Doctor linked to Campbellton COVID-19 cluster says he made 'an error in judgment'
Dr. Jean-Robert Ngola says he's now the target of racist harassment
CBC News· Posted: Jun 02, 2020 11:42 AM AT
Campbellton doctor says he isn't sure how he got the coronavirus and has never shown symptoms. (Guy LeBlanc/Radio-Canada)
The doctor at the centre of a COVID-19 outbreak in the Campbellton area says he's not sure whether he picked up the coronavirus during a trip to Quebec or from a patient in his office.
Dr. Jean Robert Ngola made the comments to Radio-Canada's program La Matinale on Tuesday morning — his first media interview since the emergence of 12 new cases in the northern New Brunswick health region starting May 21. Before then, it had been two weeks since the province had an active case.
Ngola, who has been suspended, said he decided to speak out because he's become the target of daily racist verbal attacks and false reports to police and feels abandoned by Public Health officials.
He has been working as a doctor in Campbellton since 2013. He previously practised in Europe and in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Dr. Jean-Robert Ngola practises at the Campbellton Regional Hospital in northern New Brunswick. (Shane Fowler/CBC)
Ngola said he did not self-isolate after returning from an overnight return trip to Quebec to pick up his four-year-old daughter. Her mother had to travel to Africa for her father's funeral.
"What was I supposed to do," he said in French. "Leave her there alone?"
Ngola said he drove straight there and back with no stops and had no contact with anyone. He said none of his family members had any COVID-19 symptoms at the time.
He returned to work at the Campbellton Regional Hospital the next day.
"Maybe it was an error in judgment," said Ngola, pointing out that workers, including nurses who live in Quebec, cross the border each day with no 14-day isolation period required.
"Who hasn't made an error in judgment?" he said. "That's why I have compassion towards everyone."
'How many people are unwitting carriers?'
Ngola said he received a call from a Public Health official on May 25 informing him one of his patients had tested positive.
He has about 2,000 patients at his clinic, about 1,500 of them active.
Ngola had seen the man May 19 for a prescription renewal or something that did not require any touching or a physical exam. He said the man had no COVID-19 symptoms and was wearing a mask.
Ngola said he immediately called the patient, who had cold-like symptoms and was doing OK.
He said he cancelled his shift that night at the hospital and got a test for himself and his daughter. Neither of them were showing symptoms. But they both tested positive.
Ngola said he still doesn't know how they were infected.
"Who can say? ... The virus is circulating everywhere. … How many people are unwitting carriers?"
Hate messages pour in, doctor says
He said one hour after he spoke with hospital and Public Health officials about his contacts to facilitate the investigation and protect the public, his name, face and address were being advertised all over the internet as "the bad doctor who brought the virus to kill people."
Ngola said that's not who he is.
"I only have compassion towards sick patients...the role of doctors is to care, to heal, to help ... not to spread viruses."
Premier Blaine Higgs labelled the doctor's actions as "irresponsible" in a May 27 press conference.
"If you ignore the rules, you put your family, your friends and your fellow New Brunswickers at risk," Higgs said at the time.
There are 12 active in cases in the province — all in the Campbellton health region, known as Zone 5. Four residents and a staff member at a long-term care facility in Atholville are among the most recent cases.
Ngola said he's been looking into the people making hateful posts and the vast majority are from outside the region. He said he feels they are trying to incite violence against him because he is black.
He said he's been getting accusatory calls from people in the United States, Africa and Europe, and people are also making false reports about him to local police.
Ngola said he is not pleased with the way he's being treated by public officials.
"I'm a patient. I have a right to confidentiality, to protection from the system."
He said he remains devoted to serving the community.
"I have a family. I have a right to live. Please, I'm not a criminal."
369 Comments WOW Hundreds more comments just went "POOF"
David Amos
Welcome back to the circus
David Amos Content disabled Methinks some folks must recall that long before I knew his name I stated that I would like to to Dr. Jean-Robert Ngola N'esy Pas?
SarahRose Werner "'What was I supposed to do,' he said in French. 'Leave her there alone?'" - No, you were supposed to bring her back and then self-isolate for 14 days.
Lieschen Mueller
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: If Mr. Ngola is so unable to understand why he should not have isolated himself for two weeks after returning from Quebec, he has no business being a physician. Simple as that ...
lorraine karuse
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: He made a HUGE error in Judgement - a doctor visiting Corona Hot Spot, then didn't follow the guidelines to self isolate, put many of his patients lives at risk. Now he's using a race card - If he wasn't targeted before why would anyone target him now? It's not the color - it's their anger at your lack of judgement
Koffi Babone
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: From the NB Government website: "People not required to self-isolate 2) Workers who are healthy and: a) provide or support things essential to the health, safety, security or economic well-being of New Brunswickers, including;...." https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/corporate/promo/covid-19/travel.html _____________ If an ER doctor does not provide things essential to the Health of New Brunswickers or if there are exceptions to the above, then it is not stated clearly.
Article 6 states everyone must self isolate except those designated by the Chief Medical Officer, but this is not defined. Again there is a grey zone. When the order 1st came out, I along with several other people understood that Healthcare workers were exempt from the 14 day isolation. If that is not case, it must be clearly stated and it is not.
Tommy de James
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: Is he a Canadian citizen?
Art Rowe
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: MAYBE an error in judgement, MAYBE? Seriously? You who are supposedly a doctor helping to administer our response during this miserable pandemic and YOU think it's OK for you to not adhere to the rules? With an attitude like that, possibly you should seek work elsewhere.
Lieschen Mueller
Reply to @Tommy de James: Just because Mr. Ngola originally came from Africa, does not mean he is not a Canadian citizen.
David Amos
Reply to @Koffi Babone: Well Done
John Pokiok Sure blame it on racism you did stupid act sir and should pay for it with jail time.
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @John Pokiok: I agree with you that the doctor acted in a "stupid" way. As to jail time, it's for the RCMP to decide whether or not charges should be brought. But I've also seen comments that are racist in nature, and I strongly disagree with those.
Jeff LeBlanc
Reply to @John Pokiok: doesn't excuse the racism. A lot of NBers have it simmering and instances like this you see it boil over. Sad but it's always been there.
David Amos
Reply to @Jeff LeBlanc: I concur
SarahRose Werner "I'm a patient. I have a right to confidentiality, to protection from the system." - And in fact the system has protected that confidentiality by not, until now, releasing his name. Unfortunately for him, Campbellton is a small place, people compared notes and released the results on social media.
David Amos
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: Yea Right
Murray Brown I feel for the guy... By the sounds of it he may have contracted it from the patient. Unfortunately we live in the age of 'social media' and that media is responsible for the ruination of many lives whether deserved or not. Given the circumstances, moving to a new location will likely be his only choice. Too bad for Campbellton because Doctor's are in short supply around these parts.
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @Murray Brown: "Given the circumstances, moving to a new location will likely be his only choice." - Agreed. Campbellton is too small a place to pull a stunt like this and not catch flak from the rest of the community.
David Amos
Reply to @Murray Brown: YUP
Shawn Hickey We all made/ make errors in judgement. He is human after all. Best case is nobody does from his actions.
Jezebel DeWitt Bukater
Reply to @Shawn Hickey: He doesn't sound very sorry. He sounds like he is angry at Campbellton and has convinced himself that he is the victim. He's lost any understanding or compassion from me with this interview.
Donald Smith
Reply to @Jezebel DeWitt Bukater:
And of course the if one is charged with DUI let’s just put it down to an error in judgement.
Now the explanations just make it worse and have no credibility.
The province of NB is under. state of emergency .
There are exceptions and exemptions for essentials.
Nicolas Krinis
Reply to @Jezebel DeWitt Bukater: Well you are free to choose another family doctor.
David Amos
Reply to @Nicolas Krinis: Methinks some people will never know when its high time to clam up N'esy Pas?
Donald Smith
because he is black.: I don't think so, color has nothing to do with this, A DOCTOR is supposed to know better, any health care worker, and those of us who are not: I once served with and fought with native Canadians, native American's, this religion that religion and we were are are Brothers to each other those of us who still left living.
Nicolas Krinis
Reply to @Donald Smith: Have you read some of the hateful, racist comments on social media? And yes, unfortunately, many are racists among us. Have you been following the events in the US?
Donald Smith
Reply to @Nicolas Krinis: Its not the fault of New Brunswick residents as a whole as to what people post on social media. Yes I've following what's happing stateside, I was watching it on Tv back in the 60s as well. It just gores to show History sadly doesn't learn from its past mistakes.
David Amos
Reply to @Nicolas Krinis: Methinks you are flogging a dead horse if you think you can change some people's minds on certain topics but I and many others should commend your attempts to do so N'esy Pas?
Michael MacDonald it is to bad we see all the bad in every situation before the facts are known, maybe we should show some compassion and not judge first as someday we will be in a simular situation. He practiced in Campbelton for almost 8 years helping may NB's in their time of need now we turn on him like this with out the full facts. maybe some of you should look in the mirror before you judge others. This includes the media jumping to conclusions before thefacts as well!!
Johnny Almar Reply to @Michael MacDonald: Wow. You are defending him for his decision to not follow NB laws put in place to protect us. I hope they make an example of him.
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Michael MacDonald: I Wholeheartedly Agree Sir Furthermore who is Higgy or the RCMP to say for sure where the doctor picked up the virus in the first place?
Christopher Harborne
Reply to @Johnny Almar: I'm not defending what he did, but given all the hatred, good luck recruiting in that health region. That's going to be the fall out from this in the longer term, which will be really bad for the area.
Samual Johnston think people might be less angry at this situation if they knew just how many people cross the borders everyday without having to self isolate at all. I think the numbers would shock and surprise. Sure hope that figure is coming up in one of the future updates.
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @Samual Johnston: There's an article that just appeared on the CBC NB news page about people crossing at Tide Head-Matapedia, both crossing illegally and crossing legally but then not following the laws once allowed in. If there's one good thing that comes out of this mess, I think it might be more attention being paid to this situation.
Antonia Patrick Reply to @Samual Johnston: At our hospital, every worker is asked every day about travel. Temperature is taken. Many hospital workers are forgoing seeing family and going out, even when restrictions are lifted. Most of us want to protect our patients. This guy's actions show he did NOT place his patients' health above his own personal desires.
David Amos
Reply to @Samual Johnston: I agree
Samual Johnston Reply to @Antonia Patrick: tis good but do they self isolate and given symptoms can take 14 days to show up if at all is that really very effective?
Nicolas Krinis Has any member of the armchair judiciary ever stopped to think that he might have caught it in NB and because he is a front-line professional, spread it unknowingly to many people? There is a principal in Law that goes something like this; it's far better to let a thousand criminals go free than to condemn an innocent man.
Andie Em Reply to @Nicolas Krinis: except that there were zero cases of Covid in the province at that time
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Nicolas Krinis: Methinks Higgy et al have known for days that I Wholeheartedly Agree With Your Opinion N'esy Pas?
Amory Maynard
Reply to @Nicolas Krinis: I agree. Unprofessional conduct, of course, they should look into suspending his licence for sure. Criminal....you need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he caught it in Quebec. An inconvenient truth, 80% (not a typo) get this and don't even know they have it. Asymptomatics abound. He could have caught it off an asymptomatic carrier in town. Another thing to consider, he'll need to be replaced and with doctor shortage everywhere, I doubt there are new MD grads banging on the door to move to Northern NB.
Allie Bell
Reply to @Andie Em: But we don’t know for sure if there were zero cases. Asymptomatic people could be anywhere and would not know to get tested. It says right in the article nurses travel back and forth every day...
5 cases of COVID-19 connected to long-term care facility near Campbellton
N.B. has 12 active cases; all are linked to doctor returning from Quebec
Sarah Morin· CBC News· Posted: May 31, 2020 12:07 PM AT
Dr. Jennifer Russell, New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health, delivers a COVID-19 update on Sunday, May 31. (Submitted by Tyler Campbell/Government of New Brunswick)
Four residents and a staff member at a long-term care facility are among some of the most recent cases of COVID-19 in northern New Brunswick linked to a family doctor who contracted the virus outside the province and didn't self-isolate.
New Brunswick Public Health announced three new COVID-19 cases the Campbellton region, also known as Zone 5, at a news conference Sunday. All of the new cases are individuals in their 80s.
That brings the total cluster of cases in the Campbellton region to 12, the chief medical officer of health said.
The new cases include three individuals at a long-term care facility near the northern community. Another case, an individual in their 70s, who's also a resident at the care facility, tested positive for the virus Saturday.
Five cases total have developed at the health-care facility. Three of the five cases from the facility are in hospital, including one person in intensive care.
An employee at The Manoir de la Vallée in the neighbouring community of Atholville, N.B., tested positive for the virus earlier this week as well.
WATCH | New COVID-19 cases detected in northern New Brunswick:
Four residents and a staff member at a long-term care facility in Campbellton have tested positive for COVID-19. 1:26
About 100 people, including 57 residents could have been exposed to the worker, who was contagious during three shifts at the facility.
The facility includes independent living apartments as well as a special care home.
All staff and residents at the facility have been tested, Dr. Russell said. All of the province's active cases are in the Campbellton region, also know as Zone 5.
"There is a possibility the virus could spread beyond that region because the virus has an incubation period of 14 days," said Dr. Jennifer Russell, New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health.
All 12 cases are linked to a family doctor who contracted the virus in Quebec and didn't self-isolate upon his return to New Brunswick. The doctor, who has had contact with about 150 people since returning, has been suspended.
The government is urging people in the Campbellton area and those who travelled there in the last couple weeks to get tested.
"We have a two-week period ahead of us where we're going to be watching very very carefully what is happening in that region and also around the province because we know that people have left that region since the time that there have been transmission of COVID-19," Dr. Russell said.
"Every corner of the province needs to be vigilant."
Facility loses a third of staff
Ten of the 28 staff at the The Manoir de la Vallée long-term care facility left their job because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
"They felt it necessary to leave the facility, which is concerning because at a time like this, it's important we have everyone there to do what we can," said Premier Blaine Higgs.
Premier Blaine Higgs said The Manoir de la Vallée in Atholville, N.B., has enough staff and resources to respond to the outbreak of COVID-19 at the facility. (Submitted by Tyler Campbell/Government of New Brunswick)
Despite the staff leaving, Higgs said he is not concerned about under staffing "at all."
Ambulance New Brunswick and the province's home health-care program, Extra-Mural, are on site at the facility providing additional help caring for the residents.
Province to cut down on testing
Testing sites are set up at the Memorial Civic Centre in Campbellton and the Dalhousie Inch Arran Ice Palace.
Sunday is the last day of mass testing. As of tomorrow, the province will only be testing people who have two symptoms. Those who wish to get tested will have to call Tele-Care at 811.
Those who get a negative test result should monitor for symptoms for the next 14 days. It takes up to 48 hours for test results to come back.
To date, 26,172 tests have been conducted. Of the 132 confirmed cases in New Brunswick, 120 have recovered from the virus.
More than 1,300 test were processed Saturday, which is the highest single-day amount since the pandemic began.
Until last week, New Brunswick had no active cases of the respiratory disease.
David Amos Methinks many would agree that the most telling thing about the news these days is what our Police State does not permit to be said N'esy Pas?
Tony Mcalbey Reply to @David Amos: or do N’esy Pas?
abcr xo(Chris Richard)
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: you should seek help
Randy McNally Reply to @David Amos: Yes. Although it is complicated for for some , there is indeed a world beyond the web spun by certain media groups
Cade Hern How difficult could it be to seal off Campbellton temporarily to non essential travel? 7,000 people. Only 2 roads heading south to the rest of the province. Should be able to test everyone for the virus in one day.
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @Cade Hern: seal off everyone in their homes province wide would be best idea.
abcr xo(Chris Richard)
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: here comes personality number 2
David Amos Content disabled Methinks Higgy et al know why the dude up north whom the RCMP are investigating should talk to me ASAP N'esy Pas?
Steve Brockhouse
Content disabled
Reply to @David Amos: What's with this ongoing use of "N'esy Pas" phrase. The French is "N'est pas".
Larry Larson
Content disabled
Reply to @Steve Brockhouse: Chiac say otherwise!
Chris Richard
Content disabled
Reply to @Steve Brockhouse: he has multi personality disorder
Chris Richard
Content disabled
Reply to @Chris Richard: not to judge a book by its cover, but you look like such a smart persin LOL
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Larry Larson: BINGO
Carlson MacKenzie
Content disabled
Reply to @Steve Brockhouse: He's a norom.
Chris Richard
Content disabled
Reply to @Carlson MacKenzie: to say the least
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Carlson MacKenzie: Methinks you resemble your remark N'esy Pas?
abcr xo(Chris Richard)
Content disabled
Reply to @David Amos: you bum
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Chris Richard: My My Aren't you witty since you changed your alphabet ID?
abcr xo(Chris Richard)
Content disabled Reply to @David Amos: get a haircut. Barbers are open again
Ray Oliver
Content disabled
Reply to @David Amos: You're building a fan club! Cuuute
abcr xo(Chris Richard)
Content disabled
Reply to @Ray Oliver: I dont think his own family would accept him. Poor thing
David Amos Content disabled Reply to @Ray Oliver: Methinks your RCMP buddies and Higgy et al are very well aware that my latest blogs are about you and your cohorts N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Content disabled
Methinks it pleasant to see that Higgy is getting along so well with his fellow Maritime Conservative Premier N'esy Pas?
Tony Mcalbey
Content disabled
Reply to @David Amos: Methinks Higgy flip flops next week n'esy pas?
Johnny Almar
Content disabled
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: now you’re talking to yourself. Lol. Seek help please. I’m worried about you.
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Methinks Higgy's minions made huge faux pas last week threatening to arrest a dude and his dog Hence he and his PEI pal have no choice but to reverse that nonsense ASAP N'esy Pas?
abcr xo(Chris Richard)
Content disabled
Reply to @David Amos: you have a lot of time on your hands you split personality weirdo
abcr xo(Chris Richard)
Content disabled
Reply to @David Amos: do you ever get tired of no one caring about anything you have to say ? You would think when everyone is against you you would realise your wrong. Guess not
Dan Stewart
Content disabled
Reply to @Chris Richard: If in fact he has as many alter egos as it seems then I suppose they at least care.... well maybe a few of them at least...
Errol Willis Back to red we go...
Johnny Almar
Reply to @Errol Willis: we need to be sent back to red so we wake up.
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @Johnny Almar: 99.99999999% of nbers have not contracted covid19. Back to red for what reason?
Johnny Almar
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: As a lesson.
James Smith
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Because Johnny is absolutely TERRIFIED.
Johnny Almar
Reply to @James Smith: hardly. I’m immune.
Johnny Almar
Reply to @James Smith: tough guy at the keyboard lol.
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @Errol Willis: For Zone 5, possibly. The mayor of Campbellton has already requested it. For other zones? Depends on whether or not we start to see new cases there.
abcr xo (Chris Richard)
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: tony if you need help , reach out to me I have connections for you
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @Errol Willis: But not today. The GNB site's updated its case figures for today, but their map is still showing Zone 5 as orange and the other zones as yellow.
Donald Gallant
Reply to @James Smith: And James would be ?
James Smith
Reply to @Donald Gallant: calm, cool, collected.
Sarah Brown
Reply to @Johnny Almar: Are you suggesting that all of us be sent back to red to teach us all a lesson due to the reprehensible actions of one man? I think not.
David Amos
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Need I explain the term "Poof" to you?
Johnny Almar I wonder if it has to do with the mother and daughter from Campbellton that came to the Regent Mall on Friday to shop? Le Chateau forced to close. Staff had to self-isolate lending test results. A nurse who rents to a staff member there told the Campbellton Facebook group about it and now she’s self isolated pending test results.
Or is it about the Optometrist in Grand Falls who had to close his practice after being in direct contact with a health care worker from Campbellton who was in direct contact with the doctor who had been infected.
Johnny Almar
Reply to @Johnny Almar: pending test results.
I see that the nurse in Fredericton that spilled the beans on Campbellton Facebook group took it down. I wonder why?
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @Johnny Almar: over reaction. Life goes on. Virus is here and not going anywhere.
Johnny Almar
Content disabled before I could save it (accusing me of being Tony Mcalbey again)
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey:
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Johnny Almar: Methinks Higgy et al and their RCMP buddies know that I never pretend to be anyone else What would be the point? Furthermore Johnny Boy if you respected your elders its Mr Amos to you and Higgy Baby N'esy Pas?
Mike Hamilton
Reply to @Johnny Almar: David and his alter ego have both earned a mute from me just for spouting nonsense.
abcr xo (Chris Richard)
Reply to @David Amos: if the rcmp knew about you you would be in cambpelton sphych unit. Where you should be
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @: So says some wacko without the sand to have a real name.
Methinks everybody knows exactly who I am particularly the RCMP N'esy Pas Higgy?
JoeBrown
Reply to @Mike Hamilton: I ran out of mutes soon after this new system came out. CBC told me they were working on increasing the limits almost a year ago.
Ray Oliver
Reply to @Chris Richard: Me thinks that is about perfect! Rubber room for "Just Dave"
David Amos YO wannabe constable Ray Oliver or should I say Mr Jones aka "Borden Manitoba" methinks your buddy "abcr xo" aka Chris Richard can trust in the fact that the RCMP and legions of lawyers and bureaucrats etc. have had many copies of portions of my old "Just Dave" blog since 2005 N'esy Pas?
abcr xo (Chris Richard) Reply to @David Amos: you make absolutely.0 sence you know that right ? You make yourself look ridiculous
abcr xo (Chris Richard)
Reply to @Chris Richard: trust me the rcmp and lawyers have no interest in you, they would see your stuff and think your a joke. Quit thinking your interesting
David Amos Reply to @Chris Richard: Methinks if that were remotely true then you strange dudes with questionable IDS would see no need to harass me every chance you get. However if they wish anyone can surf the internet and figure out things for themselves without any further input from anyone. After all the Crown cannot deny the fact that I did sue more Yankee lawyers than anyone else in history long before I came home to run for a seat in the 38th Parliament N'esy Pas?
Ray Oliver Reply to @David Amos: LOL. And that means what? Did any ever see a court room? Methinks not
Ray Oliver Reply to @David Amos: Maybe you should go back to the States. Sue some more. Show them the wiretap tapes!!!
Kouchibouguac National Park set to reopen today after being closed for almost three months. (Courtesy of Parks Canada)
Several national parks and heritage sites in New Brunswick are reopening to the public after the federal government forced them to shut down in March over possible spread of COVID-19.
Fundy and Kouchibouguac national parks, as well as Fort Beauséjour – Fort Cumberland and Fort Gaspareaux National Historic sites have reopened today.
"Trails and day use areas will be open, some beaches," said Andrew Fry, visitor experience manager for Fundy National Park.
But he did say there will be some restrictions on what people can do in Fundy Park.
All camping facilities remain closed until at least June 21, 2020, while Parks Canada assesses whether and how these services might resume. And not all trails and facilities will be open to the public just yet.
Fry is asking visitors to avoid areas that haven't been officially opened.
"We really need your help in not accessing those spaces because they're not ready yet," he said. "Like many businesses we're not where we normally are in June."
Some of the services still closed include the golf course, swimming pool, visitor reception centres and kitchen shelters.
No new cases Monday
There were no new active cases of COVID-19 in the province Monday, after New Brunswick Public Health announced three new COVID-19 cases the Campbellton region, also known as Zone 5, at a news conference Sunday. All of the new cases are individuals in their 80s.
That brings the total cluster of cases in the Campbellton region to 12, the chief medical officer of health said.
The province halted part two of its yellow COVID-19 recovery phase Friday, stopping gyms, pools, yoga studios and other businesses from reopening Friday and not allowing indoor church services or gatherings up to 50 as was planned.
Gyms in New Brunswick are about to reopen after three months of closure. What adjustments have they made to keep members safe? 2:35
Premier Blaine Higgs announced last week he's hoping to move into part two of the yellow phase this Friday. The Campbellton area is currently in the orange phase, after a cluster of cases broke out in the area over the past week.
Since the outbreak, Higgs and Dr. Jennifer Russell, New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health, have been hosting news briefings about the cases. There will not be a news briefing Monday.
To date, there have been 132 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 28,462 tests that have been performed for the respiratory illness. This includes more than 2,000 tests that were processed on Sunday, which is the highest number of tests processed in single day since the pandemic began.
Teachers return to school
Monday marks the first day teachers will gradually return to school since the province ordered schools to close March 13 to slow the spread of the coronavirus, and online learning sessions were eventually established.
Teachers will gradually return to school between June 1 and June 5 to finish work from this year and start planning for fall.
They could also be working on professional development, which could include online webinars or in-person with colleagues to learn how to teach during a pandemic.
Education Minister Dominic Cardy had said school will resume in September, but he doesn't know what that will look like yet. Classes could resume inside the schools, but they could also be taught online.
What to do if you have symptoms
People concerned they might have COVID-19 can take a self-assessment 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.
42 Comments Commenting is now closed for this story.
David Amos OH Happy Day for many Acadians and lots of other folks too Some of us are not Christians or even a little bit religious yet still believe in the golden rule and do enjoy what this wonderful old world has to offer
"Kouchibouguac National Park set to reopen today after being closed for almost three months"
David Amos Methinks this news about Fundy and Kouchibouguac national parks will make a lot of folks I know Happy Happy Happy N'esy Pas?
Brent Harris Blizzard
Reply to @David Amos: Ithinks again.
David Amos
Reply to @Brent Harris Blizzard: I am happy to be informed of your recovery. How long did you go without thinking?
Jezebel DeWitt Bukater
I wrote some very judgmental comments about the doctor on an article on here yesterday. I was not being very Christian to say the least. I prayed about it and yes I was WRONG. Yes, he did wrong and he will have to live with that for the rest of his life, but we should be kind and forgiving if people are genuinely sorry for their mistakes. That doesn't mean there aren' t consequences, but an angry m o b will not solve anything. This is a chance for New Brunswick to show the rest of Canada what the love of Jesus is really all about.
JoeBrown
Reply to @Mike Bookman: She apologized so leave it at that. No one has proven the doc had symptoms to make him think he was infected, so judgment should be reserved for fact analysis which we do not have today, other than he disobeyed mother Higgs border rule.
Bob Smith
Reply to @Jezebel DeWitt Bukater: I wrote my judgments yesterday and make no apologies whatsoever for them. If people want to forgive, fine. Remember the forgiveness when the doctor gets nothing more than a letter of reprimand and temporary suspension for his actions.
Jezebel DeWitt Bukater
Reply to @Bob Smith: Oh I think he deserves much more than that.
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @Jezebel DeWitt Bukater: I agree with you that a large and angry group of people demanding immediate action is not the way to go. That's not how we do things in Canada. A legal investigation is being made by the proper body, the RCMP. The person has also been suspended by his employer and will likely be subject to an investigation of professional ethics by the College of Physicans and Surgeons. These are the proper, if somewhat slow-moving, channels.
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @JoeBrown: The Emergency Measures Act gives Higgs to make and enforce such rules. They're not a whim on Higgs' part. The question is not, "Did the doctor know he was infected?" It's, "Was he in violation of the law?" The RCMP is working on figuring that out.
David Amos
Reply to @Bob Smith: Methinks its interesting that everything went "Poof" N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: "The RCMP is working on figuring that out."
Yea Right
James Smythe
Reply to @Jezebel DeWitt Bukater: Awe the lynchmob leader grew a heart because of "prayer". Yeah right.
David Amos
Reply to @Jezebel DeWitt Bukater: I just heard the doctor you people have been yapping about on the radio. Methinks he did not sound pleased about his family's privacy being violated etc No doubt many would agree that lawyers are lining up in pursuit of a job N'esy Pas?
Jezebel DeWitt Bukater
Reply to @David Amos: Probably. It says a lot about his character (lack of) that he's playing the victim now.
David Amos
Reply to @Jezebel DeWitt Bukater: Methinks you should learn to clam up N'esy Pas?
"Ngola said he's been looking into the people making hateful posts and the vast majority are from outside the region. He said he feels they are trying to incite violence against him because he is black.'
Lou Bell With Higgs having an 83 % approval rate , the best in Canada , I suspect the Liberal naysayers have been pretty well stifled, especially the gentleman over the last few days who stated emphatically he would be gone shortly because of how he was handling the situation ! He and Marc and Marc uerite have pretty well disappeared these days !
Jezebel DeWitt Bukater
Reply to @Lou Bell: That must be disappointing to all of those Canadians who keep demanding that we open our borders to them. Turns out that the majority in New Brunswick like the strong borders and on this issue the only opinion that matters is that of the citizens of New Brunswick.
Dan Stewart
Reply to @Lou Bell: Nothing wrong with having s premier do a good job. I occasionally vote PC (not last time mind you) but have no problem appreciating a job well some regardless of party.
Fred Sanford
Reply to @Lou Bell: It's extremely refreshing to have political parties actually work together to achieve something instead of the governing party not consulting and the opposition parties opposing everything.
Mike Bookman
Reply to @Lou Bell: Yes, he did good on this! Now, he needs to get Irving to pay their back taxes of about $42Billion. What do ya think Lou, any chances of a former Irving exec doing that?
JoeBrown
Reply to @Mike Bookman: Link please to the tax calculation or an article referencing it since it is off topic.
Michel Forgeron
Reply to @Dan Stewart: I have also voted (progressive) conservative a few times in my life, but if things keep going well in NB, I'll definitely be voting for Higgs.
Bill Vasseur
Reply to @Lou Bell: 83%,that amazing, he should call an election now, because by October I strongly suspect that you will be able to reverse those two numbers
David Amos
Reply to @Bill Vasseur: I concur
JoeBrown
Reply to @Bill Vasseur: Depends on whether jt lets people collect cerb by then, otherwise the whole game falls apart when people find someone has to pay for this isolation.
Reply to @Lou Bell: Higgs doesn't have anywhere near close to an 83% approval rating. Higgs is an atrocious leader who doesn't know how to properly govern, we simply got lucky due to population demographics in this virus situation. You're attributing our province's dumb luck our inept leader, and you share something in common with that same type of luck it would seem.
Lou Bell
Reply to @Mike Bookman: Libs did NOTHING about it ! They DID try to give an UNDISCLOSED 130 million to the SANB and their " Phonie Games " until they got caught though !!!
Lou Bell
Reply to @Bill Vasseur: Naw , hope is all you have , and hope doesn't buy votes !
Lou Bell
Reply to @Fred Brewer: $ 663,000 ? Over 20 years that would equal the 130 million the Liberals were gonna give away IN A YEAR for the " Phonie Games " !!!!!!!!!!!
Lou Bell
Reply to @James Smythe: Better check it out ! Sorry , but it's true ! Read and drool there buddy !!!!!!!
Fred Brewer
Reply to @Lou Bell: Yes, but the bigger picture is the $42 billion in lost taxes; a situation created by all past and current governments allowing tax breaks to the empire for the past 70 years or so. That's the real story. That's the real reason NB is circling the drain.
Bob Lewis
Reply to @Lou Bell: Funny how that works.. high ratings remove the cynics.. it's like a magic potion..
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks many would agree that gloating is not wise and that the fat lady ain't sung about your SANB buddies yet N'esy Pas?
Mayor concerned about Tide Head-Matapedia border crossing
Randy Hunter says not enough guards at border, questions provincial estimates of vehicles
CBC News· Posted: Jun 02, 2020 12:46 PM AT
Randy Hunter, the mayor of Tide Head, says the crossing at the Matapedia Bridge in his community isn’t staffed properly. (Colin McPhail/CBC)
A northern New Brunswick mayor is raising alarms over what he considers holes in the province's border protection efforts.
The province has public safety officials at border crossings on both the Quebec and Nova Scotia borders.
But Randy Hunter, the mayor of Tide Head, said the crossing at the Matapedia Bridge in his community isn't staffed properly. He said the border has seen an increase in traffic because of weight restrictions on the Van Horne Bridge in Campbellton, and public safety has been waving vehicles through because they can't keep up.
He also said he has witnessed some people flout the rules by using an entrance that isn't guarded.
"There's a train bridge located right above the highway bridge and people are literally walking across that bridge and meeting up with their friends or family in the New Brunswick area," said Hunter.
Quebec licence plates
Region 5, which includes Tide Head, has reverted to the "orange" stage of COVID-19 recovery because of a cluster of cases linked to a doctor that traveled to Quebec.
Hunter said residents have seen plenty of Quebec vehicles in the community and he questions whether they are there for essential services.
"If you go to our local Walmart or Superstore, the two largest retail outlets, the parking lots are full and I would say 40 percent of those cars are from Quebec," said Hunter.
“An average of 65 personal vehicles cross the Matapedia bridge daily, on average five are turned back every day," said the province (Google Maps)
"People that are coming in from Quebec that are deemed essential workers, they're supposed to be into their workplace [and] back. It's not happening. They're shopping."
In an emailed statement, Public Safety said it is limiting non-essential travel into the province, including at the Matapedia entry.
"Peace officers are stationed at the Matapedia point of entry at all hours," said the statement. "An average of 65 personal vehicles cross the Matapedia bridge daily, on average five are turned back every day."
Questioning numbers
Hunter said the officers he has spoken to say people attempting to enter the province have given them "every excuse possible" to do so.
He said the province may have the wrong idea about just how many vehicles are trying to cross at the Matapedia Bridge.
"The Premier's reporting and the news is reporting perhaps 60 to 70 cars a day, well that is not factual," said Hunter.
"I know people that work for Public Safety there and the average [number of cars] on that bridge is about 200 a day,"
Hunter said the number of cars with Quebec licence plates has concerned his constituents.
"I'm getting calls and messages from people that are really concerned about the situation we're in and the traffic of Quebec cars that are in the region," said Hunter.
With files from Information Morning Fredericton and Information Morning Moncton
David Amos Methinks the plot thickens nicely N'esy Pas?
Tony Mcalbey Reply to @David Amos: methinks so too
David Amos Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Methinks you enjoy upsetting Higgy's many minions byway of merely emulating a couple of my expressions N'esy Pas?
Tony Mcalbey Reply to @David Amos: methinks everyone should mind their own business
David Amos
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Methinks at the very least you should not deny that not only do I have the right to have a Medicare Card but higgy et al should give me my old Harley and the Yankee wiretap tapes back as well N'esy Pas?
Tony Mcalbey Reply to @David Amos: absolutely
Shawn Hickey Flatlands people, Flatlands. Story still has merit.
The Matapédia Bridge crosses the Restigouche River from Matapédia, Quebec to Flatlands, New Brunswick
David Amos
Reply to @Shawn Hickey: Methinks Higgy et al know tha an old Hillbilly such as I believe Flatlanders are crazy but many think the same of me Hence we are even N'esy Pas?
Jezebel DeWitt Bukater We need an Atlantic border force as a cooperation between the Atlantic provinces at the NB/QC border. Something that will have clear guidelines and ensure the integrity of our border.
Bill Vasseur
Reply to @Jezebel DeWitt Bukater: We need no borders, this is still one country at least the last time I checked!!!
Jezebel DeWitt Bukater
Reply to @Bill Vasseur: If you think this is one country then I'd question which Canada you've been living in? This country is at least 5 separate countries minimum pretending to be one. Our life in Atlantic Canada is different and we need to protect it.
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Jezebel DeWitt Bukater: Who is "WE" ???
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @Jezebel DeWitt Bukater: have an issue with rest of Canadians?
James Smythe
Reply to @Jezebel DeWitt Bukater: Sickening and divisive.
Jim Cyr Shameful. Arrest any one trying to enter under false pretenses, or caught at the stores.
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @Jim Cyr: lol
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Jim Cyr: Methinks you are jealous because you are to afraid to try to cross the 49th N'esy Pas?
Dave Shimla couple hundred bucks passed to a rent a cop can get you right across the border no problem, seen in first hand - please go investigate that CBC!
David Amos
Reply to @Dave Shimla: Oh My My Say it ain't so
Lou Bell So if there's a problem with the numbers , Higgs is getting false numbers from Public Safety . Time to take a check on those manning the border !!!
Bill Vasseur
Reply to @Lou Bell: You sound like the perfect person to do it,,, then again, no I don't think so to paranoid!
David Amos
Reply to @Bill Vasseur: I concur
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @Lou Bell: methinks you should go and get the real numbers
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks you must recall back in March of 2019 that I tried to explain things I knew about Dominic Cardy and his wife to the Tide Head Mayor Randy Hunter and why I was not surprised that he would not listen to me N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks much to your hero Higgy's chagrin Mayor Hunter and I got along just fine in our conversation today N'esy Pas?
Village mayor fights to give school on the chopping block a 2nd act
Small Tide Head School was voted to close after years of declining enrolment
Colin McPhail· CBC News· Posted: Mar 26, 2019 6:00 AM AT
The district education council has recommended Tide Head School for closure. Education Minister Dominic Cardy has yet to sign off, but it appears the tiny school's days are numbered. (Colin McPhail/CBC)
Tide Head School's days appear to be numbered. The tiny K-5 school in northern New Brunswick is expected to close this year, pending ministerial approval, after a unanimous district educational council vote in January.
It's always been a small community school, but enrolment plummeted in the past four years. Eight students attend Tide Head today.
Tide Head Mayor Randy Hunter knows it's a fait accompli. The students will be reassigned in September to a school in Campbellton, about nine kilometres east, but Hunter is pushing to give the building a second act and raising questions about what should be done with closed schools in small or rural municipalities.
Wants building used
The mayor doesn't want Tide Head School to meet the same fate as the shuttered school in neighbouring Atholville. The former École Versant-Nord sits empty on prime property in the heart of the community.
"I would like to see the building used," Hunter said.
"We don't want that school sitting there, grass growing around it, not being maintained, becoming an eyesore for our municipality."
Anglophone School District North and the district education council reserved comment on the matter as they await Education Minister Dominic Cardy's decision. Under Policy 409, the guiding document to review and close schools, the minister must sign off on an education council's recommendation.
Planning to merge
The school was marked for closure as part of a plan to merge three regional schools into a new K-8 school in Campbellton. That project has since been delayed by the Progressive Conservative government.
Tide Head School had more than 100 students at its peak, but in the past decade enrolment hovered in the 40s before dropping to single digits last year. The school is staffed by the equivalent of 1½ full-time teachers and 3½ non-teaching employees.
Tide Head School sits on the main road through the small northern New Brunswick village. (Colin McPhail/CBC)
Once closed, ownership of the school shifts to the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, which then can offer it to other provincial departments or sell it to a non-profit organization or another government. Failing that, it could be sold publicly.
Losing the school would be a blow to the village, said Hunter, who wants Policy 409 to do a better job weighing the impact that closing a school has on the small or rural community it serves.
Repurposing the building, land
Hunter, a former educator now in his third term as mayor, offered suggestions to keep the building in use, including establishing an autism resource centre for the school district or moving the local alternative learning centre from its rented location in Campbellton to a permanent home in Tide Head.
"The building is not falling down," Hunter said. "Does it need tender love and care? Of course it does, like any building. But besides that it's fine."
Tide Head Mayor Randy Hunter wants to see the Tide Head School building, or at least the land, used after its likely closure later this year. (Colin McPhail/CBC)
Hunter said the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development hasn't responded to his proposals, but he said the government offered to hand over the building and the property to the municipality.
But that isn't ideal, he said. The village would lose out on tax revenue and be faced with either demolishing or renovating the building — costs the municipality can't afford, he said.
If the province knocked down the building, the village could then sell the property to be developed, Hunter said.
Hoping for new people
Tide Head has always been a suburb of sorts to Campbellton, but the village is becoming increasingly residential after several businesses closed.
The population dipped below 1,000 in the last census, and Hunter is keen on attracting people and economic development.
Repurposing Tide Head School or the land that it's on would help buck the recent trend. "We'd like to see any positive development within the municipality, from housing through to small businesses," he said.
5 employees for 8 kids . Unbelievable . How has it gotten to this point ?
Shawn Hickey
Great school! Great village! I attended in it's heyday from 80-86. It's unfortunate, but with only 8 students, it will have to close. Just like Upsalquich so many years ago.
David Amos
Methinks Dominic Cardy and his wife know why I tried to explain things to the Tide Head Mayor Randy Hunter just now and why I was not surprised that he would not listen to me N'esy Pas?
cheryl wright
autism center, resource center, daycare center, tutoring location.. there are so many options for old schools, its a sin to let them go to waste
JJ Carrier
Great school through the years for kids of all ages...I will be sad to see it go...
From the NB Government website:
"People not required to self-isolate
2) Workers who are healthy and:
a) provide or support things essential to the health, safety, security or economic well-being of New Brunswickers, including;...."
https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/corporate/promo/covid-19/travel.html
_____________
If an ER doctor does not provide things essential to the Health of New Brunswickers or if there are exceptions to the above, then it is not stated clearly.
Below is the Mandatory order that was revised on 2020-05-29:
https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Corporate/pdf/EmergencyUrgence19.pdf
Article 6 states everyone must self isolate except those designated by the Chief Medical Officer, but this is not defined.
Again there is a grey zone. When the order 1st came out, I along with several other people understood that Healthcare workers were exempt from the 14 day isolation. If that is not case, it must be clearly stated and it is not.
MAYBE an error in judgement, MAYBE? Seriously? You who are supposedly a doctor helping to administer our response during this miserable pandemic and YOU think it's OK for you to not adhere to the rules?
With an attitude like that, possibly you should seek work elsewhere.