Methinks Higgy, the SANB/liberal dude Deschamps and her buddy Vicky Baby should explain Federal Court File No. T-1557-15 to the folks real slow sometime N'esy Pas?
P.E.I.'s chief public health officer Dr. Heather Morrison, said the woman landed at the Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport, and drive home to the island. (Rick Gibbs/CBC)
No new cases of COVID-19 were reported in New Brunswick on Sunday, but a P.E.I woman who landed at the Greater Moncton Roméo LeBlanc International Airport earlier this month has tested positive for the virus.
Dr. Heather Morrison, P.E.I's chief public health officer, confirmed a third case of COVID-19 on the Island during a news briefing Sunday.
A woman in her 20s flew from Toronto to Moncton on March 16. It was the WestJet 3456 flight, which departed from Toronto at 8:35 a.m. and arrived in Moncton at 12:05 p.m.
All people who were on that flight have been asked to self-isolate for two weeks.
The woman who tested positive had flown to Toronto from Spain.
In a news release, the province said there are still 17 cases of COVID-19 in New Brunswick, including eight confirmed cases and nine presumptive. (Office of the Premier)
Once she arrived at the Moncton airport, she travelled by vehicle to P.E.I.
Morrison said the woman has "very mild symptoms."
She had self-isolated in a Toronto hotel during her travels home, as opposed to staying with friends or family. She went directly into self-isolation upon returning to P.E.I., Morrison said.
17 cases in New Brunswick
In a news release, the Department of Health said there are still 17 cases of COVID-19 in New Brunswick, including eight confirmed cases and nine presumptive.
These figures are a clarification of two earlier statements by the department, on both Saturday and Sunday, that put the total number of confirmed cases at nine, and the probable cases at eight. The total number of cases, 17, remains unchanged.
A total of 865 tests so far have come back negative for the virus.
In the same release, the government said everyone entering the province will be given a brochure explaining the measures, including business closures, that Premier Blaine Higgs announced last Thursday night when he declared a state of emergency because of the coronavirus.
The release did not indicate whether New Brunswick might follow in the steps of the Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia governments, which are now requiring people coming into their provinces to isolate themselves for 14 days.
Nova Scotia declared a state of emergency Sunday morning. Anyone who has travelled outside the province, including to neighbouring New Brunswick, will need to self-isolate for two weeks.
Exceptions will be made for people working in essential services, health care or law enforcement. Trucking is also considered an essential service.
Prince Edward Island made a similar announcement the day before. The Island will be screening anyone entering the province and will also be directing them to self-isolate for 14 days, chief public health officer Dr. Heather Morrison said.
Prince Edward Island will be screening anyone entering the province and will also be directing them to self-isolate for 14 days. (Brian Higgins/CBC)
P.E.I.will be setting up screening checkpoints, including the Confederation Bridge, which is shared with New Brunswick.
These measures have not been put in place in New Brunswick. But CBC News asked Higgs Sunday if his government will follow suit.
The New Brunswick government reminded the public Sunday that all non-essential travel between Canada and the United States is restricted until further notice.
Six new presumptive cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed in New Brunswick, and two previous presumptive cases have now been confirmed. (Reuters)
"People who are returning to New Brunswick from international travel are required to self-isolate at home for 14 days. This means they must not make any stops, including at the grocery store or pharmacy," the release said.
"They must go directly home and connect with a relative, friend or volunteer to help them with any required errands."
Here is a roundup of other developments.
Someone you know violating rules?
The government was expected to have a phone line and email set up Sunday for people to call "for advice on their concerns of how to help family members and neighbours comply with the state of emergency orders," according to Premier Blaine Higgs.
That phone line will now be available on Monday.
"In the meantime, concerned individuals can remind returning travellers of their responsibility to do their part to keep everyone safe by staying in their homes," the government said Sunday.
Higgs said the phone number and email would be available on the government website and shared through social media
If residents have workplace concerns, they can contact Worksafe NB at 1-800-999-9775.
No briefing from premier today
Premier Blaine Higgs and Dr. Jennifer Russell, the chief medical officer of health, did not hold a news conference today to update the public on the COVID-19 outbreak.
The next news conference will be Monday at 2:30 p.m. in Fredericton.
For the past week, Higgs and Russell have scheduled daily briefings about the coronavirus and the constantly changing situation in the province.
The briefings have also been an opportunity for the news media to ask a limited number of questions. However, the premier did release an online video on Sunday afternoon, reminding people to stay home.
"Our lives have been disrupted and while we will get through this, I know that it's been difficult," he said. "As your government, we're making adjustments constantly to make sure you are kept healthy and safe."
2nd testing centre for Saint John
A second mobile COVID-19 testing centre has been set up in Saint John at the HOPE Wellness Centre on Loch Lomond Road. The new centre opened on the weekend.
CBC has asked Horizon Health why a second location was needed in the city but hasn't received a response.
The other location is at the North End Wellness Centre on Victoria Street. It was moved there from its original intended location at Saint John's Exhibition Park in east Saint John last week.
Dr. Jennifer Russell, has emphasized the importance of people taking care of themselves during this stressful time by eating healthy, exercising and getting enough sleep. (Photo: Mike Heenan/CBC)
At the time, Horizon Health vice-president Jean Daigle said the clinic's new location provided a more "central, accessible location to the most vulnerable segments of the city's population."
COVID-19 testing centres are operating in cities and towns across the province.
Here are the locations:
Moncton at the Moncton City Hospital in the Professional Arts Building parking lot on Macbeath Avenue.
Miramichi at the Miramichi Health Centre (behind the Miramichi Medical Arts Centre) on King George Highway.
Fredericton at the former Daily Gleaner building on Prospect Street.
Plaster Rock at the Tobique Valley Community Health Centre on Main Street.
Vitalité Health Network has eight COVID-19 testing centres across the province. They are located at:
Grand Falls General Hospital.
Hôtel-Dieu Saint-Joseph de Saint-Quentin.
Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont UHC.
Stella-Maris-de-Kent Hopital.
Edmundston Regional Hospital.
Campbellton Regional Hospital.
Chaleur Regional Hospital.
Tracadie Hospital.
All screening is done by appointment only and only after a triage is done by calling Tele-Care 811 or by a family physician.
Church at home
As the COVID-19 outbreak continues, many churches across the province closed their doors to the public Sunday.
Some have come up with creative ways to speak to their congregations, including using online services such as Zoom, YouTube and Facebook.
There will be a special segment for the CHILDREN of MVC towards the beginning of our Facebook Live church service! Make sure that your children are watching for there will be a special announcement! 💥🤩
Churches like Smythe Street Cathedral in Fredericton are streaming their services online. Others, such as Corbett Avenue Wesleyan Church and Wilmot United Church in Fredericton, are offering taped versions of services.
COVID-19 by the numbers
In Canada, there are now more than 1,200 confirmed cases, and at least 19 deaths, including four deaths announced at the same Quebec care home.
Worldwide, more than 307,000people have now contracted the novel coronavirus and at least 12,944 have died, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. For most, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms.
But it can cause more severe illness in others, especially older adults and people with existing health conditions. Some 92,000 people have recovered, mostly in China, where the virus first struck late last year.
Italy on Sunday reported nearly 800 deaths in one day. The country has more than 50,000 cases and 4,825 deaths.
What to do if you have any symptoms?
Symptoms of coronavirus can include fever or cough. In this case, residents should:
Stay at home.
Immediately call Tele-Care 811.
Describe symptoms and travel history.
Follow instructions carefully.
Remember the self-assessment tool
A new link that offers a COVID-19 self-assessment tool has been added to the Department of Health's website.
The assessment tool has three parts with different coloured flags for the degree of symptoms:
Red: Need help now
Yellow: Need help soon
Green: You can do the care at home.
Each category asks you to respond to a series of self-assessment questions and then act based on the answers. This will help New Brunswickers determine if they should call the 811 line. This will also help reduce the volume of calls.
About 5,500 people have already used the new online self-assessment tool launched Friday by the government, according to Russell.
This has helped reduce the number of calls to Tele-Care 811, which has allowed the health-care professionals to assist callers "more promptly,"medical officer Jennifer Russell said.
Matt Steele Closing the provincial borders to recreational traffic is a wise idea ; Higgs should have done the same thing with Quebec , but he failed to do so for whatever reason .
Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @Matt Steele: Yet most that tested positive are from the south part of the province.
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: A larger portion of the population is in the southern part of the province. I wouldn't be surprised if Higgs places restrictions on people coming in from Quebec and points west, both by land and by air.
Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: Nothing coming from this CORservative government would surprise me.
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Yeah, but this would be one of the rare issues on which I agree with Higgs!
Greg Miller
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Really? You would rather have Vickers at the helm????? Think about it!
Marguerite Deschamps
Reply to @Greg Miller: Yup!
David Amos
Reply to @Greg Miller: Methinks Higgy, the SANB/liberal dude Deschamps and her buddy Vicky Baby should explain Federal Court File NO t-1557-15 to the folks real slow sometime N'esy Pas?
Dave Shimla Reply to @Matt Steele: 219 cases in quebec and climbing- close the borders! Marguerite, you can go there to visit as well. :)
David Amos
Reply to @Dave Shimla: Methinks you will hear nothing but crickets coming from the corners where Steele and Deschamps hide N'esy Pas?
N.B. party leaders come together in time of crisis
In this week's Political Panel, leaders discuss province's response to COVID-19
Jordan Gill· CBC News· Posted: Mar 20, 2020 12:07 PM AT
Premier Blaine Higgs placed the province under a state of emergency Thursday. (Submitted by Government of New Brunswick )
Listen to the full CBC New Brunswick Political Panel podcast by downloading from the CBC Podcast page or subscribing to the podcast in iTunes. In normal times it would seem bizarre that the legislature's four political parties could come together and actually agree, but these aren't normal times.
On this week's Political Panel, leaders from all four parties represented in the legislature talked about the shared response to COVID-19.
On Thursday Premier Blaine Higgs announced the province would be placed under a state of emergency.
This means the province now has the power to order businesses to close and keep people from congregating.
Higgs said the decision was made when questions were raised about how seriously New Brunswickers were taking the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We're seeing people still congregating, we're seeing people still going shopping," said Higgs.
There are seven confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Brunswick and four presumptive cases, the chief medical officer of health announced Thursday. (Photo: CBC News)
"It's like, all right, is this panic buying…or is this like 'are people taking this seriously'?"
Liberal Leader Kevin Vickers, a man who less than a month ago swore to do all he could to bring down the Higgs government, praised the premier for his response to the pandemic.
"Kudos to Premier Higgs and his leadership on this," said Vickers.
All leaders are part of a committee on the COVID-19 response, which has led to some "robust" discussions according to Green Party Leader David Coon.
"I think it's really important that citizens in the province understand that this committee is extremely engaged, very lively," said Coon.
"There's no shrinking violets on that committee."
Green Party Leader David Coon said the all-party committee on COVID-19 has had some robust discussions over the last week. (Jacques Poitras/CBC)
People's Alliance Leader Kris Austin said having all parties at the table means the best ideas are put forward.
"It really does give different angles which, you know, gives a greater opportunity to get this right," said Austin.
Higgs commended his fellow party leaders on their leadership.
"I think [it's] been a great testament of what's possible in times of crisis," said Higgs.
Kevin Cormier Like many, I too agree that Premier Higgs is doing a good job. Now we just need to "enforce" the declaration and fine a few people/businesses.
Kevin Cormier
Reply to @Kevin Cormier: also, why are there 4 smaller zones up north yet 3 large zones in the south? Really 2 zones in the north is all that is needed.
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @Kevin Cormier: These are the health regions that have been set up for decades. The infrastructure to track and communicate information depends on the existing zones. Right now isn't a good time to be changing them around.
David Amos
Reply to @Kevin Cormier: Methinks everybody knows that your hero Higgy and I are political foes. That simple fact caused Higgy, his minions and all his political cohorts no matter what party they are members to go out of their way to ignore my well being. The boss of the PANB even laughed at the fact that Higgy refused to remove the "Stay" the liberals put on my Medicare Card years ago and I had to pay the emergency room bills and the doctor fees out of pocket. Hence I have every right to sue Higgy et al for their poor decisions with regards to my personal Health Care N'esy Pas?
Michel Forgeron I’ve only voted PC with two leaders in the past – Hatfield (NB), Mulroney (Fed). But I must admit Higgs is doing a good job handling this situation.
David Amos
Reply to @Michel Forgeron: Who cares how you voted?
Shawn Tabor It Business as usual in the town of Sussex, take a drive through the town. Everything is open. Restaurants have their open signs on, variety stores are open. Feels like, maybe a Sunday at best. Check it out. LOL.
Lou Bell
Reply to @Shawn Tabor: They're " entitled " !
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: So you say
Billy Sturgeon It’s great to see everyone getting along for the betterment of our province. It’s unfortunate it takes a crisis to make this happen. Mr Higgs is a true leader and Mr Coon is also a decent man. I love to see Vickers squirm around now.
Pierre Cyr
Reply to @Billy Sturgeon: Lets just hope the other leaders can prevent Higgs from making anymore mistakes like telling healthcare workers to got straight to work before March 13th. A decision made to save on overtime no doubt. Once a penny pincher for the Irvings always a penny pincher.
Pierre Cyr
Reply to @Pierre Cyr: To be clear those were healthcare workers coming back from abroad on vacation.
Paul Estey
Reply to @Billy Sturgeon: I agree with most everything you have stated Billy. I truly believe that all leaders have qualities that can be brought to the table on other aspects relating to our Province to move this Province forward on issues other than Covid19. Maybe trying to discuss and collaborate on these other issues instead of bickering and trying to get the upper hand would truly put us on a better footing nationally.
Lou Bell
Reply to @Billy Sturgeon: No , you're not being clear or honest . He said no such thing and one should be ashamed for falsely doing so
Lou Bell
Reply to @Pierre Cyr: Those were workers who had to cross into Maine for work related business and DIDN'T need to isolate . Comprehension isn' t really that hard Pete !
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks it strange that you post such things so easily in light of the fact that cognitive dissonance appears to be your only forte N'esy Pas?
Brian Robertson Not being able to criticize the PCs must just be killing the Liberals.
Brian Robertson
Reply to @Josef Blow: Did I hit a nerve their Bro? Or is cabin fever starting to get you down?
Josef Blow
Reply to @Brian Robertson: No feathers ruffled here, « Bro ». Simply bewildered at how trite and insignificant some low-wattage peeps can be.
Brian Robertson
Reply to @Josef Blow: Such condescension from an out of power liberal. A little humility would go a long way towards Liberals gaining some votes.
David Amos
Reply to @Brian Robertson: Methinks you should not take a dude with such a name seriously N'esy Pas?
Lou Bell Good to see all are on board . Higgs budget had won approval and was going to be approved with the Green leaders approval whether the crisis was here or not , so good to see all leaders acknowledge he won fair and square and time for all to suck it up and tackle the crisis head on.
