New Brunswick reports 10 new cases of COVID-19, outbreak continues at UNB campus

New Brunswick reported 10 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the number of active cases in the province to 118.

There are two new cases in Zone 1, two new cases in Zone 3, three new cases in Zone 3, and one new case in Zone 6. All cases are close contacts of other cases or related to travel, except one of the cases in Zone 1, which is under investigation.

The province is currently dealing with an outbreak at the Magee House residence at UNB’s Fredericton Campus, which is connected to at least 10 cases. During a news conference Thursday afternoon, Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province’s chief medical officer of health, said that outbreak appears to be connected to cases found at George Street Middle School.

Contacts in that school are to be retested this weekend, with the hopes that the school will reopen on Monday.

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As well, residents and staff of Elizabeth Parr-Johnston residence were tested due to a possible exposure, and all those tests came back negative.

UNB announced Wednesday it is extending its shutdown, which was announced earlier this week, until Sunday.

The province is also keeping tabs on two recent exposures. A small group of people from Fredericton High School may have been exposed to the virus “from a source outside of the school.” Public Health has contacted the people and they are self-isolating and being tested.

The school remains open but staff and students are being reminded to self-monitor for symptoms.

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As well, there is a possible public exposure at the Canada Post at 135 Otis Dr. in Nackawic from April 19-22.

As a result, a temporary outdoor drive-through testing clinic has been set up at the parking lot of the Nackawic Shopping Mall.  Testing will be by appointment and will be open from noon until 5 p.m. until Friday.

A section of Zone 4, including Edmundston and the Upper Madawaska region, Saint-Léonard, Grand Falls, Drummond, New Denmark and Four Falls remain in the orange level.

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All other communities remain in the yellow level.

No travel is recommended in or out of areas in the orange levels but travel between areas in orange is permitted. Travel among yellow-level areas is also permitted.

– With files from Rebecca Lau