N.B. COVID-19 roundup: 4 new cases, UNB Fredericton confirms cases

New Brunswick is reporting four new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday.

There are 130 active cases in the province. Eight people are in hospital, including three in intensive care.

The new cases break down as follows:

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

• A person in their 20s.
• A person in their 50s.

Public Health said both are contacts of previous cases.

In the Saint John region (Zone 2), there is one new case:

• A person in their 20s, who is a contact of a previous case.

In the Fredericton region (Zone 3), there is one new case:

• A person in their 30s, under investigation.

There are 17 active cases in the Moncton region (Zone 1), 15 in the Saint John region (Zone 2), 10 in the Fredericton region (Zone 3), 76 in the Edmundston region (Zone 4), 11 in the Bathurst region (Zone 6), and one in the Miramichi region (Zone 7).

The Campbellton region (Zone 5) is the only area in the province reporting no active cases.

Public Health has conducted a total of 283,334 tests.

The latest cases come as the province tightens travel restrictions.

Cases at UNB Fredericton

The University of New Brunswick's Fredericton campus has confirmed it has new cases of COVID-19. It didn't say how many.

Spokesperson Heather Campbell said the cases are within Magee House, a student residence.

The building houses students 21 years and older and welcomes families and children. It has about 100 apartment units, according to the UNB website.

Campbell said the university is working with Public Health and taking guidance from them.

"Due to strict confidentiality and privacy concerns, UNB is provided with only the necessary information required to support contact tracing," she said in an email.

Tighter travel restrictions

New Brunswick rolled out new self-isolation rules for leisure travellers, rotational workers and truckers.

The changes took effect Saturday night.

Rotational workers are now required to self-isolate for 14 days, away from others, regardless of vaccination status.

Daily cross-border commuters and truck drivers must now follow a modified self-isolation, staying at home for 14 days. They are allowed to isolate with members of their household present.

A group of truckers gathered at the border between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to protest the changes on Sunday. They waved signs and briefly gathered in the middle of the road.

All non-essential travellers, including business travellers and people moving to the province, will have to self-isolate for at least seven days at a designated hotel. 

The Canadian Red Cross is managing the quarantine hotels and travellers will have to pay about $200 per day for a stay of at least seven days. They will be able to finish isolating at home with negative test results.

The province said travellers should call the Red Cross directly, not hotels, to make a reservation at 1-800-863-6582.

Public Health released a list of designated isolation hotels on Sunday. They include The Hilton in Saint John; Hyatt Place in Moncton; the Delta in Fredericton; Canada's Best Value Inn in Woodstock; The Rodd in Miramichi; The Best Western in Bathurst; and the Quality Inn in Campbellton.

Red Cross spokesperson Allie Murchison said people have started to register, but couldn't say how many people have booked.

She said no travellers were staying in an isolation hotel as of Sunday afternoon.

New possible public exposure

New Brunswick Public Health is reporting two new possible exposures to COVID-19 in the Fredericton and Woodstock areas:

• April 21 between noon-4 p.m. – Shoppers Drug Mart (1040 Prospect St., Fredericton)
• March 31 – Murray's Irving Big Stop  (198 Beardsley Rd., Beardsley)

People who were at these locations 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 can take 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.