COVID-19: NB reports 6 deaths, nearly 500 health workers isolated – New Brunswick | The Canadian News

New Brunswick on Wednesday reported six more deaths related to COVID-19, and 137 people in the hospital who tested positive for the virus.

The province notes that 80 of those admitted to the hospital for reasons other than COVID-19.

There are eight people in intensive care. Of those in the hospital, 107 are 60 and older, and four people are under the age of 19.

The deaths included a person in their 80s in Zone 1 (Moncton area), a person in their 80s in Zone 3 (Fredericton area), a person in their 80s and a person 90 and older in Zone 6 ( Bathurst Region) and a person in their 40s and a person in their 80s in Zone 7 (Miramichi Region).

There are also 489 healthcare workers currently isolated after testing positive for the virus. This is an increase of seven people since Tuesday.

The province’s data dashboard shows 520 new PCR laboratory-confirmed cases and 691 self-reported positive results of rapid tests.

Booster deployment

Meanwhile, more than 40 percent of the qualifying New Brunswickers – or 303,000 people – have received their COVID-19 booster dose.

Booster shots are available for people 18 years and older, as long as five months have passed since their second shot.

The province continues to encourage children aged five to 11 to be vaccinated. To date, 55.3 percent of qualifying children have received their first dose.

Schools are tentatively scheduled to resume personal learning on January 31st.

It is also the tentative date on which the province must enter Level 2 of its winter plan. In an information session on Wednesday, Health Minister Dorothy Shephard said “the modeling looks good” to do so, but that an update will come later this week.

Meanwhile, New Brunswick remains in Level 3 of its winter plan. Restrictions include keeping bubbles for single households, banning indoor meals at restaurants, and closing gyms, spas and salons.

1:42Response to New Brunswick’s return to personal classes