Zone 3: New Brunswick's Northern Hub

New Brunswick is divided into seven health zones, each with its own set of communities. Zone 3, also known as the Fredericton and River Valley Area, is one of these seven health zones. It includes communities such as Minto, Chipman, Cambridge-Narrows, Oromocto, Gagetown, New Maryland, Kingsclear, Lincoln, Nackawic, McAdam, Canterbury, Douglas, Saint Marys, Doaktown, Florenceville-Bristol, Woodstock, Wakefield. Zone 3 has a range of government services, including community mental health centres and psychiatric units in hospitals. In January 2024, Zones 1, 2, and 3 were moved to the Red phase due to an increase in COVID-19 cases, indicating a loss of control over the virus's spread in the province.

Zone 3's location in Fredericton

Zone 3 in New Brunswick is the Fredericton and River Valley Area. It is one of the seven health zones established by provincial legislation. The other six zones are:

• Moncton/South-East Area (Zone 1)
• Fundy Shore and Saint John Area (Zone 2)
• Madawaska and North-West Area (Zone 4)
• Restigouche Area (Zone 5)
• Bathurst and Acadian Peninsula Area (Zone 6)
• Miramichi Area (Zone 7)

Zone 3 includes the communities of Minto, Chipman, Cambridge-Narrows, Oromocto, Gagetown, Fredericton Junction, New Maryland, Kingsclear, Lincoln, Nackawic, McAdam, Canterbury, Douglas, Saint Marys, Doaktown, Florenceville-Bristol, Woodstock, Wakefield.

In November 2023, Zone 3 in Fredericton moved to the orange level as a result of an increase in COVID-19 cases. This meant that residents had to follow certain restrictions, such as single-household bubbles and restaurants only being open for takeout and delivery. In January 2024, Zones 1, 2, and 3 were moved back to the red phase due to a continued rise in cases.

COVID-19 restrictions in Zone 3

Zone 3 in New Brunswick refers to the Fredericton and River Valley Area. This zone includes the following areas:

• Minto, Chipman, and Cambridge-Narrows Area
• Oromocto, Gagetown, and Fredericton Junction Area
• New Maryland, Kingsclear, and Lincoln Area
• Nackawic, McAdam, and Canterbury Area
• Douglas, Saint Marys, and Doaktown Area
• Florenceville-Bristol, Woodstock, and Wakefield Area
• Perth-Andover, Plaster Rock, and Tobique Area

In January 2022, New Brunswick moved to Level 3 of the COVID-19 winter plan, the most restrictive level, due to a surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Here are the restrictions that were in place during that time:

• Social gatherings were limited to single household bubbles, which could be extended to include caregivers, a family member who needed support, or one other person who needed support (e.g., someone living alone).
• Children from another household could be included in a single-household bubble for daycare or online education support, provided the same bubble was maintained throughout the Level 3 period.
• No public gatherings were permitted.
• Restaurants were limited to drive-thru, takeout, and delivery services only.
• Non-essential retail businesses could operate at 50% capacity with physical distancing measures in place.
• Gyms, salons, spas, and entertainment centres were closed.
• Faith services were permitted only outdoors, virtually, or in cars.
• Organized team sports were prohibited, while individual sports such as skiing, skating, and snowmobiling were allowed with distancing maintained.
• Buildings supporting outdoor sports, such as ski lodges, had to maintain 50% capacity, distancing, and masking. Food and drinks could not be served in these settings.
• Public schools shifted to at-home learning.

These restrictions were implemented to slow the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant and relieve pressure on the province's hospital system, which was facing a crisis at the time.

Zone 3's psychiatric services

Zone 3 in New Brunswick encompasses the Fredericton and River Valley Area. This zone includes communities such as Minto, Chipman, Cambridge-Narrows, Oromocto, Gagetown, Fredericton Junction, New Maryland, Kingsclear, Lincoln, Nackawic, McAdam, Canterbury, Douglas, Saint Marys, Doaktown, Florenceville-Bristol, Woodstock, Wakefield.

Community Mental Health Centres in Zone 3 are located in Fredericton (65 Brunswick St) and Woodstock (200 King St). These centres offer services to support individuals with mental health concerns. Additionally, there is a CMHC Satellite Clinic in Perth-Andover (35 F. Tribe Road).

Zone 3 also includes a psychiatric unit within the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital in Fredericton. This unit provides specialised psychiatric care and treatment. The hospital's address is P.O. Box 9000, Fredericton, NB E3B 5N5, and the phone number is (506) 452-5400.

The province of New Brunswick has an Action Plan for Mental Health, which outlines strategies and initiatives to improve mental health services and support recovery-oriented practices.

Zone 3's community centres

Zone 3 in New Brunswick is the Fredericton and River Valley Area. It is one of the seven health zones in New Brunswick, which were established by provincial legislation. The zone includes the following communities:

• Minto, Chipman, Cambridge-Narrows Area
• Oromocto, Gagetown, Fredericton Junction Area
• New Maryland, Kingsclear, Lincoln Area
• Nackawic, McAdam, Canterbury Area
• Douglas, Saint Marys, Doaktown Area
• Florenceville-Bristol, Woodstock, Wakefield Area
• Perth-Andover, Plaster Rock, Tobique Area

Each of these communities has its own unique offerings and resources, including community centres that serve as hubs for social services, recreation, and cultural activities.

One notable community centre in Zone 3 is the Fredericton Community Centre, located at 65 Brunswick St, Fredericton, NB E3B 5G6. This centre offers a range of services and programs for all ages, including fitness classes, art workshops, and community events. It also serves as a gathering space for various social and support groups, fostering a sense of connection and belonging in the community. The centre is easily accessible and welcomes residents from all walks of life.

Another important community hub in Zone 3 is the Woodstock Community Centre, situated at 200 King St, Woodstock, NB E7M 5C6. This centre focuses on promoting healthy and active lifestyles, offering a variety of sports and recreation programs. Residents can enjoy activities such as basketball, yoga, and swimming, as well as special events like community potlucks and cultural festivals. The Woodstock Community Centre is a vibrant space that brings people together and enhances the overall well-being of the area.

In addition to these larger centres, Zone 3 also boasts several smaller community centres that cater to specific neighbourhoods or interests. For example, the Perth-Andover Community Centre, located at 35 F. Tribe Road, Perth-Andover, NB E7H 0A8, offers a more intimate setting for local residents to connect and engage in activities. This centre often hosts workshops, social clubs, and cultural events that reflect the unique character of the Perth-Andover community.

The community centres in Zone 3 play a vital role in fostering social cohesion, providing access to essential services, and promoting healthy lifestyles among residents. They serve as gathering spaces where individuals and families can form meaningful connections, engage in recreational activities, and find support and resources to enhance their overall well-being. These centres are typically run by dedicated staff and volunteers who are passionate about serving their communities and making a positive impact.

Zone 3's catchment areas

Zone 3 in New Brunswick, also known as the Fredericton and River Valley Area, includes several catchment areas. These are the areas of Minto, Chipman, and Cambridge-Narrows; Oromocto, Gagetown, and Fredericton Junction; New Maryland, Kingsclear, and Lincoln; Nackawic, McAdam, and Canterbury; Douglas, Saint Marys, and Doaktown; and Florenceville-Bristol, Woodstock, and Wakefield. Zone 3 is one of seven health zones in New Brunswick, each with its own set of communities.

The boundaries of these health zones are determined by provincial legislation, while the communities within them are created by further dividing the established health zones. This is done to provide a better understanding of local differences and to ensure that each community has a minimum population of 5,000 people for data availability, stability, and anonymity.

In addition to Zone 3, Health Zone 1 covers the Moncton/South-East Area, while Health Zone 2 encompasses the Fundy Shore and Saint John Area. Moving further north, Health Zone 4 covers the Madawaska and North-West Area, while Health Zone 5 is the Restigouche Area. The Acadian Peninsula is covered by Health Zone 6, and finally, Health Zone 7 includes the Miramichi Area.

The health zones in New Brunswick have been modified over time to reflect changing geographic realities and ensure accurate data representation. For instance, in December 2022, an amendment was made to the Regional Health Authorities Act, which redefined the geographic boundaries of the seven health zones in the province.

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