N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 109 new cases, 63 people in hospital

New Brunswick has 109 new cases of COVID-19 and 63 people in hospital with the virus, 27 of them in intensive care.

The fourth wave is “hitting our province very hard,” Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell said Tuesday, after the province surpassed 1,000 active cases for the first time Monday, and now stands at 1,092.

A surge in new infections like this hasn’t happened before and will likely continue for “some time,” she said, noting it will take roughly a week for the two-week circuit breaker, which began Friday night in the “hot zones,” to take effect.

The province’s focus now is on the infections that develop into more serious illness and lead to hospitalizations and deaths.

People who are unvaccinated are 18 times more likely to become seriously ill if they contract the virus, Russell told the COVID briefing.

But there now are, and will continue to be, so-called breakthrough cases in people who are fully vaccinated, she said.

Of the 109 new cases announced Tuesday, 72 – or 66 per cent – are unvaccinated, five – or five per cent – are partially vaccinated, and 32 – or 29 per cent – are fully vaccinated.

Russell told reporters she’s “absolutely” worried such breakthrough cases could dissuade unvaccinated people from getting their shots, or partially vaccinated people from getting their second dose.

That’s why she went over the numbers to help “frame the risks and put everything into context.”

The vaccine is very effective but not perfect, she said. It is “very good” at preventing serious illness, hospitalization, and death.

Since Aug. 1, the rate of ICU admissions for unvaccinated patients is 33.4 cases for every 100,000 unvaccinated New Brunswickers. By comparison, the rate among those fully vaccinated has been just 1.8 cases, Russell said, urging everyone eligible to get their shot.

Of Tuesday’s 63 hospitalizations, 48 people – or 76 per cent – are not fully vaccinated. Of the 27 people in ICU, 22 – or 82 per cent – are unvaccinated.

As of Tuesday, 81.6 per cent of New Brunswickers age 12 and older are fully vaccinated, up from 81.5 per cent on Monday, while 90.8 per cent have received their first dose, up from 90.7.

Russell said she’s “particularly pleased” to see the number of people getting a first dose is rising again. “This shows that our measures to encourage vaccination are having the desired effect.”

But 128,000 New Brunswickers aged 12 and older are still not fully protected, including 69,000 who are unvaccinated, she said, adding she’s concerned about those numbers and concerned about those individuals.

Another “tens of thousands” of children under 12 are not yet eligible for vaccination.

All provincial government employees, staff in long-term care facilities and staff and volunteers in schools and licensed early learning and child-care facilities must be fully vaccinated by Nov. 19.

The Moncton region, Zone 1, has the largest number of the province’s 1,092 active cases at 396, as of Tuesday. (CBC)

The new cases confirmed Tuesday are spread across all seven health zones. They include:

• Moncton region, Zone 1: 32 cases
• Saint John region, Zone 2: 22 cases
• Fredericton region, Zone 3: 17 cases
• Edmundston region, Zone 4: 11 cases
• Campbellton region, Zone 5: 20 cases
• Bathurst region, Zone 6: three cases
• Miramichi region, Zone 7: four cases

New Brunswick has had 5,367 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, with 4,199 recoveries so far and 75 COVID-related deaths.

A total of 493,631 tests have been conducted to date.

Hospitals enter ‘red alert’ levels

All Vitalité Health Network hospitals moved to the COVID-19 “red alert” level Tuesday and Horizon Health Network hospitals and health-care centres will follow suit on Wednesday.

The changes will allow the regional health authorities to redeploy staff to maintain emergency services and intensive care units, caring for COVID-19 patients and those who are critically ill, officials have said.

All non-essential health-care services will be “greatly reduced” or temporarily suspended, Vitalité has said.

Affected services include:

• Elective surgeries
• Ambulatory care services
• Professional services, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and nutrition
• Non-urgent medical imaging services, such as X-rays and scans

Horizon said some of its non-urgent elective surgeries, medical procedures and outpatient appointments may need to be postponed as well.

All affected patients and clients will be contacted directly by Horizon or their health-care provider if their non-urgent surgery, procedure or appointment needs to be cancelled, it said in a news release Tuesday.

“If you have not been contacted, please attend your appointment as planned.”

Outpatient appointments include: appointments at ambulatory outpatient clinics and professional services outpatient appointments, such as therapeutic services, blood and specimen collection, diagnostic imaging (X-ray), electrodiagnostics and respiratory therapy, the release said.

Both Vitalité and Horizon have also suspended all hospital visits.

MLA calls for probe into nursing home outbreak, transparency

Megan Mitton, the MLA for Memramcook-Tantramar and the Green Party’s health critic, is calling for an independent investigation into the COVID-19 outbreak at a Sackville nursing home and for the government to be more transparent about outbreaks at other facilities.

As of Oct. 8, eight people at Drew Nursing Home have died, and 39 people have tested positive, including 29 residents and 10 staff – more than any other long-term care facility during the fourth wave.

“It feels like the government has been asleep at the wheel in Sackville,” Mitton said in a statement Tuesday regarding the month-long outbreak.

“Residents and their families need answers. Why wasn’t this outbreak immediately brought under control by PROMT [the provincial rapid outbreak management team] and the Department of Social Development, as past outbreaks in long-term care facilities have been? What went wrong?”

Mitton also wants the government to release information about which facilities have had outbreaks since the fourth wave began, including the number of cases and deaths at each.

Health Minister Dorothy Shephard said the government will give as much information as it can about the COVID-19 outbreak at the Drew Nursing Home and outbreaks at other long-term care facilities, while still protecting the privacy of individuals. (Ed Hunter/CBC)

On Sept. 22, the government announced PROMT teams had been activated at 15 locations across the province, including nursing homes, a shelter and First Nation community. But no update has been provided since then.

“We are now seeing the same type of crisis at the Drew Nursing Home that other provinces experienced during previous waves. What is happening in long-term care facilities elsewhere in the province?” Mitton said. “It seems as if the government is trying to sweep this under the rug.” 

Health Minister Dorothy Shephard said it’s “not unlike opposition to call for independent investigations into pretty much anything.”

She stressed she’s not downplaying the significance of the Drew Nursing Home outbreak. “It has been a difficult time in that facility.”

But she contends the government evaluates every outbreak and has been “very transparent.”

“If they can’t get answers to their questions, we could take it under advisement. But I’m not sure of any questions that they would ask that we wouldn’t answer,” Shephard said.

Flu shots now available

New Brunswickers aged six months and older are being encouraged to get a free flu shot at a clinic or through a primary care giver, starting Tuesday, to help reduce the strain COVID-19 has put on the health-care system.

People age 65 and older can get “an enhanced high-dose influenza vaccine,” which gives them a stronger immune response and extra protection, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jennifer Russell has said.

Keeping people healthy this flu season is more important than ever, Russell said in a statement.

“By getting this year’s flu shot, we are helping to reduce hospital visits from influenza-related illnesses and freeing up those resources for areas where they are needed most.”

Residents can be immunized at a variety of clinics offered at pharmacies and community health centres or through other primary-care providers, such as physicians, public health nurses, midwives and paramedics.

Out-of-province students can get their flu shots through student health services at their respective post-secondary institutions. New residents and non-residents without a Medicare card can get flu shots free of charge from a pharmacist.

The Department of Health will be including the high-dose flu vaccine as part of its immunization program for all elderly residents, including those in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes and adult residential facilities.

The flu shot can be safely administered at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine, Russell has said.

Public Health is offering an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine booster dose to seniors in long-term care homes and other communal settings who have already received two doses of a vaccine.

Older adults have a higher risk of serious complications from influenza, including pneumonia, heart failure, hospitalization or even death. The high-dose vaccines contain four times the antigens of regular vaccines to boost the immune system, according to Public Health.

New public exposure notices

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

Moncton region, Zone 1

• Oct. 3 between 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. – Cornerstone Chapel Moncton (11 York St., Berry Mills)

Saint John region, Zone 2

• Oct. 8 between 6:45 a.m. and 11:30 p.m.  – Station 33 Café & Yoga restaurant section (33 Railway Cres., Hampton)
• Oct. 2 to Oct. 7 between 6:45 a.m. and 3 p.m. – Station 33 Café & Yoga restaurant section (33 Railway Cres., Hampton)

Fredericton region, Zone 3

• Oct. 8 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Starbucks (1040 Prospect St., Fredericton)
• Oct/ 7 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Walmart (1399 Regent St., Fredericton)
• Oct. 7 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Hanwell Village Mart (1761 Hanwell Rd., Hanwell)
• Oct. 6 between noon and 2 p.m. – Ken’s Barber Shop (240 Main St., Plaster Rock)October 4 between 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Scotiabank (728 Perth Main St., Perth-Andover)
• Oct. 3 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Speedway 104 Mower races (7399 Route 104, Windsor)
• Oct. 3 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Pond’s Resort on the Miramichi restaurant (91 Porter Cove Rd., Porter Cove)

Bathurst region, Zone 6

• Oct. 5 between 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – Dixie Lee Restaurant (49 St-Pierre Boul. W., Caraquet)
• Oct. 4 between noon and 1 p.m. – L’Entracte Resto Pub (3394 Principale St., Tracadie)

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 few weeks. For the full list beyond this time period, please visit the Government of New Brunswick’s website.

Moncton region, Zone 1

• Oct. 5 between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.- Five Bridges Bar & Grill (121 Pine Glen Rd., Riverview)
• Oct. 4 between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – Dr. Léon Richard Oncology Centre (37 Providence St. Moncton)
• Oct. 4-6 between 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Club Boishebert de Shediac (322 Main St., Shediac)
• Oct. 3 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. – YMCA (70 Twin Oaks Dr., Moncton)
• Between Oct. 2 and 3 between noon and 10 a.m. – Beauséjour Camping (747 Lino Rd., Shediac)
• Oct. 2 and 3 between noon and 10 a.m. – Beauséjour Camping (747 Lino Rd., Shediac)
• Oct. 2 between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.– The Brick – (75 Trinity Dr., Moncton)
• Oct. 2 between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Costco (140 Granite Dr., Moncton)
• Oct. 2 between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Under Armour Factory House (78 Wyse St., Moncton)
• Oct. 2 between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Tire Shack Brewing (190 John St., Moncton)
• Oct. 2 between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Fox Creek Golf, Golf Course (200 Golf St., Dieppe)
• Oct. 2 between 11 a.m. and noon – Pür & Simple (477 Paul St., Dieppe)
• Oct. 2 between 1:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – George Dumont Hospital Emergency Room (330 Université Ave., Moncton)
• Oct. 2 between 7:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – Cocagne Arena (19 Marina Rd., Cocagne)
• Oct. 2 between 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. – Kay Arena (99 Wynwood Dr., Moncton)
• Oct. 1 between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. – Beauséjour Camping (747 Lino Rd., Shediac)
• Oct. 1 between 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. – The Fisherman (640 Main St., Shediac)
• Oct. 1 between 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. – St. James’ Gate (Fox Creek Golf) (200 Golf St., Dieppe)
• Oct. 1 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. – Ole Hibachi (790 Dieppe Blvd., Dieppe)
• Oct. 1 between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Fox Creek Golf, Member’s Lounge (200 Golf St., Dieppe)
• Oct. 1 between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. – Rossano’s Italian Grill (30 Mapleton Rd., Moncton)
• Oct. 1 between 2:45 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. – Université de Moncton, Michel-Bastarache Law Library (18 Antonine Maillet Ave., Moncton)
• Oct. 1 between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Fox Creek Golf, Golf Course (200 Golf St., Dieppe)
• Oct. 1 between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. – Country View Restaurant (47379 Homestead Rd., Steeves Mountain)
• Oct. 1 between 11:45 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. – CCNB – Dieppe Campus (505 College St., Dieppe)
• Sept. 30 between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. – St. Louis Bar & Grill (500 Kennedy Rd., Dieppe)
• Sept. 30 between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. – Boston Pizza (1380 Mountain Rd., Moncton)
• Sept. 30 between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. – Cora’s (1040 Champlain St., Dieppe)
• Sept. 23, 24, 29, and 30 between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. – Bikini Village (477 Paul St., Dieppe)
• Sept. 29 between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. – St. Louis Bar & Grill (500 Kennedy Rd., Dieppe)
• Sept. 29 to Oct. 3 between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. – Walmart (477 Paul St., Dieppe)
• Sept. 29 between 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – CCNB – Dieppe Campus (505 College St., Dieppe)
• Sept. 28 between 7 p.m. and midnight – Moncton Hospital, Emergency Department (135 Macbeath Ave., Moncton)
• 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. 28 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. – Wendy Johnston Pottery and Art Effects Fine Craft Gallery (3923 Main St., Hopewell Cape)
• Sept. 27 and 28 between 1:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. – Walmart (477 Paul St., Dieppe)
• Sept. 27 between 7:30 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. – CCNB – Dieppe Campus (505 College 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 between 1:45 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. – Clinique Dr Sourire Orthodontists (211 Champlain Avenue, Suite 100, Dieppe)
• 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. 27 between 8:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. – Arts Pavilion, Room MAR217, Université de Moncton (55 Antonine Maillet Ave., Moncton)

Saint John region, Zone 2

• Oct. 7, between 7:45 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. – Hampton Community Center rink (808 Main St., Hampton)
• Oct. 6, between noon and 3 p.m. – Dr. Luan Le’s Office (35 University Ave., Saint John)
• Oct. 6, between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. – Char and Chowder Restaurant (182 Water St., Saint Andrews)
• Oct. 5 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – 8th Hussars Sports Centre (8 Leonard Dr., Sussex)
• Oct. 5, between 1:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – Up to Par Restaurant (109 Upper Midland Rd., Norton)
• Oct. 5 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. – Canterbury Dental Clinic (18 Canterbury St., Saint John)
• Oct. 4, between 5:45 p.m. and 16:15 p.m. – Mac’s Island Market (924 Route 774, Welshpool)
• Oct. 3, between 10:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. – Char and Chowder Restaurant (182 Water St., Saint Andrews)
• Oct. 3 between 4 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. – Vito’s Restaurant (111 Hampton Rd., Rothesay)
• Oct. 1 between 10:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. – Guardian Pharmacy (101 King St., St. Stephen)
• Sept. 30 between 3:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. – House of Chan (701 Millidge Ave., Saint John)
• Sept. 30 and Oct. 5 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. – Canterbury Dental Clinic (18 Canterbury St., Saint John)
• Sept. 30 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. – Canterbury Dental Clinic (18 Canterbury St., Saint John)
• Sept. 29 between 2:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. – All Smiles Orthodontic Specialist (157 Hampton Rd., Rothesay)
• Sept. 29 between noon and 2 p.m. – Holy Redeemer Parish (316, Somerset St., Saint John)
• Sept. 29 between 9 a.m. and noon – St. Joseph’s Hospital, Urgent Care Department (130 Bayard Dr., Saint John)
• Sept. 28 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. – QPLEX – (20 Randy Jones Way, Quispamsis)
• 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. 27 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Dr. Demmings Office (Building A. Suite 205, Hilyard Place, 560 Main St., Saint John)

Fredericton region, Zone 3

• Sept. 14 to Oct. 7 – Tobique Valley Senior’s Complex (4 Manor Dr., Plaster Rock)
• Oct. 4 between 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Scotiabank (728 Perth Main St., Perth-Andover)
• Oct. 4 between 9:40 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. – Subway (18 F. Tribe Rd. Unit 3, Perth-Andover)
• Oct. 3, between 10:30 a.m. and noon – Sure Life Assembly (335 Otis Drive, Nackawic)
• Oct. 3 between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. – G8Way Ultramar (22 Route 628, Penniac)
• Oct. 3 between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Kingswood Golf Club (1700 Kingswood Way, Hanwell)
• Oct. 2 between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. – East Side Mario’s (14 Trinity Ave., Fredericton)
• Oct. 2-3 between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. – Quality Inn and Suites Amsterdam (559 Bishop Dr., Fredericton)
• Oct. 2 between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Fredericton Indoor Pool (79 Carrington Ln., Fredericton))
• Oct. 2, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. – Ryan’s Pharmacy (135 Otis Dr., Nackawic)
• Oct. 1 between 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. – Scott’s Your Independent Grocer (24 Columbus St., Perth-Andover)
• Oct. 1 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Pizza Delight (403 Connell St., Woodstock)
• Oct. 1 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – Hilltop Restaurant (1034 Prospect St., Fredericton)
• Sept. 30 between 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Giant Tiger (598 Union St., Fredericton)
• Sept. 29 between noon to 2 p.m. – The River Restaurant (558 Main St., Woodstock)
• Sept. 28 between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. –– Kingswood Golf Club (1700 Kingswood Way, Hanwell)
• Between Sept. 28-29 between 6 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. – St. Mary’s Entertainment Centre (185 Gabriel Dr., Fredericton)
• Between Sept. 27-28 between 6 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. – St. Mary’s Entertainment Centre (185 Gabriel Dr., Fredericton)
• Sept. 27 between 10 a.m. and noon – Shoppers Drug Mart (3710 Connell St., Woodstock)

Edmundston region, Zone 4

• Oct. 8 between 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (344 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Oct. 6-7 between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. – Subway (360 Canada St., Saint Quentin)
• Oct. 4-7 – Rodeway Inn (10039 Route 144, Grand Falls)
• Oct. 4 between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Dollarama (180 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls) 
• Oct. 4 between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Road, Grand Falls)
• Oct. 4 between 8:15 a.m. and 9 a.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Road, Grand Falls)
• Oct. 4, between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Road, Grand Falls)
• Oct. 4, between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – Walmart (494 Madawaska Road, Grand Falls)
• Oct. 4, between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (180 Madawaska Road, Unit #700, Grand Falls)
• Oct. 3 between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Subway (360 Canada St., Saint Quentin)
• Oct. 3, between 9:15 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. – St. George Church (226 St. Georges Rd., Grand Falls)
• Oct. 2 between noon and 3 p.m. – Sports Experts (33 Canada Rd., Edmundston)
• Oct. 2, between 10 a.m. and noon – Bonichoix (4 Saint Camille Rd., Kedgwick)
• Oct. 1, between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. – Bonichoix (4 Saint Camille Rd., Kedgwick)
• Oct. 1 between 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. – Jean Coutu (276 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Oct. 1 between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. – Atlantic Superstore (240 Madawaska Rd., Grand Falls)
• Oct. 1 between 8:15 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. – Giant Tiger (200 Broadway Blvd., Grand Falls)
• Oct.1 between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. – Irving (272 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Oct. 1 between 1:30 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. – Kent (772 Victoria St., Edmundston)
• Sept. 30 between noon and 8 p.m. – Coop Ô Naturel (2 Jeanne d’Arc Rd., Kedgwick)
• Sept. 30 between 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. – Bonichoix (4 Saint Camille Rd., Kedgwick)
• Sept. 30 between 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. – Bonichoix (4 Saint-Camille Rd., Kedgwick)
• Sept. 29-30 between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. – Bonichoix (4 Saint Camille Rd., Kedgwick)
• Sept. 29 between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. – Subway (360 Canada St., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 29 between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – Douce plénitude, Centre d’éveil et de soins holistiques (34 Bergeron Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 29 between 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Coop Ô Naturel (2 Jeanne d’Arc Rd., Kedgwick)
• Sept. 29 between noon and 1 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (344 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 29 between noon and 12:30 p.m. – Ultramar (224 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• 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. 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, 28 between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Subway (360 Canada St., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 28 between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – UNI Financial Cooperative (205 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 28 between 1:15 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. – La Moisson Public Library (206 Canada St., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 27 between noon and 1 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (344 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 27 between noon and 1 p.m. – Saint Quentin Co-Op (145 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• Sept. 27 between noon and 1 p.m. – Simply for Life (221 Canada Rd., Saint Quentin)
• 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)

Campbellton region, Zone 5

• Oct. 6-8 – Clinique Vétérinaire Lépine (148 Notre Dame St., Atholville)
• Oct, 4 between 11:40 a.m. and 12:55 p.m. – Bonnie’s Tabata Fitness (1 Union St., Campbellton)
• Between Oct. 1-6 – Campbellton Regional Hospital Med-Surg unit (189 Lily Lake Rd., Campbellton)
• Oct. 6 between 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. – Brasserie 1026 Bar & Grill (157 Water St., Campbellton)
• Oct. 1 between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. – McIntyre Convenience Store (230 Chaleur St., Charlo)
• Oct. 1 – East Coast Industrial (1 Boom Rd., Atholville)
• Sept. 29-39 – East Coast Industrial (1 Boom Rd., Atholville)
• Sept, 29 between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. – McIntyre Convenience (230 Chaleur St., Charlo)
• Sept. 28-29, between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. – Dixie Lee Family Restaurant (168 Water St., Campbellton)
• Sept. 27-28, between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. – Island Lake Club (Balmoral Parish)
• Sept. 27-28 – East Coast Industrial (1 Boom Rd., Atholville)

Bathurst region, Zone 6

• Oct. 3 between 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Walmart (900 St. Anne St., Bathurst)
• Oct. 2 between 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. – Walmart (900 St. Anne St., Bathurst)
• Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 between 1 p.m. and 10 p.m. – Walmart (900 St. Anne St., Bathurst)
• Sept. 29 between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. – Vaccination clinic, K.C. Irving Centre (850 St. Anne St., Bathurst)
• Sept. 27, 28, and 29 between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. – Brick (1165 St. Anne St., Bathurst)

Miramichi region, Zone 7

• Oct. 5 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. – Downtown Beauty Salon (1706 Water St., Miramichi) 
• Oct. 3 between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. – Harvey’s (2470 King George Highway, Miramichi) 
• Sept. 30 between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m. – Subway (186 King St., Miramichi)
• Sept. 28 and 29, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. – L.J. Patterson Sales and Service (752 Main St., Beresford)
• 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)

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.