News - Stories and Rants
Saturday, 4 April 2020
UPDATE on APRIL 3thTH, 2020 - New Brunswick Coronavirus Crisis---Four new cases of COVID-19, assistance for post-secondary students!!!!
News Release
Health
Office of the Premier
Four new cases of COVID-19, assistance for post-secondary students
03 April 2020
FREDERICTON (GNB) – Public Health has updated the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the province.
Testing at the microbiology laboratory at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre in Moncton has identified four new cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in New Brunswick to 95.
Of the 95 cases, 54 are travel-related, 28 are close contacts of confirmed cases, three cases are from community transmission and 10 cases remain under investigation.
In six cases individuals were hospitalized, but two have since been discharged. Four patients remain in hospital, with one in the intensive care unit.
To date, 25 people have recovered.
The new cases are:
An individual aged 30-39 in Zone 3 (Fredericton region)
An individual aged 40-49 in Zone 3 (Fredericton region)
An individual aged 60-69 in Zone 3 (Fredericton region)
An individual aged 30-39 in Zone 5 (Campbellton region)
“As we see our cases continue to increase it is important that we keep washing our hands, continue to practise physical distancing and also continue to stay at home,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. “What we do now to flatten the curve will save lives in our province. We have community transmission so please follow the guidelines.”
Assistance for post-secondary students
The Emergency Bridging Fund for Vulnerable Post-Secondary Students will support students who are directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be distributed by post-secondary institutions based upon eligibility criteria and will provide a one-time amount of up to $750 per student.
“The fund will support post-secondary students, including international students, who demonstrate a financial gap in meeting their basic needs between now and the end of the term,” said Premier Blaine Higgs.
Students must contact their institution directly to be considered and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Funding support will be based upon the need for food, shelter, unanticipated medical costs not covered through health plans, and unforeseen additional academic costs.
To qualify, vulnerable students must not qualify for the one-time $900 provincial emergency fund as of March 30. They must be in a position in which they cannot access money through student loans, Employment Insurance, personal savings, or other COVID-19 related financial assistance programs.
Parks
All provincial parks as well as playgrounds provincewide are closed.
Higgs said today that if municipalities are going to keep their parks and trails open, they must have mechanisms in place to ensure that the limitations on the number of people that can gather is enforced.
“Appropriate signage must be put up at access points to identify limitations on gatherings and the requirements for physical distancing,” said Higgs. “If a municipality cannot monitor usage of their premises, they should be closed.”
Landlords and tenants
Higgs clarified confusion that has arisen around the state of emergency and how it impacts tenants.
The mandatory order under the Emergency Measures Act suspends the right for landlords to evict tenants for non-payment of rent, through to May 31.
“People can still be evicted,” said Higgs. However, the reason for the eviction cannot be that they are unable to pay their rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All other tenant obligations remain.”
If somebody is unable to pay their rent, they must discuss the matter with their landlord and make the appropriate arrangements for payment.
Up-to-date information about COVID-19 is available online.
03-04-20
Friday, 3 April 2020
Thursday, 2 April 2020
Wednesday, 1 April 2020
UPDATE on APRIL 1ST, 2020 - New Brunswick Coronavirus Crisis---
News Release
Health
Office of the Premier
Eleven new cases of COVID-19; personal protection equipment supply meets current demand
01 April 2020
FREDERICTON (GNB) – Public Health has updated the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the province.
Testing at the microbiology laboratory at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre in Moncton has identified 11 new cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in New Brunswick to 81.
Out of the 81 cases, 43 are travel-related, 22 are close contacts of confirmed cases, three cases are from community transmission and 13 cases remain under investigation.
Fourteen people have since recovered from the virus and four people are in hospital, including two of the latest cases.
The new cases are:
An individual aged 20-29 in Zone 1 (Moncton region)
An individual aged 50-59 in Zone 1 (Moncton region)
An individual aged 40-49 in Zone 2 (Saint John region)
An individual aged 60-69 in Zone 2 (Saint John region)
An individual aged 50-59 in Zone 2 (Saint John region)
An individual aged 30-39 in Zone 3 (Fredericton region)
An individual aged 40-49 in Zone 3 (Fredericton region)
An individual aged 50-59 in Zone 3 (Fredericton region)
An individual aged 50-59 in Zone 3 (Fredericton region)
An individual aged 50-59 in Zone 5 (Campbellton region)
An individual aged 60-69 in Zone 5 (Campbellton region)
Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health, said as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, it becomes increasingly important that we protect those who are protecting us.
“Doctors, nurses, paramedics, lab technicians and a host of other health-care workers are working hard every day to protect us against the spread of this virus and provide care to those who become ill because of it,” said Russell. “They are putting themselves in harm’s way for all of us and they deserve our profound gratitude.”
State of emergency enforcement
The all-party cabinet committee on COVID-19 and the cabinet have agreed to extend the state of emergency declaration issued March 19 for another 14 days. The order will be reassessed after two weeks and will be extended as needed.
Premier Blaine Higgs stressed that failing to obey the emergency order has serious consequences, with fines ranging from $292.50 to $10,200.
“Most New Brunswickers understand that we are under a state of emergency and have been acting appropriately,” said Higgs. “But we are still seeing reports of people who are not taking the situation seriously. We need these people to understand that violating an order is against the law.”
Personal protection equipment (PPE) for health-care workers
Higgs said he was pleased to hear the federal government will invest $2 billion to produce necessary supplies, including ventilators, testing kits and personal protective equipment such as masks, face shields, gowns and hand sanitizer.
“We will continue to work closely with the federal government and the other provinces to ensure we have access to these supplies in New Brunswick as the demand increases,” said Higgs.
Russell urged the public not to obtain or use supplies made for the health-care sector.
“I am confident we have the medical supplies we need to meet the current demands of this pandemic,” said Russell. “But we cannot afford to waste our resources. We must maintain our supplies and use them appropriately.”
Flatten the curve
Higgs repeated calls for everyone to do their part to protect all New Brunswickers.
“Since this pandemic began, we have all been asked to make sacrifices,” said Higgs. “We need all of you to do your part. We need you to continue to stay at home and keep a safe physical distance from other people. We need you to help us flatten the curve.”
Up-to-date information about COVID-19 is available online.
01-04-20
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