N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Record 237 new cases, 86 Omicron cases, one death

The province has recorded another death and a new record number of COVID-19 cases today, with 237 cases.

A person in their 60s in the Fredericton region, Zone 3, has died as a result of COVID-19, bringing the total number of COVID-related deaths to 149.

There are 40 people in hospital, including 17 in intensive care and 11 on ventilators, and the number of confirmed cases of the Omicron variant has risen from Tuesday's 70 cases to 86, Public Health said in a news release late Wednesday afternoon.

"The high number of cases today is not surprising," Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health, said.

"We are seeing the same thing happen in jurisdictions around us, which is why it is critical that people follow public health measures."

With the holidays just days away, Russell urged New Brunswickers to adhere to public health measures, including wearing a well-fitting mask, maintaining physical distancing, keeping gatherings small and booking a booster vaccine as soon as they are eligible.

"I know people are tired, but it is the small things we all do to reduce contacts which can help slow the spread" of COVID-19, particularly the more contagious Omicron variant, she said.

Health Minister Dorothy Shephard echoed this advice, noting "the virus is in every corner of our province and the only way we can slow the spread is by each of us doing our part."

Public Health has updated its guidance on masks to note that people should wear a well-fitted, non-medical-type, three-layered mask or a two-layered mask with a filter.

For increased protection, people should consider wearing a properly fitted medical-grade mask such as a surgical mask, or a KN-95 or N-95 mask (not ventilated).

Masks are mandatory in indoor public places, and in outdoor public spaces when physical distancing cannot be maintained.

On Tuesday, Premier Blaine Higgs announced that the entire province will move to stricter Level 2 restrictions just before midnight on Monday, Dec. 27, in a bid to rein in surging COVID-19 cases over the Christmas holidays. 

Higgs made the announcement at a livestreamed news conference on Tuesday afternoon, where Dr. Jennifer Russell and Health Minister Dorothy Shephard also spoke, all of them referring to record cases in Maine, Nova Scotia, Quebec and other nearby areas.

That will likely happen here as well, Russell said, noting "it's not if, it's when."