N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Eight new cases reported Wednesday, three zones affected

Eight new cases of COVID-19 were reported Wednesday, affecting the Moncton, Edmundston and Fredericton regions.

All of the cases are self-isolating and are as follows: 

One case in the Moncton region (Zone 1):

• an individual 20 to 29, whose case is related to international travel 

Five cases in the Fredericton region (Zone 3):

• two people 19 or under 
• an individual 20 to 29 
• two people 30 to 39

Of these, three are close contacts of a previously confirmed case, one is related to international travel and one is under investigation.

Two cases in the Edmundston region (Zone 4):

• an individual 20 to 29 
• an individual 30 to 39

Both are close contacts of a previously confirmed case. 

The number of confirmed cases in New Brunswick is 567 and 507 have recovered. Eight people have died from COVID-19 and one person who tested positive also died, but not as a result of COVID-19.

There are currently 51 active cases in the province and three people in hospital, two of them in intensive care.

As of today, 142, 228 tests have been conducted, including 946 since the last report Tuesday. The Edmundston region remains at the orange level of COVID-19 recovery, while the rest of the province is at the less restrictive yellow level.

You might need to wear that mask until summer, or longer

Life will return to normal once 75 per cent of the population receives a vaccine against COVID-19. And that won't be for another year at least, says an epidemiologist who has been following New Brunswick's experience with the illness.

But that doesn't mean the COVID-19 virus won't exist. 

"It doesn't mean people won't catch it, but it won't spread so much person to person," said Colin Furness, an infection control epidemiologist with the University of Toronto.

The first 1,950 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine arrived at the Miramichi Regional Hospital on Tuesday

The doses will be administered to members of priority groups this weekend at an immunization clinic at the hospital.

Among the first recipients will be health care staff from around the province who will have to travel to Miramichi. Others will be residents of two Shannex nursing homes in Miramichi.

But there are still a lot of questions surrounding the new vaccine. 

It's not approved for kids. And researchers don't know if the vaccine prevents disease or getting sick from it.

"If you're exposed to COVID after you've been vaccinated, you'll still get infected. The virus doesn't know any better." he said.

"And your body will clear it very quickly … during those couple days you might be contagious. We don't know."

So what does this mean for New Brunswickers?

Furness said they should expect to wear their masks for six months at the earliest. 

COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer-BioNTech arrives at Miramichi Regional Hospital

4 years ago

Duration 0:54

A batch of 1,950 doses of COVID-19 vaccine has arrived at the Miramichi Regional Hospital, where it will be stored at -80 C.

"You need to get used to wearing that mask until summertime at least."

He said regular shopping without lengthy lines could come as early as June — when the virus tends to retreat because of the heat. And seniors could gather as early as March because they're high on the priority list to get the vaccine. 

"This has been really tough on seniors," he said. "That would be a great milestone."

And he's not entirely optimistic large gatherings like festivals and concerts will be able to happen by next summer.

"I would think in a year from now, that ought to be OK, but this is of course all speculation,"

How New Brunswickers should treat Christmas

As Christmas nears, New Brunswickers don't need to lock themselves in their basements.

"I don't think that's reasonable for New Brunswick," said Colin Furness, an infection control epidemiologist with the University of Toronto.

But he is saying we need to limit the number of people we come into contact with.

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He's recommending New Brunswickers keep their bubbles small this holiday season.

"It's less risky when you see the same people over and over."

And he guarantees there will be a rise in COVID-19 cases after university students return to school after being home for the holidays because "COVID will move."

"There's a mathematical relationship," he said. "The more population mixing … the greater risk of spread."

Exposure notification

Public Health added three new flights Friday to its list of possible exposures. A person who has tested positive may have been infectious while travelling on Dec. 4 on the following flights:

• Air Canada Flight 8372 from Fort McMurray to Calgary.
• Air Canada Flight 144 from Calgary to Toronto.
• Air Canada Flight 8918 from Toronto to Moncton.

Anyone who travelled on these flights should "continue to follow the directives given to them during the travel registration process and when they entered New Brunswick," the advisory said.

What to do if you have a symptom

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

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, 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.