More than a dozen schools close in New Brunswick as COVID-19 cases continue to rise

“Frankly, the situation is getting out of hand. … Regularly testing children, especially those under 12 who cannot be vaccinated, will have the most impact on the spread of the virus.”

Bourque said the province obtained 1.15 million rapid tests and has used just over half of them.

Meanwhile, New Brunswick is also reporting a rising number of hospitalizations, with 49 people in hospital with COVID-19 and 21 in intensive care. On Saturday, New Brunswick reported its highest single-day increase for COVID-19 infections, with 140 new cases recorded and an additional four deaths attributed to the virus.

In Nova Scotia, health authorities reported 86 new cases over the weekend, with 77 per cent of them reported in the central zone, which includes Halifax. New cases were also reported in the province’s other three health zones.

The 67 new cases in the central zone were linked to community spread, primarily among unvaccinated people aged 20 to 40 who are taking part in social activities, the province said.

As well, seven Nova Scotia schools were notified of COVID-19 exposures on the weekend. No schools have been closed, but about a dozen have imposed limits on non-essential visitors, extracurricular activities and movement within buildings.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, health officials reported 15 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, 13 of them in the central region.

Almost 90 per cent of the province’s active cases were in the central region, where an investigation has been underway since Sept. 20. Clusters have been detected in Baie Verte, Twillingate, Bishop’s Falls and Botwood.

Among the province’s 160 active cases, 14 involved people recovering in hospital, including seven in critical care.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 4, 2021.

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

More than a dozen schools close in New Brunswick as COVID-19 cases continue to rise

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