New Brunswick is reporting 17 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, all in the Moncton region (Zone 1). There are now 22 active cases in the province.
The 17 new cases are a single-day high in the province, surpassing the 15 new cases reported on March 28.
On Tuesday, the province reported an outbreak of COVID-19 at Notre-Dame Manor, a special-care home in Moncton, which has 112 residents and 56 employees.
The new cases are thirteen residents and four workers at Notre-Dame Manor and two family members who were in close contact.
Two residents of Notre-Dame Manor are currently in hospital.
N.B. premier Blaine Higgs and Dr. Jennifer Russell will provide an update on the COVID-19 outbreak in Moncton at 3 p.m. Atlantic.
Tuesday’s two new cases involved a resident between the ages of 70-79 years old, and a resident between the ages of 80-89 years old.
“An outbreak is everyone’s greatest fear and please be assured that our overriding priority is the health and safety of the residents and those who care for them,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, N.B. chief medical officer of health said on Tuesday. “Today’s news is a clear reminder that we must all be vigilant and follow public health advice.”
N.B. Public Health started an investigation Monday night, sending additional staff and resources to the facility, and started contact tracing and rapid testing of the facility’s residents and staff on Tuesday.
All admissions and visits to the manor are on hold until further notice. All other facilities are to follow current public health guidance under yellow phase unless otherwise directed.
“New Brunswick has been successful over the last few months in keeping the spread of this disease contained,” said Premier Blaine Higgs said on Tuesday. “We did this by continuing to take the precautions Public Health was asking us to take. Those low numbers caused some to wonder why we were still under a state of emergency and why all the precautions were still necessary. Today’s announcement is why. We have to do what is needed to protect our vulnerable family members and friends.”
