Key takeaways:
- On Wednesday, New Brunswick reported 779 new COVID-19 cases and 65 recoveries based on PCR results.
- Starting Saturday, Jan. 8, PCR-confirmed test numbers and other data updates will be available exclusively on the COVID-19 dashboard, according to the province.
Based on information from PCR tests, New Brunswick reported 779 new COVID-19 cases and 65 recoveries on Wednesday.
According to the province, PCR-confirmed test numbers and other data updates will be viewable only on the COVID-19 dashboard starting Saturday, Jan. 8. They will not be included in future press releases.
“We know that the PCR cases we’ll be reporting aren’t a true reflection of the severity of the situation,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, the health department’s chief medical officer.
“We must remember that COVID-19 is all around us and that we must adhere to public health measures, such as getting fully vaccinated and receiving a booster when appropriate.”
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The following are the new cases that were announced on Wednesday:
- There are 264 in the Moncton area (Zone 1)
- The city of Saint John has 202 residents (Zone 2)
- In the Fredericton area, there are 93. (Zone 3)
- In Edmundston, there are 70 people (Zone 4)
- There are 24 in the Campbellton area (Zone 5)
- In the Bathurst region, there are 47. (Zone 6)
- The Miramichi region has 79. (Zone 7)
According to health officials, 59 people have been admitted to hospitals due to COVID-19, with 16 of them in intensive care.
Among those admitted to the hospital:
- There are 41 people over the age of 60 in the group.
- Ten people are using a ventilator.
- No one below the age of 19 is admitted to the hospital.
3 more individuals have died due to COVID-19, as per public health officials. In Zone 2 (Saint John region), one person is in their 50s and another in their 70s, and in Zone 3, one person is in their 50s and another in their 70s (Fredericton region).
“Unvaccinated people continue to be disproportionately affected by the high number of people admitted to hospitals and admitted to intensive care units. According to a public health release, the COVID-19 dashboard provides “data about the rates of cases and hospitalizations relying on vaccination status, the age and origin of fresh cases, and additional information.”
NEW EFFECTIVE TESTING MEASURES
Under the provincial government’s new testing strategy, people with COVID-19 symptoms must register online for a PCR or rapid test.
According to a government release, “people can determine which type of test they are eligible to receive by completing the online form.”
Only the following PCR tests will be available:
Those who live or operate in high-risk surroundings, such as hospitals or homeless shelters
Those over the age of 50 who are experiencing symptoms
Children under the age of two
Anyone who is immunocompromised or is pregnant and is experiencing symptoms
Anyone who decides that public health is a priority is considered a priority.
Those who require a test to travel
Community members from First Nations communities
Rapid tests are available for the following:
Anyone over 50 who is experiencing symptoms and does not live or work in a vulnerable environment.
“We need to ensure that every person with symptoms can get a test because of the rising case numbers caused by the Omicron variant,” Health Minister Dorothy Shephard said.
“This means that people who don’t have any symptoms are ineligible for a rapid-test kit.” There’s no need to keep tests on hand. If you have extra test kits at home and are currently experiencing no symptoms, I encourage you to share them with your family and friends who may require them.
We expect additional rapid tests to be available in the coming days and weeks for anyone with symptoms, and we must ensure that our most vulnerable are protected.”
Source: CTV News
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