Resident at long-term care facility dies from COVID-19, province announces 3 new cases
Death is the second in New Brunswick related to virus
Sarah Morin· CBC News· Posted: Jun 13, 2020 2:21 PM AT
Another resident at Manoir de la Vallée in Atholville has has died from complications related to COVID-19. (Serge Bouchard/Radio-Canada)
Another resident at a long-term care facility near Campbellton, N.B., has died from complications related to COVID-19, Public Health announced Saturday.
The individual, a resident of the Manoir de la Vallée in Atholville, was in their 80s. The person is the second in New Brunswick to die from the virus.
"I was deeply saddened to learn of a death related to COVID-19 in our province," Premier Blaine Higgs said in a news release.
The news release does not confirm the identity of the person who died, but said the individual had been admitted to hospital.
Public Health also reported three new cases of the disease in the Campbellton region, also known as Zone 5, on Saturday.
The three new cases include two health-care workers at the Campbellton Regional Hospital and an employee at Manoir de la Vallée.
Their ages of the three new cases are as follows:
An individual in their 20s
An individual in their 30s
An individual in their 50s
A cluster of cases in the Campbellton region surfaced in mid-May, after a doctor travelled to Quebec and did not self-isolate after returning home to the area.
There are 29 active cases in the province. Four people are hospitalized and one person is in intensive care.
Dr. Jennifer Russell, New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health, offered condolences to the family and friends of the second person to die from COVID-19 in the province. (Government of New Brunswick)
Many of the cases are linked to Manoir de la Vallée.
To date, 36,605 tests have been conducted. Of the 157 confirmed cases, 126 people have recovered from the virus.
Campbellton Regional Hospital closes ER
The Vitalité Health Network announced its emergency room is closing effective 8 p.m. until further notice.
Visits to the Campbellton Regional Hospital are also now prohibited, and all non-emergency services offered by the facility are cancelled until further notice.
"The Network has no choice but to take these measures immediately given the evolution of the spread of COVID-19 in Region 5," Gilles Lanteigne, president and CEO of the network, said in a press release sent out on Saturday.
Emergency services at the hospital are still open, but people with "mild symptoms" are being asked to contact their family physician, nurse practitioner or Tele-Care 811 before going to the emergency department.
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.
David Amos Methinks the RCMP members who do receive my emails should agree that the desperate spin doctors who tap on their keyboards night and day supporting Higgy's Police State post too much N'esy Pas?
Ray Oliver Reply to @David Amos: Awww the big bad bully from Fundy Royal cant take a little of his own medicine... methinks
David Amos
Reply to @David Amos: here are some of the wannabe constable's words tonight:
"How's Byron making out buddy he see any justice at the hands of Just Dave?"
Methinks this dude is one of the tr o lls who has been cyberstalking my family and I since I ran in Fundy Royal in 2004 and then wrote Bryon Prior's defense and counterclaim for the Supreme Court of Newfoundland in January of 2005 N'esy pas?
Ray Oliver Reply to @David Amos: Not even close.
David Amos Reply to @David Amos: Methinks the boss of the RCMP in the Fundy Royal Area since 2015 who took a promotion and a transfer back out west in lieu of retiring is well are that most Maritimers are in bed or finishing their last Saturday night beers on a nice evening in June rather than wasting their precious time posting mindless vitriol on the web about Byron Prior and I. However Inspector Morgan must admit its still early in Alberta and BC for the RCMP shills Ray and Durnford and everybody knows they live on the Internet 24/7 Anyone can Goggle their names and mine N'esy Pas?
Lou Bell Reply to @Ray Oliver: Tha " Dave whiner line " . Home of the Tony's and James and Joe's and Paul's ! the conspiracy theorists and their unfounded , uninformed , and ignorant rants from social media experts with no education no honest facts , just anything they can grab off the other uneducated experts .
Lou Bell
Reply to @David Amos: Just tap Dave and " Fiction " or " UFO " !
Ray Oliver
Reply to @David Amos: All your emails are blocked or go to the spam bin. Why do you need to give the history lessons when attaching hotshot lawyers or cops names as if you're on a personal level with them? Is that part of your condition?
Lou Bell Reply to @Ray Oliver: I'd say Dave'll be here till the " cows come home " but apparently the cows are " on a planet , far , far away ," and not sure when Scotty's gonna beam them back down to planet earth !
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks if folks truly wish to giggle they should tap in Lou Bell Higgy Cardy butter tarts N'esy Pas?
David Amos Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks when the cows do come perhaps you should ask them to tap Tim Hortons Hampton RCMP so they can get a good laugh at your malicious nonsense last night N'esy Pas?
Lou Bell Reply to @David Amos: Huh ?
Ray Oliver Hes trying to intimidate you as he saves all these back and forths on his blog for his future cases hes busy building in some guy near Frederictons tool shed. Booooo
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks its fairly obvious that your desperate buddy "Ray' ain't got the first clue where I am but your hero Higgy's buddies in the RCMP in Hampton and Sussex certainly do N'esy Pas?
Ray Oliver
Reply to @David Amos: You sniff an election coming up so must be hunting for some new digs in the Fundy Royal riding for a magical run to the Legislature. Will they let you in the building if you win ya think?
Lou Bell
Reply to @Ray Oliver: not sure what he's talking about with Hampton . I did read in the Newspaper the other day where Minister Cardy indicated there were unsigned messages of advice left for him in an aquaintenances mailbox though ! Kinda lacks intestinal fortitude I'd think , not only to not sign them , but also to not just deliver them to who they're intended for .
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: However trust I will return to Fat Fred City to file 3 more lawsuits when the time is just right. Methinks any old mechanic would agree there is magic in good timing N'esy Pas?
Ray Oliver
Reply to @Lou Bell: Its the Famous Amos butter tart recipe his clan has had tucked away for centuries..
Lou Bell
Reply to @Ray Oliver: A win would be getting at least 15 votes ! Let's see , there's Tony and James , and Paul , and Joe. Might be one or two more , but that's it
Lou Bell
Reply to @Ray Oliver: Move over Colonel Sanders , Private Butter Tarts is a comin' !
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks its clear that you don't have the first clue as who I am do ya but I trust that your lawyer does N'esy Pas?
Ray Oliver
Reply to @Lou Bell: Well give him a touch of credit he placed better than the candidate who ran on a knot sea platform last showdown.. movin on up! Rob Moore watch ya back!!
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: "Private Butter Tarts is a comin"
Methinks you have it backwards on purpose it was Cardy and his buddies who sent me the butter tarts in the Canada Post before the election in 2018 and I posted the signed note and his emails about it on the Internet before i ran in Sussex against Northrup. The RCMP and everybody else knows that N'esy Pas?
Ray Oliver
Reply to @David Amos: And now you're sending along your own recipe cause their tarts just weren't satisfactory. That's mighty neighborly of ya!
David Amos
Reply to @David Amos: Methinks the RCMP must have noticed that I am not feeding their tr o ll this evening N'esy Pas?
Lou Bell
Reply to @David Amos So that's the " Butter tarts " story ! : I never got Butter tarts ! Ray , did you get Butter Tarts ? Ray and I should be the ones complaining if that's the case ! Of course I wouldn't have seen it on social media . I don't believe in that false crap ! People need to stay away from that stuff. Conspiracy theorists abound on those websites ! Tweety uses them in America and we all know about him .
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks thats your problem not mine N'esy Pas?
Lou Bell Reply to @David Amos: If the Liberals had gotten in I would have gotten a 130 Million Dollar bill for some " Phonie Games " ! And NO Butter Tarts to boot !
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks if you had bothered to check my Twitter account long ago you would have discovered that I have making you rather infamous simply byway of republishing you words within the blog your buddy "Ray" (likely Dean Roger Ray or his buddy Dan Durnford ) is harping about tonight N'esy Pas?
Ray Oliver Reply to @David Amos: I live in your beloved Fundy Royal riding. You aren't doing much to win my vote next time around methinks
David Amos Methinks all the usual suspects who argue every issue within the Crown's forum 24/7 should consider investigating matters for themselves instead of attacking folks trying to inform them of what they know about Higgy's Police State N'esy Pas?
Ray Oliver
Reply to @David Amos: You dig to the heart of what's really going on. You've got the inside track. More importance and respect in your pinky toe that the rest of us EH??
Ray Oliver
Reply to @David Amos: You're a heckling spammer who's been told to cease and desist on a daily basis
Tony Mcalbey Reply to @Ray Oliver: David is a great contributor in a democracy. Refreshing to read his logical views.
Ray Oliver
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Check his blog where hes gonna do some light bounty hunting for Whitey Bulger. Or his cows being killed by laser beams. Or his wire tap tapes he found in an FBI dumpster that could take down a sitting president. LOGICAL. LOL.
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @Ray Oliver: methinks you have had a few to many cold ones this evening
Ray Oliver
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Its all there for anyone to read. I wish I was joking.
David Amos Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Methinks rather obvious that if your buddy "Ray" truly thought I was you he would not have spent all day arguing you about a virus N'esy Pas?
Ray Oliver Reply to @David Amos: No when someone makes a ridiculous point I feel I can chime in. Again.. this isnt all about you big shooter
David Amos Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: How much do you know about what your buddy "Ray" is referring to?
"Check his blog where hes gonna do some light bounty hunting for Whitey Bulger. Or his cows being killed by laser beams. Or his wire tap tapes he found in an FBI dumpster that could take down a sitting president. LOGICAL. LOL."
David Amos
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Do you even know who Byron Prior is???
Ray Oliver Reply to @David Amos: Didnt an officer say he spotted Bulger in Nfld? Yet he had been living in California in the same condo for 16 years. Can you get any further from Nfld in North America than that? Alaska maybe? LOL. Bounty Hunter what a good laugh. You know it's illegal in Canada right?
David Amos Reply to @David Amos: Methinks the RCMP in Alberta should do a wellness check on their shill Dean Roger Ray N'esy Pas?
David Amos Reply to @David Amos: Methinks the RCMP in BC should also pay a visit on Bryon Prior's other buddy Dana Durnford as well N'esy Pas?
Ray Oliver Reply to @David Amos: Methinks that anyone can read your blog pull out the goodies then fire it out here. Anyone can do this the way you refer people to it.
Lou Bell Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Can't stop laughing ! You and Dave !!!
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks i have the right to say the same about you and your buddy "Ray" N'esy Pas?
Ray Oliver Reply to @David Amos: CRY ME A RIVER. Sound familiar famous amos the bounty Hunter extraordinaire??
David Amos Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks its interesting that you claim to not follow "social media" but claimed something else to another dude yesterday N'esy Pas?
Reply to @Matt Steele: Dave has a social media fan I see ! A couple , you and Terry .
A G Content disabled Has the doctor who started this cluster been arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter yet?
David Amos
Content disabled Reply to @A G: WOW
James Smythe Here are your CDC statistics from the US (population 330 million), where I'm sure we can all agree handled Covid much worse than we did in Canada, breaking down mortality per age group, current as of June 6, 2020: (2.11 million cases to date)
mortality as % of positive case # Under 1 year old: 5 0.000237 1 - 4: 3 0.000142 5-14: 13 0.000616 15-24: 116 0.005498 25-34: 640 0.0303 35-44: 1649 0.782 45-54: 4588 0.217 55-64: 11,439 0.542 65-74: 19,857 0.941 75-84: 25,520 1.21 85+: 31,778 1.51
What you may notice from the data set, is that older people are more likely to pass away. And this holds true for natural causes, and all other infectious diseases. You can all calm down now. We've handled it better in Canada, your risk is likely lower than the chart presented. Can't wait for all the confirmation bias displays below this comment.
Bob Smith
Reply to @James Smythe: Uh huh...how's that data for vaccinations for the Covid virus? Oh, right, none. I know that anyone treating this as serious is a waste of time when talking to folks like you so I'll ignore you from now on.
Richard Cyr
Reply to @James Smythe: +10 likes for crushing their illusions.
David Amos
Reply to @James Smythe: Well done
Lou Bell Reply to @James Smythe: Your uninformed figures say nothing about those who will suffer from the long term affects of having COVID. All you have is the deaths , not including what is speculated to be thousands more who died and are now suspected to have had COVID ! You're the expert , tell us how many who had the virus and are now being revealed as having damage done to multiple organs ! C'mon Jimmy tell us !!!
Paul Milner This headline is so misleading. 80 and 90 year old are not dying of CV. They are dying of old age/ complications. CV is the straw that broke the camel's back, that's all. All these ridiculous headlines do is stoke irrational fear. Comorbidity should be reported as its own statistic. Meanwhile in NB over 3000 people have died of other causes this year.
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Any of the websites reporting Covid statistics will show you the 8.1% death rate for known cases. The other numbers on age expectancy come from another news article on CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/covid19-elderly-deaths-1.5542967
David Amos
Reply to @Justin Time: Do you believe everything CBC tells you?
Ray Oliver
Reply to @David Amos: Why comment and play on their news page if you don't read it for current pertinent Provincial information? Methinks you just here to pump your own tires as a great politician and legal beagle!!!
Tony Mcalbey Reply to @Ray Oliver: methinks you’re jealous
Fay Briggs
Reply to @Jackie Barret Premier Blaine Higgs and Dr. Jennifer Russell have nothing to apologize for they did not release the persons name. They just said it was a health care worker at the hospital. Social media and CBC decided it was Ngola. They are the ones who need to apologize to this man.
Ray Oliver
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Hes a couch surfing user who plays helping the downtrodden for a place to stay and mooch off of. How's Byron making out buddy he see any justice at the hands of Just Dave?
Ray Oliver
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Far from jealous if you see the spamming and CCs on emails he fires around annoying people who could care less about the nonsense. I feel hes jealous of them as he will soon be totally forgotten
Tom Campbell Reply to @Paul Milner: Without the restrictive measures, the numbers would have been much higher. Everyone should knot this by now.
Tom Campbell
Reply to @Denis LeBlanc: Couldn't agree more. These posters have been hammering these repetitive posts out for over 3 months even though there is evidence to the contrary in numerous countries.
Tom Campbell Reply to @Fred Brewer: That's the case in Hamilton.
Bob Smith A few days ago, there were several comments saying, among other things, that Covid was only contracted by the elderly or already sick. Sad to see an article like this which shows otherwise. I hope this pandemic doesn't lead to more deaths in NB.
JoeBrown
Reply to @Bob Smith: Whoever you reference was likely just playing with you. Irrelevant.
Bob Smith
Reply to @JoeBrown: No, they were quite serious in a "know it all" way.
David Amos
Reply to @Bob Smith: Methinks that is an understatement N'esy Pas?
Lou Bell Very disturbing are the continuing cases with the Healthcare workers at the Hospital . May need to be addressed by Vitalite' . Their " different strokes for different folks " re Locums appears to be not working .
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @Lou Bell: Proof that the continuing cases at the hospital are due to in-coming locums vs infections already existing in Zone 5 = ?
Lou Bell
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: Could be . the big concern is that so far it's only been hospital staff . What happens when it gets to the patients . Also , how is the virus spreading amongst the patients in the long term care homes ? Person to person or is there any possibility it can be spread through the ventilation system ? Not sure if the home would have one or not .
Lou Bell
Reply to @Lou Bell: home , not homes .
JoeBrown
Reply to @Lou Bell: Dementia patients are hard to keep safe because they don`t remember or understand anything. Lots of people in there have dementia and an earlier death had it so that might be why it is spreading. Most n homes in Canada that got an outbreak ended up with more and even lots of cases, fwiw.
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @JoeBrown: and why are we shutting down the economy for these people is not logical
JoeBrown
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: More cerb per capita in NB. Higgs has highest popularity so most people must like being broke or do not understand.
JoeBrown
Reply to @Lou Bell: NS first case in 4 days at Norwood again. Half of them must be immune now but it is a big place and covid never stops.
JoeBrown
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Yeah, NS got another case in Norwood today, so those places are inevitable covid magnets but it is a different world outside and the shut down should end.
Paul Milner
Reply to @JoeBrown: You're spot on. How did we fall this far?
doug kirby
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: have no idea why other than to force nb broke obviously...now the man is allowing Quebec in to travel which by the way is the correct thing to do ....however what is interesting to many people now is could the list be posted as to who higgs thinks is more important than the next and where is it written he has a say....there is more wrong than right happening now with this virus...unfortunately it got into a long term home and so sorry to hear but it will be contained and you will learn to live with this but my god people wake up....you seriously don’t have to be dictated to especially by a man who believes he is the prime minister or something.
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @Lou Bell: You and I have the luxury of being able to feed ourselves, dress ourselves, bath ourselves and relieve ourselves without close contact from care workers. People in long-term care homes, not so much. I'm sure that staff are masking, gloving, sanitizing and doing as much as they can do to avoid the spread of infection. But nothing works 100%. The fact remains that every time a staff member tests positive, all the residents who were cared for by that worker are at risk. Every time a resident tests positive, all the workers who cared for that resident are at risk.
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @doug kirby: "especially by a man who believes he is the prime minister or something" - I've never seen Higgs attempting to exercise control over the federal government, as the prime minister does. As premier - the prime minister's provincial counterpart - he has both the right and the responsibility to exercise control over the province, acting within the guidelines of provincial and federal law.
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks you should take a break and come on down sip coffee with Higgy's buddies at Timmies in Fundy Royal the RCMP won't bother you N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: Methinks you should never forget that your hero Higgy asked his buddies the RCMP to put down their donuts and investigate what when down up north N'esy Pas?
doug kirby
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: exactly guidelines....he should follow them
JoeBrown Reply to @Paul Milner: Easy to spread in homes, because virus is invisible and dementia patients are hard to take care of. They don't understand anything but need to be fed, get sick, make messes, won't stay still, some yell all the time, and need to be washed etc.
Lou Bell So sad and so avoidable .
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @Lou Bell: how avoidable? This virus been around for months. Government isn’t protecting taxpayers
Lou Bell
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: If you understood the rules and how they work , someone broke the rules and this all happened ! Has been in the news for a month ! Pay attention .
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @Lou Bell: no way 1 person infected that many, impossible
Ray Oliver
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Nfld? A couple months back? Where you been?
Ray Oliver
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: And 1 person can give it to 8.. those 8 take it home to their family and friends.. it becomes exponential. It all starts with 1 to cause a flurry of cases again in any area
Bob Smith
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Newfoundland funeral...Nova Scotia and the Northwood home. Quebec's disastrous decision to reopen schools during the pandemic. Want more examples?
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @Ray Oliver: can’t blame 1 for infecting all
Ray Oliver
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: If the virus is known to have been under control and someone who breaks the known rules is the reason it revives again.. then yeah. I sure can. Be in the bridge protest or one whiny doctor
Fred Brewer
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Have you not heard of the term "super spreader"? In essence when the doctor saw 150 patients and interacted with hospital staff, shopped for groceries and did his errands while he was infected, he became NB's first super spreader.
Justin Time
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Wrong. Catch up on the news. There are super spreaders and just remember one infected person started this whole thing.
David Amos
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Methinks you must understand the wannabe constable's wicked little game by now N'esy Pas?
Ray Oliver
Reply to @David Amos: A game you'll never win Methinks. Sorry. Me knows!
Ray Oliver
Reply to @David Amos: Why you responding to yourself on here? Can't you have that "wicked" little chat with Tony right in your own head? Or is it a packed house up there tonight?
Tony Mcalbey Reply to @Ray Oliver: you should know by now you’re wrong
Ray Oliver
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Hiii Dave. Dont make it so obvious. Rub those 2 clues together try to run some different lingo. Not a soul would defend the guy.
Ray Oliver Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: You haven't been on as long as I've been calling out the "fierce political animal" as he calls himself. Yet you know so much. Hmmmm. Not hard to figure that out Dave Amos 2.0
David Amos Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: "you should know by now you’re wrong"
Methinks you should finally explain to me why you have allowed my political foes to falsely claim that I am you for so long N'esy Pas?
Public Health has confirmed one new case of COVID-19, a health-care worker at the Campbellton Regional Hospital. (Shane Fowler/CBC)
Public Health has confirmed one new case of COVID-19 at the Campbellton Regional Hospital after announcing two health-care workers tested positive for the virus on Thursday.
The new case is an individual in their 40s, who is also a health-care worker at the Campbellton Regional Hospital. Vitatlié Health Network confirmed a health-care worker at the hospital was diagnosed with the virus on Wednesday.
"When outbreaks occur, it reminds us that we need to continue our efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19," said Dr. Jennifer Russell, New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health in a news release.
"We need to maintain physical distancing and practise good hygiene everywhere we go to avoid new outbreaks. We can be kind and continue to support each other through this pandemic."
28 active cases of COVID-19
There are 28 active cases in the province.
The first in a cluster of cases was reported May 21 in the Campbellton region, also known as Zone 5, after a doctor travelled to Quebec for personal reasons and did not self-isolate after returning home to the area. Many of the cases have been found at Manoir de la Vallée, a long-term care facility in Atholville.
Dr. Jennifer Russell, New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health, is reminding residents to wash their hands and continue physically distancing themselves from others. (Government of New Brunswick/Submitted)
One resident of the Manoir has died. Five people from the region are in hospital, one of them in intensive care.
There have been 154 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Brunswick, with 125 who have recovered from the respiratory illness.
As of Friday, 36,125 tests have been conducted.
There could be more unknown cases lurking, epidemiologist says
An epidemiologist is warning New Brunswickers that there might be more cases of COVID-19 across the province.
The province has seen a cluster of new cases of the respiratory illness over the past two weeks in the Campbellton region, but Dr. Colin Furness, an infection control epidemiologist and assistant professor at the University of Toronto, said some people could be asymptomatic or only have a minor case of the virus.
"It would surprise me if we tested everyone in New Brunswick right now if we got zero positive cases," said Furness.
"Even if somehow there's zero circulating COVID we have to remember it's only a car ride or a plane ride away from a new case landing in the community and that's the new normal for a little while."
Colin Furness, an infection control epidemiologist and assistant professor at the University of Toronto, says there are likely more cases of COVID-19 in New Brunswick. We just don't know about them. (University of Toronto)
Furness is warning New Brunswickers not to be cavalier about the COVID-19 virus, even if it looks like the outbreak is waning.
"COVID isn't gone, it's in the background," he said.
"And if we let it, it will come back. And it will come roaring back. And that's something that we're going to be coping with for some time." Furness recommends maintaining physical distancing and wearing masks while out in public, even advocating for making them mandatory for stores.
This Fredericton entrepreneur from Dubai knew she’d have to shift her hijab business’s plan in order to survive the pandemic, so she started selling face masks. 2:26
"My gut tells me that masks will prove to be important," he said, "And just by way of reminder, they're important because they help you keep your droplets to yourself so that you protect others and that others wearing masks protects you."
Last week the province announced that masks would be mandatory in all indoor public environments, before backtracking on the decision within 24 hours.
Furness said early studies have indicated that the virus is acting similar to other coronaviruses, meaning that there will likely be a lull of cases during the summer months.
But that could also mean the potential of a second wave, which New Brunswickers will have to guard against.
Furness says masks help people keep droplets to themselves during the COVID-19 era. (Elizabeth Fraser/CBC)
"The good news is that even if we're not being disciplined we will have, I believe, pretty substantial protection this summer," said Furness.
"The downside is that if we convince ourselves over the next three months that we've won and that we don't need to be vigilant we will set the conditions for a very vicious second wave in mid to late autumn."
Furness said there are promising signs that a vaccine could be developed within two years, but cautions that you still need to manufacture about seven billion doses.
In the meantime, governments will have to balance between implementing too many restrictions, which could lead to people not following any, and implementing too few, which could open us up for even more cases.
Furness is also hopeful Ottawa will keep the Canada-U.S. border closed in coming months.
"I think come the fall it's going to get awful," he said. "And I think this is going to be easily the largest loss of life in American history."
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.
76Comments Commenting is now closed for this story.
Lou Bell Conspiracy theorists in full swing tonight ! RCMP goin' after Timmie coffee drinkers ! Aliens , cows , UFO's ! Must be a full moon tonight !!!
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: Methinks you should say Hey to Higgy and the RCMP in Fundy Royal for me sometime soon N'esy Pas?
Dave Corbin Will the RCMP allow us to have our Tim Horton coffee sitting in our own truck in the parking lot now or is it just the Tim Horton's in Hampton that we are not allowed?
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @Dave Corbin: when and why is this happening?
David Amos
Reply to @Dave Corbin: RCMP dudes working for Higgy's Police State have threatened people at the Tim's Sussex too
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @David Amos: what on earth laws are Tim’s coffee drinkers in own vehicles breaking ?
David Amos
Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: Ask Higgy and the RCMP
Michel Forgeron Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: As I understand it, If it's a family member it's ok, ,but a non family member would have to be in the back seat, if you have a back seat. Re other Tim's stuff, in some places you're allowed inside, now can sit at a table etc., as long as you keep 6' distance.
David Amos Reply to @Michel Forgeron: FYI They both were sitting alone in their vehicles
JJ Carrier Reply to @Michel Forgeron: Some Tim's are requesting you stay six feet away from David Amos...Something about hot air with no substance or coherent presentation besides his own 'egobubble' that causes your TimBits to explode...
Ray Oliver
Reply to @JJ Carrier: Just the smell of him alone will give ya that 6 feet. Can't manage a haircut in 20 years or soo showering is most likely a biweekly event at best!
Justin Gunther
Reply to @Ray Oliver: Not surprising that the CBC is allowing egregious personal attacks against certain individuals. If I suggest that somebody might have an IQ below 150 I get instabanned for being mean.
Lou Bell
Reply to @David Amos: Sure they have ! The same people needing ER service nightly at the Sussex ER !!! It's so busy ! Busier than at Tims !!!
Lou Bell
Reply to @David Amos: You're the guy spreading the GOSSIP ! You tell us
Lou Bell
Reply to @Dave Corbin: Most likely Timmies doen't like nefarious looking characters hangin' around their businesses and called the Police !
Lou Bell
Reply to @David Amos: Tell us what they threatened them with Dave ! Tell us who and exactly what was said . Or , most likely , another social media conspiracy theorist .
Ray Oliver
Reply to @Lou Bell: "Trust that I called them and they can't deny we spoke" will be his response. Oh the worldly advice he must yield. I should give him my #. You hang up first. No you hang up Davey!
David Amos
Reply to @Justin Gunther: Methinks anyone call Google Tim Hortons Hampton RCMP N'esy Pas?
"I have an incredible update to the story of Walter Matheson. He's the Hampton, New Brunswick resident who was ticketed almost $300 by police for failure to comply with emergency measures in a Tim Hortons parking lot while he ate his muffin and finished his coffee, completely alone in his car."
David Amos Reply to @JJ Carrier: Methinks its not surprising that a lot of your nasty friends use fake names but at least I know that you don't N'esy Pas?
David Amos
Reply to @Lou Bell: "Tell us who and exactly what was said"
Methinks even your nasty no-name buddy Ray or his MLA Mr Oliver can pick up their smart phones and say "Hey Google" then ask about the RCMP in Hampton and Mr Matheson N'esy Pas?
James Smythe What about the Great Wave of Kanagawa? Why is nobody talking about that?!
Evelyn Gaudreau
Reply to @James Smythe: humour is a very subtle art... not all attempts succeed.
David Amos
Reply to @Evelyn Gaudreau: Methinks its hard to love a critic N'esy Pas?
Lou Bell Reply to @David Amos: Some , not mentioning any names , have no clue about what they're criticizing , just wanna hear themselves complain .
JoeBrown "My gut tells me that masks will prove to be important," he said, "And just by way of reminder, they're important because they help you keep your droplets to yourself so that you protect others and that others wearing masks protects you." This is why the virus will never go away despite the fact this simple solution exists to cut spread. Most people don't care about others so won't mask up.
June Arnott
Reply to @JoeBrown: yup, selfish Canadians abound.
David Amos
Reply to @June Arnott: So you say
Tristin Time
Reply to @June Arnott: So you think masks are the cure for this virus?
JoeBrown Reply to @Tristin Time: If she did believe that, she would have said that.
Michael Guravich Hey, CBC, you need to separate yourselves from that lynch mob that wanted to crucify the doctor “that travelled to Quebec”. If you don’t know by now, there’s credible information that he may have had nothing to do with the recent Region 5 cluster. Get yourselves caught up and stop peddling that Higgs hysteria. There were lots of others going back and forth across that bridge, every day.
Tony Mcalbey
Reply to @Michael Guravich: well said
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @Michael Guravich: There's a huge difference between participating in a "lynch mob" that wants to "crucify" someone - anyone - and holding people accountable for their actions. Whether or not the doctor was patient 0 is under investigation. It *is* known that he lied to border officials. And obviously he *did* have something to do with the Zone 5 cluster: he was one of the earliest cases involved in it. The use of inflammatory language, whether pro or con, does nothing to clarify the situation.
Lou Bell
Reply to @Michael Guravich: His P.I. came up with a few " scenarios " that " could possibly have happened " ! It very may have been his child ! I believe he/ she was the 1st person announced ! And who was responsible for bringing her in from Quebec ? He lied to border officials and who knows all else that he did ! I'll trust those responsible for the contact tracing than some spin doctoring paid P.I. brought in to claim otherwise !
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @Lou Bell: "I believe he/ she was the 1st person announced !" - We know that the first person announced was a child, both of whose parents were healthcare workers. I've never read a credible source stating that these parents were in fact the doctor and his wife. I'd respectfully suggest that this is the kind of speculation we need to put on hold while the investigation proceeds.
Lou Bell
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: As I said , I have faith in the contact tracing that was done by the Dept. of Health and they haven't said or done anything that would indicate there's anything different ! The only thing we've heard is his HIRED P.I. said there could be other scenarios. If it wasn't him I'd bet my money it was his child . Funny the P.I. made no mention of that !
Filip Krynick
Reply to @Michael Guravich: "Ngola said he drove straight there and back with no stops and had no contact with anyone" now he's saying that people he came contact with in quebec are tested negative... so was it no contact or with contact.
Chris Jones
Reply to @Lou Bell: Why would you have faith / trust for people responsible for contact tracing, when it's clear they don' t have (or haven't released) any hard evidence. It's complete speculation at this point. There's been no charges laid to this point, which indicates they don't have the firm evidence to say it was the Dr in question.
There's a reason why the justice system is "Innocent until proven guilty". There's certainly flaws within the court systems, but it's still a hell of a lot better than vigilantism rules and accusations.
Monsieur Rioux
Reply to @Michael Guravich: Could somebody clarify please. Was it not reported that after the second long period with no new cases, a child (with a connection to do different day cares) was a new live case and that the child's parents didn't understand how because they had taken all precautions. Were we not then told that a doctor had travelled outside the province, had misled the border officials and then failed to self isolate, followed by the revelation that the doctor was the child's father? While people have been unable to visit ill and dying relatives and even attend funerals LOCALLY, the child's mother saw fit to fly to another continent for a funeral with the doctor facilitating this action, potentially coming back into NB two people with the virus (he and child), with neither isolating. Am I remembering this incorrectly or was it reported this way but then retracted?
Monsieur Rioux
Reply to @SarahRose Werner: I believe it was eventually reported, a few days after the news about the doc surfaced, on these very pages that it was father and child.
David Amos
Reply to @Michael Guravich: YUP
Carlson MacKenzie
Reply to @Lou Bell: " I'll trust those responsible for the contact tracing than some spin doctoring paid P.I. brought in to claim otherwise !"
You didn't include the keyboard cowboys who no doubt get their impressive knowledge from the flatulate wind that blows when they raise a leg slightly from their chair.
David Amos
Reply to @Carlson MacKenzie: Oh My My
Carlson MacKenzie
Reply to @David Amos: Look! There's one now!
Graham MacNab
Reply to @Michael Guravich: What credible information? The info from the Private Investigator that he hired?
SarahRose Werner Reply to @Monsieur Rioux: According to Dr Ngola, as reported by the CBC June 2, he was contacted on May 25 and told that one of his patients had tested positive. He then had himself and his daughter tested. They too both tested positive. However, the first case of COVID in the outbreak, the case of a child who'd attended two different daycares, was reported May 21. Therefore this child was not the doctor's daughter, because she wasn't tested until the 25th or 26th (assuming that the doctor is telling the truth re: her testing date, but he'd be foolish to lie about something so easily verifiable). It *might* be that the child in the first case was another child of the doctor's, but I've never read this in any reliable source.
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @Graham MacNab: If you read Dr Ngola's statements to the CBC closely, *all* that the PI found was that there are other possibilities to Dr Ngola being patient 0. Until these possibilities are investigated further, we simply don't know whether or not the doctor was patient 0.
Monsieur Rioux Reply to @SarahRose Werner: When the child's positive test was announced, it came with "both parents are health care workers at the hospital" and then when it was announced that a health care worker at the hospital had previously been out of NB and back without isolating and had returned with his daughter, one didn't need to be too cynical to assume that the child was his.
However, a key factor is that with each announced subsequent positive test and contact tracing in the early cases, before it took hold in the care home, it was stated that each person testing positive had contact with the person reported previously who had failed to isolate upon returning to the province.
My newspaper and CTV have reported one child only in this batch of positive results.
John Oliver
Reply to @Monsieur Rioux: If you travel to Longueuil and then stop to discuss job opportunities in Trois-Rivieres. I am going to be skeptical that you are not the source of the infection. It would be best if his ex-wife could be tested, as well. The child is potentially patient zero, not the doctor. He travelled as late as May 16.
The Campbellton COVID-19 cluster started when a child in the Campbellton region was diagnosed on May 21. Five days later, an individual in their 90s tested positive in the same zone. The next day, the province announced a person in their 50s had tested positive.
During the week of May 10, he drove to the Montreal suburb of Longueuil to pick up his daughter after her mother had to leave the country for a family emergency. There, he said he limited his contacts to the 4-year-old and his brother, who had been caring for her. On his way back, he stopped in the city of Trois-Rivières to meet with two fellow physicians for a discussion about the pandemic and possible future work in Quebec. A private investigator hired by Mr. Ngola’s lawyer said the meeting took place in a local clinic for about 20 minutes.
SarahRose Werner
Reply to @Monsieur Rioux: Serious accusations - let alone legal charges - should never be based on assumptions.
David Amos
Reply to @Graham MacNab: Methinks your heroes in the RCMP cannot deny that over a year ago I made Higgy et al well aware that the Private Eye and i have old business from way back when he was the boss of IMET Obviously that was long before he took this latest gig on behalf of a traveling doctor N'esy Pas?
Dr. Jennifer Russell, New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health, has said there will be more cases of COVID-19 in the future and residents need to remain vigilant. (Government of New Brunswick)
The province will extend its state of emergency for another two weeks after Public Health announced two new cases of COVID-19 in the Campbellton region Thursday.
The new cases are two employees at the Campbellton Regional Hospital. One person is in their 30s and the other is in their 40s.
"All of the stakeholders at the Campbellton Regional Hospital are mobilized to ensure that everything is in place to provide quality care and ensure the safety of patients and staff," said Gilles Lanteigne, chief executive officer of Vitalité Health Network.
"Our processes are in place, our staff are trained and have the personal protective equipment they need to do their jobs. I am confident that we will get through these difficult times."
Three people have recovered from COVID-19 in the Campbellton region, keeping the total number of active cases in New Brunswick at 29.
Since March, there has been 153 cases of COVID-19 in the province, including one death.
Two staff members at the Campbellton Regional Hospital have been diagnosed with COVID-19. (Shane Fowler/CBC)
"This is an evolving situation at the Campbellton Regional Hospital and everyone must watch for symptoms since COVID-19 is going to be with us for a long time," said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health.
As of Thursday, 35,753 tests have been conducted for the respiratory virus.
Red Cross tries to help seniors feel less isolated
The Red Cross is starting a program to help seniors feel less isolated during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Friendly Calls program will see isolated seniors matched with volunteers from the Red Cross. Volunteers will regularly call seniors to check in and talk. The goal is to reduce feelings of isolation in a group that is particularly at risk of COVID-19 and who might already have felt isolated.
"It's just someone to talk to for those folks who have no one to talk to," said Bill Lawlor, provincial director of the Red Cross.
"They don't have family around, at least in the Atlantic provinces. Or they don't have family at all. No one to provide that type of support."
Seniors or their families can call the Red Cross and go through a short introductory interview to make sure they're a good fit for the program.
After that, seniors are matched with a volunteer.
"We find a volunteer who can meet the schedule, try to see if we can meet some similar personality traits as much as possible, and then we'll give it a trial run," said Lawlor. "If it continues to work well then they'll just carry on … if not, that's ok. We can switch out."
Provincial Red Cross director Bill Lawlor said the new Red Cross program will help seniors feel less isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Shane Fowler/CBC)
While the goal of the program is to ease feelings of isolation, Lawlor said similar programs in the past have helped in other ways, such as detecting early stages of memory loss.
"In the course of a conversation, you can start to pick up things that might suggest that someone is not feeling well, but they haven't made an appointment with their physician," said Lawlor.
Lawlor doesn't have concrete numbers for how many volunteers are needed but is urging anyone interested to call the Red Cross.
He also urges family and friends to talk to seniors about joining the program, particularly those who are shy
"There's those folks who could really benefit from this interaction who you know they won't call," said Lawlor. "They don't feel they will benefit from it even though clearly they could."
New Brunswickers encouraged to renew licences
The province is urging people to renew licences, registrations, certificates and permits that had their expiration dates extended until the end of June due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Waiting until the end of June could cause delays, particularly for driver's licences, which take two weeks to process and be mailed out.
The province said Service New Brunswick has been increasing the number of services it offers online and through Teleservices, especially for some of its most requested renewals, such as driver's licences.
"Online and Teleservices are the most accessible, safe and convenient service methods," said Service New Brunswick Minister Sherry Wilson in a news release
"Based upon the significant increase in these methods, we believe New Brunswickers are embracing them." Twelve centres offer in-person services, by appointment only, for things that cannot be completed online or through Teleservices.
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.
44 Comments Commenting is now closed for this story.
David Amos Methinks as the stock market go down again all the MLAs, bureaucrats, unions and teachers etc regret allowig Higgy to put their money into a shared risk pension plan but at least my fellow taxpayers should be grateful that we no longer have to make for their losses like Victor Boudreau did with his budget in 2009 N'esy Pas?
David Peters Reply to @David Amos: What's with NB Power sending so many ppl home at Pt Lepreau and Coleson Cove? Warehousing patronage appointments all of a sudden has become unsafe?
David Amos Content disabled Methinks the RCMP and their Fed bosses are beginning to figure out that Higgy cannot corner a virus and better than he can herd the cats in the legislature notwithstanding the fact that Cardy is now willing to share his butter tarts with anyone except Bruce Northrup N'esy Pas?
Terry Tibbs Content disabled Reply to @David Amos: We shut our entire economy down, lost all of our jobs and put ourselves in astronomical amounts of debt for a “disease” that kills less people than daily life does. It's past time to get back to normal and let the cards fall as they might.
David Amos Content disabled Methinks the RCMP and Higgy et al will enjoy their email tomorrow N'esy Pas?
Ray Oliver Content disabled Reply to @David Amos: Methinks they've been blocked from you for many many years. No one cares.
David Amos Content disabled Methinks a critic who does not obey the rules of this forum and have the sand to use a real name is even more annoying N'esy Pas?
Tony Mcalbey Content disabled Reply to @David Amos: big time annoying
David Amos Content disabled Methinks Higgy is beginning to figure out that he cannot corner a virus and better than he can herd the cats in the legislature notwithstanding the fact that Cardy is now willing to share his butter tarts with anyone N'esy Pas?
Joe Doe Cleaning up the trash
Roy Kirk How do his private investigators know that they identified all of his contacts in Quebec? What incentive did he have to identify every contact. Could he even remember every contact? And even if this is accurate, how does it excuse his failure to isolate after his trip?
David Amos
Content disabled Reply to @Roy Kirk: Methinks as we watch the stock market nosedive again you can bet thin Canadian dimes to fat Yankee Petrodollars that today I called the former RCMP BOSS OF IMET who is the special investigator in this matter and the doctor's lawyer and asked them some tough questions before I sent them and Higgy et al another email N'esy Pas?
June Arnott Hang in there CAmpbelton , New Brunswickers Do care.
David Amos
Content disabled Reply to @June Arnott: Methinks if you had read another article or two about what going on up north you would understand that it would not be wise to bet the farm on your opinion N'esy Pas?
David Amos Content disabled Methinks Higgy is beginning to figure out that he cannot corner a virus and better than he can herd the cats in the legislature notwithstanding the fact that Cardy is now willing to share his butter tarts with anyone N'esy Pas?
Joe Doe Content disabled Reply to @David Amos: N’est-ce pas offensive to NB citizen. So annoying.
David Amos Content disabled Reply to @Joe Doe: Methinks a critic who does not obey the rules of this forum and have the sand to use a real name is eve more annoying N'esy Pas?
Albert Wade Flew to Florida earlier in the week. Just back in NB, what's this about a border closure.
David Amos
Reply to @Albert Wade: Exactly
Joe Doe Reply to @David Amos: yes. Great point. It begins.
Peter Smith Decreasing, n'est pas? Erasing is fun.
David Amos
Reply to @Peter Smith: So you say
Joe Doe Reply to @David Amos: so I do.
David Amos Content disabled Reply to @Joe Doe: You changed names again I see but you smell the same
Ray Oliver Reply to @David Amos: Nope I'm still here but your fan club is growing. You are such a mo r on.
Glen Roberts Guess the border being closed is not really working ...even with your new authoritarian government...
Terry Tibbs
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: Really? The truth is offensive now?
David Amos
Reply to @Terry Tibbs: Truth hurts
Terry Tibbs Reply to @Glen Roberts: Well you see Glen, you close the border, then you invent reasons to let a select few in, than your buddy down the street needs TFWs, so you let them in too, so finally you end up with a border that is closed to only the law abiding taxpayers, but no one else.
David Amos Content disabled Methinks Higgy is beginning to figure out that he cannot corner a virus and better than he can herd the cats in the legislature notwithstanding the fact that Cardy is now willing to share his butter tarts with anyone N'esy Pas?
Tony Mcalbey
Content disabled Reply to @David Amos: Higgy can’t deny that
David Amos
Content disabled Reply to @Tony Mcalbey: My My Methinks its too bad so sad that so many nasty words go "Poof" before I can read them N'esy Pas?
Peter Smith
Content disabled Reply to @David Amos: Your constant N'esy Pas is offensive.
David Amos
Content disabled Reply to @Peter Smith: Methinks you forgot to ask me if i cared what you think of me N'esy Pas?
Peter Smith
Content disabled Reply to @David Amos: I didn't care what you think. Just wanted you to know that you are offensive.
Ray Oliver
Content disabled Reply to @David Amos: Methinks you've got a real good idea on what I think of you by now EH. You are irrelevant in all areas of life. My guess is it's always been that way
Peter Smith
Content disabled Reply to @David Amos:And I truly don't care if you care. Most people with Axis 2 disorders don't.
Ray Oliver
Content disabled Reply to @David Amos: I'm so glad you have spell check using your phone. Your grammar on your blog is barely literate. Shows your actual level of intelligence.
David Amos Content disabled Reply to @Peter Smith: Methinks its not nice to make fun of Axis 2 disorders Hence you must be a Higgy supporter just like your buddy Oliver N'esy Pas?
Ray Oliver Content disabled Reply to @David Amos: Nice? Your behavior on here to pester people has gotten you your own taste of it. It's not nice of me at all. Trust that it's fun though LOL!!
Johnny Almar Content disabled But the good doctor wants an apology. He’s a victim. : /
Ian Scott
Content disabled Reply to @Johnny Almar: He could well be. I doubt the 2 current workers got it from him. So the timelines, patient, and family exposure are key. No one knows what Momma's status is as she is out of country. Cross border traffic is perilous given know one seems to know what the close by Quebec communities that are supplying Campbeltown workers are doing.
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Johnny Almar: Methinks its high time that your buddy Higgy suggests that you went "Poof: again N'esy Pas?
SarahRose Werner
Content disabled Reply to @Ian Scott: If the good doctor had nothing to hide, why didn't he come clean and tell the border officials that he'd been in Quebec for personal reasons? If they'd said he had to self-isolate and he didn't think he had to, he could have continued on home, called public health for clarification and then *done what public health told him to do.* If he'd done that, he would have been covered no matter whether new cases appeared or not. He's in a bad position right now because he got caught lying. He's a victim, all right - of his own poor judgement and dishonesty.
