N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 11 new cases, province urged to keep vaccine supply

New Brunswick's opposition parties are criticizing the government for being open to sending some vaccine supply to hard-hit provinces.

The Canadian Medical Association is asking for a diversion of some doses from low-case provinces to hotspots, such as Quebec and Ontario.

Premier Blaine Higgs said Friday he wouldn't want to see fewer shipments, but is willing to discuss the idea. He said some doses could be used in areas of Quebec that border New Brunswick.

But Liberal Leader Roger Melanson, who leads the Official Opposition, said the province needs to consider the outbreak in the Edmundston area and the sacrifices of residents over the past year.

"Let'smake sure that everybody in New Brunswick is immunized through vaccination and then we can consider helping others," he said.

Melanson saidthe province should stick to the current national, population-based formula.

Green Party Leader David Coon is also opposed to the idea.

"Given that such a large proportion of our population is elderly or has chronic diseases, putting them in a high risk category for serious health problems if they become infected by COVID-19, I would not support reducing our share of the vaccines distributed to New Brunswick," he said in a statement.

The New Brunswick Medical Society has also rejected the idea.

11 new cases

New Brunswick is reporting 11 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday.

There are 150 active cases in the province. There are 20 people in hospital related to the virus, 12 in intensive care.

The new cases break down as follows:

In the Edmundston region (Zone 4), there are seven new cases:

• A person in their 20s.
• Two people in their 30s.
• A person in their 40s.
• A person in their 50s.
• A person in their 60s.
• A person in their 70s.

Public Heath said five of those cases are contacts of a previous one, one case is travel-related and the other is under investigation.

In the Saint John region (Zone 2), there are three new cases:

• Two people in their 60s.
• A person in their 70s.

Two are contacts of a previous case and the other is related to travel.

In the Moncton region (Zone 1), there is one new case:

• A person in their 20s.

Public Health said the person is a close contact of a previous case,

New Brunswick has confirmed 1,778 cases since the start of the pandemic, including 1,594 recoveries.There have been 33 deaths.

Public Health conducted 1,355 tests on Friday, for a total of 274,548.

Edmundston hospitalizations

Northwest New Brunswick continues to face a high active case of COVID-19 into the weekend.

There are 113 active cases in Zone 4.

The Edmundston and Haut-Madawaska areas were placed under lockdown restrictions last week.

Saint-Lonard, Grand Falls, Drummond, New Denmark and Four Falls are in the orange level, while Saint-Quentin, Kedgwick and the rest of the province are under the yellow phase.

Most of New Brunswick's hospitalized patients continue to receive treatment at the Edmundston Regional Hospital.

New possible exposures

Public Health has identified possible public exposure to COVID-19 in Moncton and Edmundston:

• Best Western Plus Edmundston, 280 Hbert Blvd., Edmundston, between 3:30-11:30 p.m., on Sunday, April 11, and Monday, April 12.
• Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centreemergency department, 330 Universit, Moncton, between 5:45 a.m. and 1 p.m., on Monday, April 12.
• Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital CentreX-ray department, 330 Universit, Moncton, between 9-11 a.m., on Monday, April 12.

People who were at these areas are eligible to be tested for COVID-19, even if they are not experiencing symptoms.

What to do if you have a symptom

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

Public Health says symptoms shown by people with COVID-19 have included:

• Fever above 38 C.

• New cough or worsening chronic cough.

• Sore throat.

• Runny nose.

• Headache.

• New onset of fatigue, muscle pain, diarrhea, loss of sense of taste or smell.

• 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 Tele-Care 811 or their doctor.

• Describe symptoms and travel history.

• Follow instructions.