Covid Cases In New Brunswick Surge

New Brunswick has seen a high number of COVID-19 cases and related deaths, with a total of 99 fatalities as of July 2023. The province has been divided into seven health zones, with the Moncton region (Zone 1) reporting the highest number of confirmed cases. The COVID-19 outbreak has had a significant impact on hospitals in the region, with many surgeries being postponed due to high case counts and hospitalizations. The government has implemented various measures to limit the spread, including vaccination campaigns and booster shots for vulnerable groups.

Moncton region (Zone 1)

The Moncton region (Zone 1) has seen a significant number of COVID-19 cases and related fatalities. On July 20, 2023, a person in their 90s in Zone 1 passed away due to COVID-19, contributing to five total deaths reported that day in New Brunswick. This brought the total number of COVID-19-related deaths in the province to 99 at that time.

On the same day, 13 new cases were reported in Zone 1, out of a total of 69 new cases in the province. Five of these new cases in Zone 1 were individuals aged 19 and under. The Moncton region has been particularly affected by the virus, with a total of 1,688 confirmed cases as of February 19, 2024, making it the zone with the highest number of confirmed cases in New Brunswick.

The impact of COVID-19 in Moncton has led to concerns about hospital capacity. A Moncton resident, Fraser Whitman, expressed support for extending a two-week circuit-breaker to help reduce cases and hospitalizations. The situation has also affected scheduled surgeries, with Whitman's uncle facing multiple postponements at the Moncton Hospital due to COVID-19 outbreaks.

The region has witnessed a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated cases, with varying levels of severity. As of July 20, 2023, 43% of the new cases in the province were fully vaccinated, while 51% were unvaccinated. Additionally, the majority of cases in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) were unvaccinated—14 out of 16 cases.

The Moncton region has had a high number of active cases, with 290 reported on February 19, 2024, second only to the Fredericton region (Zone 3) with 361 active cases. The impact of the virus in Zone 1 has been significant, and public health measures have been implemented to limit its spread.

Saint John region (Zone 2)

As of June 12, 2024, there were 10 new cases of COVID-19 in the Saint John region (Zone 2) of New Brunswick, Canada. This included two people aged 19 and under, and four people aged 50-59. All cases were under investigation.

The Saint John region has had several potential public exposure sites, including restaurants, churches, gyms, and supermarkets. People who have been exposed to the virus are advised to self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days and get tested if any develop. They should also pick up an at-home COVID-19 rapid test kit.

The region has also seen outbreaks at several locations, including nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and rooming houses. An outbreak at the Grand Falls Manor in Grand Falls (Zone 4) was declared over on June 12.

As of June 12, there were 761 active cases of COVID-19 in New Brunswick, with 55 people hospitalized due to the virus. The province has a high vaccination rate, with 82.9% of eligible New Brunswickers fully vaccinated and 91.8% having received their first dose.

Fredericton region (Zone 3)

Fredericton (Zone 3) is one of the seven health zones in New Brunswick. As of February 2024, the region has had a total of 1,229 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, with 137 active cases.

In July 2023, the Fredericton region reported 17 new cases, including four people aged 19 and under, with 16 cases under investigation and one being a contact of a previously confirmed case.

In terms of vaccinations, as of February 2024, 82.7 per cent of New Brunswickers aged 12 and older in the region are fully vaccinated, and 91.7 per cent have received their first dose.

Campbellton region (Zone 5)

The Campbellton region (Zone 5) in New Brunswick has been one of the hardest-hit areas by the COVID-19 pandemic. In October 2020, the region recorded three new cases of COVID-19, prompting the tightening of restrictions. People were limited to interacting with a single household bubble, and mass testing was conducted over a weekend. The situation was particularly concerning as there were four separate chains of infection that could not be linked, indicating community spread. The region was on the verge of returning to the red phase, the most restrictive phase of the recovery process.

The situation in Zone 5 improved by November 2020, and the region returned to the Yellow phase of recovery. This decision was based on a consistent downward trend in the number of cases and a significant decline in the risk of further infections. The collaboration between public health workers, regional health authorities, local civic leaders, and residents was commended for this positive development.

However, in October 2021, the Campbellton region once again experienced a high number of COVID-19 transmissions. A circuit breaker was expanded to include all of Zone 5 for 14 days to address the surge in cases. A COVID-19 outbreak at the Campbellton Regional Hospital resulted in 17 positive cases among patients, four of whom died, and 37 infections among staff. The high death rate in the region during this period made it the highest in Canada per 100,000 people.

In June 2024, the Campbellton region (Zone 5) reported 17 new cases of COVID-19, including four people aged 19 and under, three people aged 80-89, and two people aged 90 and above. All cases were under investigation. The region has had a challenging history with COVID-19, with several outbreaks and restrictions over the course of the pandemic.

Bathurst region (Zone 6)

As of June 2024, the Bathurst region (Zone 6) in New Brunswick has had several COVID-19 cases and outbreaks. The region has been subject to various restrictions and preventive measures to limit the spread of the virus.

In March 2024, the Bathurst region reported two new COVID-19 cases, both of whom were under 19 years old and contacts of previously confirmed cases. This was part of a cluster of cases in the Moncton region, Zone 1, that caused cases in other zones, including Bathurst.

In June 2024, the Bathurst region reported two deaths related to COVID-19. The region was also one of the sites of activation for the Provincial Rapid Outbreak Management Team, with the Royal Residence in Bathurst being one of the 23 locations across the province where the team provided assistance.

The City of Bathurst has implemented several measures to inform the public about the Coronavirus pandemic and share relevant updates. They have provided updates on the closure and reopening of various sites, such as the Daly Point Nature Reserve, playgrounds, and outdoor public sites and trails. The city has also offered payment relief options for water and sewer services to customers facing financial hardships due to the pandemic.

The COVID-19 situation in the Bathurst region and all of New Brunswick is continually evolving, and residents are advised to follow the instructions and guidelines provided by local authorities and health organizations.

Frequently asked questions