N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Anyone 12 or older now eligible for vaccine, community transmission in Fredericton

All New Brunswickers aged 12 or older are now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, the province announced Wednesday, along with a confirmed case of community transmission in the Fredericton region, Zone 3.

Youth aged 12 to 17 can now get an appointment to receive their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at a Horizon or Vitalité Health Network clinic, or through a participating pharmacy, said Education Minister Dominic Cardy.

Those aged 16 or 17 can book their own appointment and provide their own consent, he said, but parents or guardians must act on behalf of the younger children.

School districts will send out information in the coming days to help guide people through the registration and vaccination process, Cardy said.

Vaccination clinics will not be offered in schools for logistical reasons, he told the COVID briefing.

The expanded eligibility comes amid exposure notices affecting students at eight Fredericton-area schools.

The latest notice, sent Tuesday night by Anglophone West School District superintendent David McTimoney, applies to bus 210, which was carrying students to Fredericton High School and George Street Middle School, on the mornings of May 18-21.

These students and all members of their household are required to self-isolate until midnight Saturday night, and self-monitor for symptoms for the next 14 days, Dr. Cristin Muecke, acting regional medical officer of health for the central region, instructed in an attached letter.

Department of Health officials could not immediately say Wednesday how many students are affected.

Students and their households must remain in their home and keep two metres from other people as much as possible, she said.

If possible, they should avoid taking any medication that could hide COVID symptoms or a fever, such as ibuprofen, often sold as Advil, and acetaminophen, often sold as Tylenol.

Students and their families are also strongly encouraged to get tested, Muecke said.

Possible exposure notices have been issued for at least seven Fredericton schools in recent weeks: George Street Middle School, Leo Hayes High School, Nashwaaksis Middle School, New Maryland Elementary School, Fredericton Christian Academy, Connaught Street School, and Priestman Street Elementary School.

As of Wednesday, 393,887 New Brunswickers have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine, according to the government’s dashboard. That’s 56.8 per cent of the eligible population, aged 12 and above.

People 18 or older have been eligible for the vaccine since May 18.

Children aged 12 to 15 who have a complex medical condition or two or more chronic conditions were also eligible earlier this month.

In the weeks ahead, the province will be providing second doses to increase the level of protection, said Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell.

But « even when we have our population fully vaccinated, the virus will still not go away, » she said.

People must continue to follow Public Health measures.

« Getting New Brunswick to the green alert level, and our recovery plan will take longer and be more difficult if we fail to keep on the path that we are on. »

10 new cases

New Brunswick reported 10 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, including four in the Fredericton region, Zone 3, which has been struggling with a series of outbreaks and public exposures.

The chief medical officer of health also announced a confirmed case of community transmission in the region, which she described as « concerning. »

Public Health has been unable to trace the case to any other cases in the region, and believes it is a different strain, Dr. Jennifer Russell told the COVID briefing.

There are 134 active cases of the respiratory disease.

Five people are hospitalized in New Brunswick, including one in intensive care. One New Brunswicker is hospitalized out of province in an intensive care unit.

The breakdown of the new cases is as follows:

Moncton region, Zone 1, six cases:

• Two people 19 or under
• Three people 20-29
• A person 90 or over

All six cases are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

Fredericton region, Zone 3, four cases:

• A person 19 or under
• A person 20-29
• Two people 40-49

Three cases are contacts of a previously confirmed case. One case is related to travel and the individual is out of province.

New Brunswick has had 2,163 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. There have been 1,985 recoveries so far and 43 COVID-related deaths.

A total of 327,630 tests have been conducted, including 1,772 on Tuesday.

Latest public exposures

Public Health has identified a potential public exposure to the virus at the following locations and dates:

Moncton region, Zone 1:

• Extreme Windows, 80 Loftus St., Moncton, on May 18, May 19, May 20 and May 21 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Subway, 100 Morton Ave., Moncton, on May 19 between 8:30 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.
• TD Bank, 525 Regis St., Dieppe, on May 22 between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Fredericton region, Zone 3:

• Arthurette General Store, 1450 Route 109, Red Rapids, on May 11 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., May 16 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and May 21 between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. 
• Save Easy, A-24 Columbus St., Perth-Andover, on May 11, May 14, May 15, and May 21 between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
• Grant’s Service Centre, 1151 W. Riverside Dr., Perth-Andover, on May 13 between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• NB Liquor, 26F Tribe Rd., Perth-Andover, on May 13 between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m.
• Lewis Pharmacy, 14F Tribe Rd., Perth-Andover, on May 11 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., and May 14 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Squeaky’s Convenience, 2-18F Tribe Rd., Perth-Andover, on May 14 between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.
• Castle Building Supplies, 24B Columbus St., Perth-Andover, on May 14 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., and May 20 between noon. and 5:30 p.m.
• Aldo Shoes, 1381 Regent St., on May 19, between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Le Château, 1381 Regent St., on May 19, between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Lawtons Drugs, 1381 Regent St., on May 19 and May 20, between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
• Costco, 25 Wayne Squibb Blvd., on May 21, between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Dollarama, 1033 Prospect St., on May 21, between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Giant Tiger, 1160 Smythe St., on May 21 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Public Health is now offering COVID-19 testing for all New Brunswickers who have been in a public exposure area, even if they are not experiencing any symptoms. Residents may request a test online or call Tele-Care 811.

People experiencing one or more symptom are also encouraged to get tested.

Previous public exposures

Public Health identified nine public exposure sites Monday, all in the Fredericton region. 

• Costco, 25 Wayne Squibb Blvd., Fredericton on Saturday, May 15, between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• Walmart Supercentre, 1399 Regent St., Fredericton on Sunday, May 16, between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• Shoppers Drug Mart, 1040 Prospect St., Fredericton on Sunday, May 16, between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
• Walmart, 125 Two Nations Crossing, Fredericton on Monday, May 17, between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Dollarama, 125 Two Nations Crossing, Fredericton on Monday, May 17, between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Sobeys Fast Fuel, 530 Brookside Dr., Fredericton on Monday, May 17, between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
• Fadi’s Pizza, 312 Main St., Fredericton on Tuesday, May 18, between noon and 2 p.m.
• Fredericton Regional Centre, 300 St. Mary’s St., on Tuesday, May 18, and Wednesday, May 19, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Atlantic Superstore, 116 Main St., Fredericton on Wednesday, May 19, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Other public exposures

Public Health said the dates of a previously reported public exposure at the Fredericton YMCA daycare were incorrect. The correct dates are:

• Fredericton YMCA daycare, 570 York St., Fredericton, on Tuesday, May 18, and Wednesday, May 19

Fredericton region:

• Christ Church (Parish) Church, 245 Westmorland St., Fredericton, Sunday, May 16, 10:30 a.m. service.
• Hope City Church, 429 Clements Dr., Fredericton, on Sunday, May 16, 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. services.
• Petro Canada, 20 Royal Rd., Fredericton, on Tuesday, May 18, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Home Depot, 1450 Regent St., Fredericton, Wednesday, May 19, between 5 and 7 p.m.
• Scholten’s, 325 Sunset Dr., Fredericton, on May 17 between 4 and 8 p.m.
• Atlantic Superstore, 116 Main St., Fredericton, on May 16 between 9 and 11 a.m.
• Crowne Plaza Fredericton, 659 Queen St., Fredericton, on May 15 between 3 p.m. and May 16 at noon.
• Riverbend Golf Club, 541 Route 628, Durham Bridge,on May 15, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• Penniac Ultramar, 22 Route 628, on May 15, between 9 and 11 a.m. and between 2 and 4 p.m.
• Fredericton Boyce Farmers Market, 665 George St., on May 15 between 10 a.m. and noon
• Moores Clothing, 1150 Prospect St., on May 15, between 11 a.m. and noon.
• Home Depot, 1450 Regent St., on May 15, between noon and 1 p.m.
• Crowne Plaza Fredericton, 659 Queen St., between 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 15, and noon on Sunday, May 16.
• Costco, 25 Wayne Squibb Blvd., Fredericton, on Friday, May 14, between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• CJ Munn Equipment, 1095 Hanwell Rd., Fredericton, on Friday, May 14, between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
• McMath Law Office, 406 Regent St., on May 14, between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
• Fredericton Mitsubishi, 327 St. Mary’s St., on May 14, between 10:45 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Pizza Delight, 243 St. Mary’s St., on May 14, between noon and 2 p.m.
• The Abbey Café, 546 Queen St., on May 14, between noon and 12:30 p.m.
• Scotiabank, 490 King St., on May 14, between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Sobeys, 1180 Prospect St., on May 14, between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Cannon’s Cross Pub, 15 Riverside Dr., on May 14, between 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
• McDonald’s Restaurant, 1177 Prospect St., on May 14, between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.
• Cal’s Independent Grocer, 135 Otis Dr., Nackawic, on May 14, between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
• Irving Big Stop Blue Canoe restaurant, 415 Nevers Rd., Waasis, on May 14, between 10:30 a.m. and noon.
• Progressive Credit Union, 395 Connell Rd., Woodstock, on May 13, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• Giant Tiger, 1160 Smythe St., on May 13, between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• Scholten’s, 325 Sunset Dr., on May 13, between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.
• Costco, 25 Wayne Squibb Blvd., on May 12, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. and May 13, between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• A&W, 1018 Prospect St., Fredericton, on May 12, between noon and 2 p.m.
• NB Power, 515 King St., on May 12, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• Sobeys Fast Fuel, 530 Brookside Dr., on May 12, between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
• University of New Brunswick Fredericton campus, residence administration building, 20 Bailey Dr., Fredericton, on May 11 and May 12, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Sobeys, 463 Brookside Dr., Fredericton, on May 11, between 6 and 8 p.m.
• Tony Pepperoni, 510 Brookside Dr., on May 11, between 5 and 7 p.m.
• The Drome, 301 Main St., on May 11, between 8:45 and 11 p.m.
• Shoppers Drug Mart, 1040 Prospect St., on May 11, from 9 to 10 a.m.
• Hilton Garden Inn Hotel and the Pickle Jar Restaurant, 620 Queen St., from May 11 to May 16.
• Tim Hortons drive-thru, Regent Street, on May 10, at 1:30 p.m.
• Atlantic Superstore, 471 Smythe St, on May 10, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and May 11, from 10 a.m. to noon.
• Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital, 700 Priestman St., on May 10-11.
• Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation, 800 Priestman St., on May 10-11.
• Veterans Health Unit, 680 Priestman St., on May 10-11.
• Wolastoq Wharf, 527 Union St., on May 9, between noon and 2:30 p.m.
• Northside Market, 170 Main St., on May 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Irving Oil, 181 King St., on May 9, from 8 to 10 p.m.
• Dollarama, 5 Trinity Dr., on May 9, from noon to 2 p.m.
• NB Liquor, 18 Trinity Dr., on May 9, from noon to 5 p.m.
• Home Sense, 18 Trinity Dr., on May 9, from noon to 5 p.m.
• Delta Fredericton, 225 Woodstock Rd., on May 6-12.
• STMR. 36 Restaurant – Delta Fredericton, 225 Woodstock Rd., on May 6-12.

Moncton region:

• Costco Wholesale, 140 Granite Dr., Moncton, on May 9, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Edmundston region:

• Tim Hortons, 54 Canada St., Saint-Quentin, on May 16, between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.
• Jean Coutu, 177 Victoria St., on May 15, between noon and 1 p.m.

Bathurst region:

• Tim Hortons, 1420 Vanier Blvd., Bathurst, on May 16, between 5 and 7 p.m.

Flight exposures

Public Health has identified a positive case in a traveller who may have been infectious while on the following flights:

• Air Canada 314 – from Vancouver to Montreal, departed at 11:24 p.m. on May 11.
• Air Canada 8902 – from Montreal to Moncton, departed at 1:06 p.m. on May 12.
• Air Canada 8946 from Toronto to Moncton, departed at 8:47 p.m. on May 10.

What to do if you have a symptom

People concerned they might have COVID-19 symptoms can take a self-assessment test online. 

Public Health says symptoms shown by people with COVID-19 have included:

• Fever above 38 C.

• New cough or worsening chronic cough.

• Sore throat.

• Runny nose.

• Headache.

• New onset of fatigue, muscle pain, diarrhea, loss of sense of taste or smell.

• Difficulty breathing.

In children, symptoms have also included purple markings on the fingers and toes.

People with one of those symptoms should: