesses such as restaurants and anyone who has been exposed.

"Anyone who wants it," he said.

The situation in New Brunswick, which saw its largest single-day rise in cases and deaths to date on Saturday with 140 new cases and four deaths, "seems to be getting into the out-of-control territory," Furness said.

The province doesn't need to shut down, he said, but has to get the word out to more people about vaccination.

If the vaccination rate increases, case numbers could drop by November or December, according to Furness.

"The higher you get, the faster COVID stops circulating," he said. 

Many schools close across N.B.

A rise in COVID-19 cases forced a number of schools across the province to stay closed on Monday. 

In the Anglophone East school district, Beaverbrook School, Harrison Trimble High School and Tantramar Regional High School will have operational days Monday through Wednesday, where students will be at home and staff will report to school.

Monday was also an operational day for Birchmount School, Edith Cavell School and the Therapeutic Education Support Site, Forest Glen School, Moncton High School, Queen Elizabeth School, and Riverview East School with students at home and staff reporting to school.

Students at Port Elgin Regional School will continue with at-home learning for another week.

In the Anglophone South school district, Simonds High and Forest Hills schools had learning from home Monday.

Superintendent Zoe Watson said the closures allow for contact tracing, which includes identifying any specialty staff, supply teachers, or others who may have been exposed.

"We have learned that when the bus is involved, it is more complex because some of our buses to go to multiple schools," she told CBC's Information Morning Saint John.

"So if our positive case has been on a school bus and that bus has gone to a couple of schools, then that can involve other principals and other families as well."

Parents are encouraged to drive their children to school if possible to reduce the number of students riding the bus, said Watson.

Schools are minimizing the mixing of students inside the buildings, providing learning outdoors whenever possible and continuing with their cleaning protocols, she said.

In Anglophone West, Donald Fraser Memorial moved to distance learning, and distance learning continued for Hartland Community School, and John Caldwell School.

The number of COVID-19 cases is on the rise in the Hartland area, and the school district is monitoring schools there, said David McTimoney, superintendent of the Anglophone West School District.

"We're hopeful this time of distance learning will contribute to a reduction in cases," he said.

High school students are well-equipped for distance learning, having done it all last year. Teachers are using several ways to reach younger students.

"In middle school, there are times when that electronic connection can occur because a number of families do have technology at home, where schools are able to loan technology, so that there's some efforts made there, and even into the upper elementary grades," McTimoney said.

"Sometimes with those younger grades, there's a need for packages to be put together, or a connection through parents and email."

In the Francophone South School District, these schools were also closed Monday:

•  École L'Odyssée in Moncton
•  École Notre-Dame in Notre-Dame
•  Ecole Arc-en-ciel in Oromocto

Students in Perth-Andover have been learning from home for two weeks after more than 30 cases were reported at the community's three schools. Students there were to return to school Monday.

"We had a conversation last week and felt the time was right for students to return," McTimoney said.

In the Anglophone West School District, McTimoney said, 94 per cent of permanent staff are vaccinated, which is more than 3,000 people fully vaccinated out of 3,200.

"My favourite number would be 100 per cent," he said.

Closure of labour and birth unit continues

The temporary closure of the labour and birth unit at the Upper River Valley Hospital because of staffing challenges created by COVID-19 will continue until Oct. 19, at 7 a.m., the Horizon Health Network announced Monday.

All pregnant women who would normally deliver their babies at the hospital in Waterville will need to travel instead to the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton, which is just over an hour's drive southeast.

The temporary closure was announced on Sept. 24 and was originally scheduled to last until Sept. 28 but was extended until Monday.

"The reason for this temporary change is the continued need to adjust staffing to provide care for COVID-19 patients at Horizon's Upper River Valley Hospital," Horizon said in a release.

All expectant mothers who are 35 weeks pregnant or more have been contacted by nursing staff, according to the release.

Atlantic COVID roundup

Nova Scotia reported 86 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, including cases discovered since the last update on Friday. The province's active caseload is now 231.

Newfoundland and Labrador reported 15 new cases and has 160 active cases.

Prince Edward Island reported three new cases on Friday. The province has 11 active cases.

New public exposure notices

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

Moncton region, Zone 1:

• Sept. 20 and 23 between 5 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. – Tim Hortons (85 Harrisville Blvd., 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)
• 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. 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)

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. 26 between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – Saint Quentin Co-Op (145 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 22 between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – Sports Experts (180 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• 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 2:45 p.m. and 3:15 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. 19 between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. – Boston Pizza (164 Hébert Blvd., Edmundston)
• 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 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. – Canadian Tire (590 Victoria St., Edmundston)
• 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 12:30 p.m. – Pür & Simple (30 de l'Église Rd., Edmundston)
• 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)

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)

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. 20 and Sept. 24 between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. – Route 16 Diner (4335 Route 16, Malden)
• Sept. 21 between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. – St. Louis Bar and Grill (500 Kennedy Rd., Dieppe) 
• Sept. 20 and Sept. 21 between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. – Moncton Hospital obstetrics unit (135 Macbeath Ave., Moncton)
• Sept. 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:

• 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)
• 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)

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:

• 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. 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 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (344 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 22 between 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. – Bonichoix (4 Camille St., Kedgwick)
• Sept. 21 between 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 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 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 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Jean-Daigle Centre (85 15-aout Rd., Edmundston)
• Sept. 19 between 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – Jean Coutu (276 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. – Le Grand Saut (155 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between noon and 5 p.m. – Animalerie R L Tropical (721 Victoria Rd., Edmundston)
• Sept. 19 between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. – Tim Hortons (54 Canada St., Saint-Quentin)
• September 19 between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Pizza Delight (115 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• 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 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Dollarama (180 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Giant Tiger (200 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 10 a.m. and noon – Shoppers Drug Mart (180 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. – Giant Tiger (200 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. – Foodland (535 Everard H. Daigle Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Sept. 19 between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – Pizza Delight (462 Madawaska Road, Grand Falls)

Campbellton region, Zone 5:

• 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. 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.