New Brunswick reports 14 new cases of COVID-19, travel advisories issued

New Brunswick officials announced 14 new cases of COVID-19 in the province Sunday, all linked to outbreaks in Moncton and Campbellton.

In response to the rise in active cases, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador issued advisories urging residents to avoid travelto those two regions of New Brunswick.

The cases in the Campbellton region (Zone 5) are three people between the ages of 30 and 39, two people between 50 and 59, and five people between 60 and 69.

The new cases are related to an outbreak in the region, which now has 30 active cases. One of them was the thirdat a school in the province, with the L.E. Reinsborough School in Dalhousie reporting a positive case.

Four of the cases are individuals in the Moncton region (Zone 1) between the ages of 70and 79. Those are all connected to the outbreak at Manoir Notre-Dame, a special care home.

There are now 71 active cases in the province, 34 coming in the last two updates. Five people are in the hospital with one in intensive care.

Public Health says all the new cases are self-isolating.

Both regions were forced back into the orange recovery phase Friday, which includes tighter restrictions for businesses. Masks are also required in all indoor and outdoor public places.

The outbreak in the Campbellton region has risen to 30 active cases while the Moncton outbreak is now at 37 active cases.

New Brunswickers are advised to avoid all non-essential travel in and out of the orange zones.

The government of Newfoundland and Labrador is also asking residents who travel to areas under orange restrictions to self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days after returning to the province. It asks travellers not to attend gatherings and avoid crowded public places during that time period.

Dr. Heather Morrison, Prince Edward Island's chief medical officer, encouraged residents also to follow New Brunswick's directives discouraging travel in the orange zones.

Two new cases were announced on P.E.I. Sunday and are unrelated to the outbreaks in the Campbellton and Moncton regions.

Morrison said Islanders returning from these regions should wear a mask at all times when leaving their house. She said individuals who work in long-term care facilities should be especially cautious and stay home if they feel unwell.

New Brunswick conducted 766 tests Saturday for a total of 84,847. There have been 272 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Brunswick since the start of the pandemic. There have been two deaths and 199 have recovered.

Atlantic bubble monitored

P.E.I. continues to monitor the situation with the Atlantic bubble, according to the statement.

Morrison said the situation in New Brunswick could happen on the island, and called on residents not to "let their guard down."

"I am very concerned about the evolving situation in New Brunswick and I am strongly urging Islanders to follow public health measures here at home, as well as public health measures and travel warnings that are in place in destinations they are planning to visit," shesaid.

There is no evidence of community spread on Prince Edward Island.

Newfoundland and Labrador continues to closely monitor the situation in New Brunswick, according to a statement from the Department of Health and Community Services.

"While travel within the Atlantic Bubble is permitted, this guidance is being issued by the Chief Medical Officer of Health out of an abundance of caution," the department said."Newfoundland and Labrador remains part of the Atlantic Bubble and there is no evidence to support leaving the bubble at this time."

The province said if the situation in these regions changes"further measures" may be needed.

Thanksgiving travel

Public Health says those who already entered the Campbellton or Moncton regions for the holiday weekend should observe all orange-level requirements for 14 days after returning home.

Those guidelines include limiting contacts to a two-household bubble, avoiding gatherings, wearing a mask at all indoor and outdoor public places, and being vigilant in self-monitoring for symptoms and getting tested if they develop.

Public Health also asked those hunting and fishing to avoid the orange regions,and wear a mask in the event of close contact with others outdoors. This is required for those who live in the orange zones.

Exposure notification

Public Health isasking anyone who visited the Centre Pre-Patrice-Leblanc on Murphy Avenue in Moncton during specific times on Oct. 4 to self-monitor.

People who visited this location between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 4 should self-monitor for 14 days. Should any COVID-19 symptoms develop, they are directed to self-isolate and use an online self-assessment tool or call 811 to get tested.

What to do if you have a symptom

People concerned they might have COVID-19 symptoms can take a self-assessment test on the government website at gnb.ca.

Public Health says symptoms shown by people with COVID-19 have included: a fever above 38 C, a new cough or worsening chronic cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache, new onset of fatigue, new onset of muscle pain, diarrhea, loss of sense of taste or smell, and difficulty breathing.

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

People with one of those symptoms are asked to:

• Stay at home.

• Call Tele-Care 811 or their doctor.

• Describe symptoms and travel history.

• Follow instructions.