COVID-19: NB reports another death, 12 in ICU as circuit breaker begins – New Brunswick | The Canadian News

New Brunswick reported a total of 113 active COVID-19 hospitalizations and one additional death on Saturday.

The death involved an individual in his 70s in the Edmundston region.

There are currently 12 people in intensive care, including two on a ventilator. A person age 19 or younger is hospitalized.

Of those hospitalized, 60 were initially admitted for reasons other than COVID-19, according to a statement.

“The rate of people hospitalized and in the ICU continues to affect people who are not vaccinated and those who are more than six months from their second dose,” the province said.

Officials also reported 409 new PCR-confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 644 positives on rapid tests, although they note that “test counts are self-reported and may not be accurate.”

Public Health said in the statement that more than 31,400 booster appointments have been booked since Monday, when eligibility was opened to anyone over the age of 18.

“People who are fully vaccinated and have a booster dose have additional protection to help prevent serious illness from the Omicron variant,” Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health, said in the statement.

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“People over the age of 50 in particular should make an appointment for their booster right away if they haven’t already done so.”

All provincial health zones entered Level 3 of the COVID-19 winter plan on Friday night. This 16-day breaker is expected to remain until January 30 at 11:59 p.m.

On Thursday, officials said reducing the number of hospitalizations is critical for New Brunswick.

“It’s going to be a tough two weeks, but we have to get this done,” Prime Minister Blaine Higgs said at Thursday’s briefing.

Level 3 restrictions include the following:

• single family bubble
• No indoor public gatherings
• Closure of gyms, spas and entertainment centers.
• Restaurants may operate for takeout and delivery only
• Encouraged the use of contactless curbside pickup and/or designating a person in the household to shop if feasible to reduce contacts
• Religious places can only hold services outdoors, virtual or in the car
• Organized sports not allowed
• Organized sports and all other organized activities are not allowed with people outside of a single household bubble.
• Outdoor exercise or activities such as skiing, skating, or snowmobiling are allowed, as long as public health measures are followed and you are within your single-family home bubble.
• Hostels and other facilities that support outdoor sport must not exceed 50 percent capacity and must not allow food or drink to be consumed indoors.

The province also says home learning will be extended for another week. Students will return to classrooms on January 31.

Dr. Russell pleaded with New Brunswick residents not to look for loopholes in the coming weeks.

“It is no exaggeration to say that this is a matter of life and death,” he said Thursday.

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