Coronovirus disease (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) virus not previously identified in people. COVID-19 was first identified in Wuhan in China on December 31, in 2019. Globally the situation is evolving rapidly and many countries around the world have cases. Public Health is closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19.
There are currently 138 confirmed cases and 1 death in Canada. For more information visit the Public Health Agency of Canada. The cases in Canada are travel-related and are being isolated to prevent further transmission.
There are currently 1 confirmed* case and 0 deaths in New Brunswick.
New Brunswick Testing and Cases
Confirmed Cases*
1
Probable Cases**
0
Negative Cases***
18
*Confirmed cases are those confirmed positive by the National Microbiology Lab (NML) in Winnipeg.
**Probable cases are those found to have a presumptive positive by the George Dumont Lab but have not yet received a confirmed positive by the NML.
***Negative cases are those found to have a negative confirmation by the NML lab in Winnipeg.
Screening testing is done by the Dr. Georges L. Dumont Hospital
Confirmatory testing is done by the National Microbiology Laboratory.
A pneumonia outbreak, now known to be caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19), was identified in Wuhan, China on December 31, 2019. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the virus a public health emergency and a pandemic. Pandemic occurs when an infectious disease spreads throughout the global population.
As the situation continues to evolve, new travel information and precautions are becoming available.
Know before you go, consult the Public Health Agency of Canada’s current travel notices before your departures.
The current overall risk to New Brunswickers is still considered low by medical experts. The Public Health Agency of Canada is closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19 in other countries.
All individuals who have travelled outside the country should not visit those most at risk for severe illness. All international travelers are restricted entering any health-care facilities and long-term care facilities for 14 days after they have returned to Canada. We are very concerned about keeping this infection out of nursing homes, seniors’ residences, and other locations where vulnerable people are. Anyone who is feeling unwell should not enter such a facility.
International Travellers. Anyone who has traveled internationally in the last 14 days should self-monitor for symptoms for two weeks from when they arrived back in Canada. Individual risk will vary depending on the destination.
Also for Travelers from Chinese Province of Hubei, Iran and Italy. Anyone who has travelled to these areas in the last 14 days will need to self-isolate and self-monitor for symptoms for two weeks from when they arrived back in Canada, regardless of symptoms.
Symptoms such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing may take up to 14 days to appear.
Should an individual who has recently traveled outside the country experience non-specific symptoms (such as headache, congestion, achiness, feeling unwell) they should separate themselves from others and stay home to monitor themselves further.
Should these symptoms progress to include fever or cough, the individual should:
These individuals should pay particular attention to taking everyday precautions as well as generally keeping space between themselves and others, such as minimizing attendance at crowded gatherings and mass events or thinking of other ways of participating (virtual attendance). Protect yourself and others.
They should also think about what health and food supplies they need on hand should they have to stay home, and slowly start replenishing their shelves. Make a Plan.
New Brunswick’s public health officials are carefully monitoring the situation in Canada, and around the world, and are ready to respond should there be any cases in New Brunswick. They are:
Prepared by the New Brunswick Chief Medical Officer of Health: Updated March 13, 2020
