N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 0 new cases, 45.4% of eligible population fully vaccinated

New Brunswick reported no new cases of COVID-19 for the third day in a row Thursday, and45.4 per cent of the eligible population isnow fully vaccinated.

Another14,614 doses were administered Wednesday, including 13,070 second doses, bumping the double-dose vaccination rate up from 43.5per cent.

The province's goal under thepath to greenis to have two doses into the arms of at least 75 per cent of New Brunswickers aged 12 or olderby Aug. 2, New Brunswick Day.

Once the threshold is reached, the province will end the state of emergency mandatory order andlift all Public Health restrictions, including masks, provided COVID hospitalizations remain low and all health regions remain at the yellow COVID alert level.

Another1,544 first doses were also administered Wednesday, edging the first-dose vaccination rate up to 78.9 per cent from 78.7 per cent.

A series of mobile walk-in Moderna clinics is being held this week to make getting vaccinated more convenient and accessible.

"We know you're busy so we're coming to you!" the government says in its promotional material on social media.

One of the clinics was held at the Bowlarama in Bathurst on Thursday.

Manager Lynn Vienneausaid there was a strong turnout,with a lineupout to the back parking lot when they opened at 10 a.m.

By lunchtime, more than 100 people had rolled up their sleeves to help "strike out"COVID.

"I think it's great," she said.

"It's a little bit crazy. It's a little bit fun, but that's the kind of place we are, right? We have fun here."

Neil Larsen,a teacher from Bathurst, who was there for his second dose, thought it was hilarious.

"I never would have guessed it would have been at a bowling alley, but I just live two blocks down," he said. "So it couldn't have been any easier."

He was in and out in five minutes, he said. "And I got a [$5] gift card" for the bowling alley's arcade.

Patrice Guitard, ofPointe-Verte, said the pop-up clinic was perfectfor him.

Although he already had an appointment booked fornext Monday, he appreciated getting his second dose sooner.

"I'm going on vacation pretty soon and I want [the shot]before, [to] make sure I don't have much reaction," he said.

Coleen Riordon, of Bathurst, also had a second-dose appointment already booked for Saturday, but she can't make it.

"So this was great," she said. "It's quick and it's over with."

Riordonwantedto be fully vaccinated so she can travel to Mexico as soon as possible.

Shethinks the convenience of the pop-up walk-in clinics will help the province reach its 75 per cent vaccination goal.

"I think they should be everywhere and people need to get it over and done with and get back to normal life."

Pauline Roy, of Beresford, wasgrateful for the makeshift clinic at the bowling alley.

"I feel good," she said, after receiving her second dose. "I'm very glad."

Bowlaramahad contacted the government and offered to host a clinic, according to the manager.

"It was important just to be part of the community" andto"help the cause," Vienneau said.

"We all want to get back to somewhat normal living and like through vaccination, I believe that that's how we're going to get back to what we used to do."

Bathurst Bowlarama hosts vaccine clinic

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Lynn Vienneau, Bowlarama manager in Bathurst, said the vaccine clinic they hosted was a success.

The clinic was open until 4 p.m. with about 300 dosesavailable to be administered.

A walk-in clinic was also held inSaint Andrews on Thursday at the town hall parking lot.

Wednesday's clinic in Paquetville saw307 doses administered, said Department of Health spokesperson Bruce Macfarlane.

Otherwalk-in clinics, which areoffering the Modernavaccine as first or second doses, are scheduled for:

• Blacks HarbourFundy Arena, 6 Arena St., Friday, from9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• DieppeBowlarama, 476GauvinRd., Saturday,from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Anyone over the age of 12 is eligible to receive aCOVID-19 vaccine. Theycanbookan appointment onlinethrough a Horizon orVitalithealth network clinic orthrough aparticipating pharmacy.

People are eligible for a second dose onceat least 28 dayshave passed since their first dose.

They are asked to bring a copy of the record of immunization they received after gettingtheir first dose, asigned consent formandtheir Medicare card.

People who booked an appointment but were able to get vaccinated sooner elsewhere are askedto cancel the appointment they no longer need.

"This will help ensure that someone else in your community can obtain their vaccination sooner," Public Health said in a statement.

9 active cases

The number ofactive cases of COVID-19 in the province has dropped tosingle digits, at nine, Public Health reported Thursday.

The last time New Brunswick reported an active case count below 10 wason Oct. 6, 2020, said Department of Health spokesperson Bruce Macfarlane. Five active cases were noted on that day.

Twopeopleremain in hospital with the respiratory disease,neither in intensive care.

New Brunswick has had 2,336 confirmed cases of the respiratory diseasesince the pandemic began, with 2,280recoveries so far and 46COVID-related deaths.

A total of366,927tests have been conducted, including695 on Wednesday.

There are no new public exposure notices. Previous public exposure notices can be found on thegovernment of New Brunswick's website.

Atlantic COVID roundup

Nova Scotia reported two new cases of COVID-19 on Thursdayand has 39 active cases.

Newfoundland and Labrador has no new cases and remains at 14 active cases.

Prince Edward Island has no new cases and at last report had two active cases.

What to do if you have a symptom

People concerned they might have COVID-19 cantake a self-assessment test online.

Public Health says symptoms of the illness have included a fever above 38 C, a new or worsening cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, a new onset of fatigue, and difficulty breathing.

In children, symptoms have also included purple markings on the fingers and toes.

People with one of those symptoms should stay at home, call Call Tele-Care 811 or their doctor, and follow instructions.