N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Only 100 of 4,000 volunteers answering 'urgent' call put to work

More than 4,000 New Brunswickers have responded to the province's "urgent" call last month for volunteers to help with the COVID-19 pandemic response, says the Department of Health.

But so far, only a small fraction of them have been put to work.

"Approximately, 100 individuals have been deployed throughout the regional health authorities and long-term care facilities in both clinical and non clinical capacities," said department spokesperson Bruce Macfarlane.

He did not explain why the number isn't higher, but the province has said "priority will be given to people who can fill areas of highest need."

Training specific to the work to be done, including health and safety measures and the use of personal protective equipment, will also be provided, the province has said.

On Jan. 18, the province issued an urgent call for paid and unpaid volunteers to help with the clinical and non-clinical pandemic response.

"We need your help," Health Minister Dorothy Shephard has said, citing increased hospitalizations and staff absences because of the Omicron variant putting pressure on all aspects of the health-care system.

Within 24 hours, 1,600 people had signed up and Shephard asked for more.

"Please pass along the word to neighbours, family members and friends to see if they can also give us a helping hand in this fight against the Omicron variant," she had said in a statement.

"Over 4,000" have now responded, said Macfarlane.

Of those, "1,000 meet the requirement for clinical roles, while the remaining 3,000 individuals could potentially help support in non-clinical capacities," he said in an emailed statement.

Clinical work includes administering vaccinations and COVID testing, patient services and personal support work.

The non-clinical work includes clerical support, office administration, logistical support, data entry, customer service, and food preparation and delivery.  

He did not provide a clinical versus non-clinical breakdown of the roughly 100 people already volunteering and did not say how many of them are getting paid.