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The Saint John region, Zone 2, will revert to the orange phase of recovery starting at midnight on Friday evening after seven new cases have been detected.
Premier Blaine Higgs warned that if people don’t follow the rules of the orange phase, they could see a further rollback to the red phase, where COVID-19 measures are the strictest.
Dr Jennifer Russell, the chief health medical officer, announced the return to orange at the second COVID-19 briefing in two days, where she also announced there were nine new cases in New Brunswick.
Two of these are located in the Moncton region, Zone 1, which was reset to the orange phase on Thursday.
Higgs and Russell have repeatedly stressed the importance of public cooperation, pleading with residents to follow the rules regarding large gatherings, single-family bubbles and preventative measures.
“If we can’t get these numbers under control quickly, we may need to get back to the red level,” Higgs said. “You have to stay in the single-family bubble – people who live in the same house with you.”
Russell noted that the single household bubble can be extended to caregivers or a close family member who lives alone and needs support.
“The goal is to keep your circle of contacts small,” he said.
Dr Jennifer Russell announced Friday that Zone 2, the Saint John region, will return to the orange recovery phase. 1:55
Nine new cases reported, 600 self-isolated people
Public health has reported nine new cases of COVID-19, all under investigation.
There are currently about “at least” 600 people self-isolating in New Brunswick from several cases that have been tracked by contacts, Dr Jennifer Russell said Friday. Of these 600 people, about 300 are in the San Giovanni region.
The seven new cases in the Saint John region (Zone 2) are:
- an individual from 60 to 69; is
The two cases in the Moncton region (Zone 1) are:
- an individual under 19; is,
The number of confirmed cases in New Brunswick is 401 and 343 are cured. There have been six deaths and the number of active cases is 51, with one person in hospital.
To date, 114,020 tests have been conducted, including 1,006 on Thursday.
Warnings and new rules on large gatherings
The large gatherings were chosen out of special caution during the government’s COVID briefing on Friday.
“Too often we have seen COVID-19 spread through contacts at casual social gatherings,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell. “People need to have a higher level of comfort by saying no to going to these gatherings.”
Orange stage rallies
- Residents must remain within a single-family bubble.
- No informal indoor meetings are allowed beyond this single home bubble.
- Outdoor meetings with a physical distance of 25 people or less are allowed.
- Formal gatherings of up to 25 people allowed for weddings, funerals and religious services.
- Places of faith can host services with up to 50 people, but masks are mandatory.
- Restaurant dining rooms can remain open, but a single family bubble must be maintained.
A full list of orange phase rules is available on the government website.
Meetings in the yellow phase
- Informal indoor gatherings of up to 20 people are allowed, close contacts should be limited to a consistent list of family and friends.
- Hold uncontrolled outdoor meetings with physical distances of 50 people or less.
- Occupation in controlled indoor or outdoor environments must be maintained at levels that allow for physical distance.
A full list of yellow phase rules is available on the government website.
More rigorous inspection and enforcement
Residents in Saint John and Moncton regions were informed that police officers, peace officers and inspectors of public health will be in zones 1 and 2 to ensure that the orange phase is followed.
“We will monitor more closely and issue fines,” Premier Blaine Higgs said during the COVID-19 briefing on Friday. “We will never catch everyone or try, but we really want everyone to help us here … because the health system is at risk.”
The Fredericton Police Force released a statement on Friday saying it is immediately stepping up inspections of public meetings and warned violations could lead to a minimum fine of $ 292.50.
Fredericton is in the yellow phase, but the force said he is acting “with the safety of all Frederictonians and the surrounding areas in mind.”
Legislature not equipped to run virtually
Legislative Assembly members struggled Friday with the fact that the legislature has no way to organize hybrid, partly virtual sessions to welcome MLAs from areas under the COVID-19 orange phase.
“The technology exists. It just needs to be implemented,” liberal leader Roger Melanson told reporters.
He and Green Party leader David Coon said they promoted the idea of the assembly adopting a similar system in the House of Commons since April. It allows some members to participate in person and others to participate virtually.
But it still hasn’t happened.
“I don’t know what the robbery was. I know he’s not the premier … He wants to see it as badly as any of us in the legislative assembly.”
The delay became an issue on Friday as the MLAs struggled over how to manage Zone 1 and 2 by both moving into the orange phase of COVID-19 restrictions.
A total closure of the legislature would throw a key on the government’s agenda.
Capital budgets are usually introduced in December to give contractors time to assess how many workers and materials they need to line up for the upcoming summer construction season.
Under current Orange Phase guidelines, MLAs from an affected area could travel to the capital because the legislator is considered their place of work. Business travel is still permitted under restrictions.
But on Friday, the MLAs spent more than an hour debating whether to participate next week even if the rules allow.
There was no final decision. The Legislative Administration Committee will meet on Tuesday to discuss this further.
Premier Blaine Higgs said the legislature could operate with a small number of MLAs from outside the affected areas, as it did in the spring. “This is an ongoing debate right now,” he said.
He said the only other option would be to suspend the meeting for at least two weeks.
Premier Blaine Higgs and public health announced on Friday that Saint John is returning to the orange phase of the recovery. 3:45
Epidemic in the Shannex nursing home in Saint John
Public health has declared an outbreak at Shannex Tucker Hall, a nursing home in Saint John.
Following a confirmed case of COVID-19 on Thursday, public health has launched an investigation at the facility. Contact tracing is ongoing, and today officials will conduct tests on all residents and staff at the facility, Dr Jennifer Russell said Friday.
Shannex confirmed late that this was a positive test employee and said she was working with the public health and Shannex COVID-19 response team.
Two nursing homes in Saint John close their doors as a precaution
Loch Lomond Villa and Rocmaura Nursing Home announced on Friday that they will close their doors to visitors as a precaution, effective immediately.
In a Facebook post, Loch Lomond cited concerns about ongoing cases in the Moncton area and possible exposures in the Saint John region.
He noted that virtual visits would still be possible via Zoom or FaceTime and said activities would resume as soon as public health warned that it is safe to do so.
Snowbirds advised staying home
Premier Blaine Higgs and Dr. Jennifer Russell got a quick tip when asked whether New Brunswick’s snowbirds, residents who travel south during the winter months, should risk the trip this year.
“A pandemic is not the time to make non-essential travel plans. Period,” Russell said.
“I would certainly agree,” Higgs said. “If we were looking for where is the safest place to stay, I don’t think I would choose Florida … I would hold off and wait for a vaccine.”
Reports of packed grocery stores in Saint John
There have been several social media reports of packed grocery stores in Saint John ahead of the Friday afternoon briefing news.
“Hearing Saint Johners is in place to stock up on groceries and essentials, most people assume a color change,” wrote Steven Clark on Twitter.
Potential public exposure notices
A roundup of recent notices of possible public exposure listed on the province’s website, with the dates the potential exposure occurred:
Moncton
- November 6-12 Fit 4 Less, 165 Main St. in Moncton (various times between 5pm and midnight)
- November 6 – GoodLife Fitness at Moncton Junction Village Gym (8 – 9:30, 19 – 20:30)
- 6-10 November Aldo Shoes at Moncton Champlain Mall (various times between 9:30 in the morning and 7:30 in the evening)
- November 6, 9, 10 and 12: fitness room at CEPS Louis-J. Robichaud, 40 Antonine-Maillet Ave. (various evening times from 5.15pm to 7.30pm)
- November 8 Tandoori Zaika Cuisine and Bar at 196 Robinson St. in Moncton (1:00 and 2:00).
- November 9 GoodLife Fitness at Moncton Junction Village Gym (8:30 pm and 10:00 pm)
- November 15 Air Canada Flight 8954 – from Winnipeg to Toronto arrived at 8:16 pm
- November 15 Air Canada Flight 8918 – Toronto to Moncton arrived at 11:43 pm
- November 17 Keg Steakhouse and Bar, 576 Main St. (7.45pm & 8.30pm)
Saint John
- October 24 Air Canada Flight 322 – from Calgary to Montreal on October 24
- October 24 Air Canada Flight 8792 – Montreal to Saint John on October 24 at 9:12 PM
- November 14 Five and Dime Bar (12:30 and 2:30) and Freddie’s Pizza (2:30 and 3:00)
- November 16 Big Tide Brewing Company, 47 Princess St. (12:30 pm and 2:00 pm)
- November 16 Java Moose, 84 Prince William St. (2pm and 2.30pm)
What to do if you have a symptom
People concerned that they may have symptoms of COVID-19 can take an online self-assessment test.
Public health states that symptoms shown by people with COVID-19 include:
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A fever above 38 C.
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A new cough or a worsening of chronic cough.
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Burning throat.
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Rhinorrhea.
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Headache.
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New onset of fatigue, body aches, diarrhea, loss of sense of taste or smell.
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Difficult breathing.
In children, symptoms also included purple markings on the fingers and toes.
People with any of these symptoms should:
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