N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 65 new cases, 580 active cases in all

Public Health is reporting 65 new cases of COVID-19, and the majority of cases continue to be people who have not been vaccinated.

Of the new cases, 42 people, or 65 per cent, are unvaccinated and 23 people, or 35 per cent, are fully vaccinated.

Sixty-five more people have recovered from COVID-19 since the last report, leaving the active case count at 580.

There are 19 people in hospital, including 11 in intensive care. Fifteen of the hospitalized people are unvaccinated, and one is partially vaccinated and three are fully vaccinated. 

Vaccination numbers have not changed since the last report, with 86.3 per cent of eligible New Brunswickers being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 93 per cent having received their first dose of a vaccine.

COVID-19 circuit-breaker measures in Zone 2, the Saint John region, will end at 6 p.m. Friday. 

Most of the new Zone 2 cases are people who were already isolating and got confirmation from a PCR test that they had COVID-19, said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health.

"However, we are seeing some new cases in the Charlotte County region, so we will continue to monitor the situation. At this time, Public Health remains comfortable removing the circuit breaker for Zone 2, but we ask people to please remain vigilant and follow public health measures."

The circuit breaker will continue for another seven days in parts of Zone 1, which is the Moncton region, but will be reduced to only cover the municipalities of Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview.

The other areas of Zone 1 currently in week five of a circuit breaker will see those restrictions lifted at 6 p.m. 

"I understand that people are feeling tired and frustrated," Russell said. "However the issue of household gatherings and people not isolating is our major source of problems in that area.

"I am meeting with community leaders in this area today to help explain what is taking place so they can assist in letting residents know what they have to do to help bring the situation back under control."

Enforcement is being increased to ensure that those who are supposed to be isolating are doing so and that gatherings of multiple households are not taking place. Residents are encouraged to call or email to report violations of the rules.

Additionally, a circuit breaker will take effect at 6 p.m. for 14 days for all of Zone 7, the Miramichi region, except for Black River Bridge and communities to the east, Murray Settlement and areas south, and New Jersey and communities north.