The rising number of COVID-19 cases in the Edmundston Zone 4 region has become concerning for New Brunswick health officials.
Health minister Dorothy Shephard says steps are being taken to address the situation.
Shephard says the presumption is these new cases are the variant strain of COVID noting how 55 percent of new cases in the last three weeks have been variants.
She adds Zone 4 could move to the Orange phase of recovery within days.
A positive case of COVID-19 has been confirmed at Carrefour de la Jeunesse in Edmundston and the school and child care facility located within the school, Halte scolaire Carrefour de la Jeunesse, will be closed until April 6.
Public Health says a mass testing clinic has been set up to help determine if there has been any further spread in Zone 4.
Testing will be held over two days, Thursday, March 25 and Friday, March 26, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Saint-Basile Arena at 275 Principale Street.
Meantime, Public Health has reported reported 12 new cases of COVID-19 today (March 24):
The two cases in Zone 1 (Moncton region) are as follows:
- an individual 30-39; and
- an individual 40-49.
Both of these cases are under investigation.
The 10 cases in Zone 4 (Edmundston region) are as follows:
- an individual 19 and under. This case is travel related.
- three people 30-39. Two cases are travel-related and the other is under investigation.
- an individual 40-49. This case is travel related.
- three people 50-59. One case is a contact of a previously reported case and the other two cases are under investigation.
- an individual 60-69. This case is a contact of a previously reported case.
- an individual 70-79. This case is a contact of a previously reported case.
In addition, New Brunswickers who are 75 years and older can now get their COVID-19 vaccinations.
The provincial government has also announced that rotational workers, cross-border commuters and truck drivers are also eligible to book an appointment at a pharmacy for a COVID-19 vaccine.
Walk-ins are not available.
When booking an appointment, you should indicate if you’re self-isolating since pharmacies may have certain procedures to follow.
Also, school staff in the Saint John area are being urged to get their shots on Thursday at various schools:
- Harbour View High School in Saint John
- Saint John High School
- Simonds High School in Saint John
- St. Malachy’s Memorial High School in Saint John
- Centre scolaire Samuel-de-Champlain in Saint John
Additional clinics will be held throughout the week for high school staff in the following areas:
- March 26 – Tracadie and Moncton regions;
- March 29 – Shediac, Bathurst, and Campbellton regions.
