N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 95 new cases reported as vaccine plan for kids expands
CBC
New Brunswick reported 95 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday and 44 more recoveries, putting the province's active case count at 743, up from 692.
Fifty-five people are in hospital with COVID-19, including 18 in intensive care, Public Health said in a release.
One of the people in hospital is under 19.
At the legislature Thursday, Health Minister Dorothy Shephard urged New Brunswickers to remain cautious ahead of Christmas, saying there is always a possibility restrictions will ramp up for the holidays if COVID-19 cases increase again.
"It is very concerning that the numbers are going up," she told reporters. "There are lots of people worried we are going to lose Christmas, are we are trying to prevent that. And the people of New Brunswick can be a part of that simply by following public health measures."
The province continues to see the number of active cases "creep up, particularly in southern New Brunswick and Miramichi," Shephard said later in the day in a news release.
"We know some of those cases will result in hospitalization, with a greater risk to people who are unvaccinated. Every New Brunswicker has the power to help curb the COVID-19 spread in our province by simply keeping your contact numbers low, wearing a mask, washing your hands and getting vaccinated."
A total of 87.7 per cent of New Brunswickers aged 12 or older are now fully vaccinated, up from 87.6 per cent, and 93.5 per cent have received their first dose, unchanged from the last update.
The province's goal is to get at least 90 per cent of the total population double-dosed.
According to the CBC vaccine tracker, 79.2 per cent of the total eligible population is fully vaccinated and 82.6 per cent have received one dose.
The new cases break down this way:
Moncton region, Zone 1 — 28 cases:
Fifteen of the cases are under investigation, and 13 are the contacts of previously confirmed cases.
Saint John region, Zone 2 — 25 cases:
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