1 new case of COVID-19 reported in the Fredericton region
A new case of COVID-19 was recorded in the Fredericton region on Wednesday morning, but the total number of active cases in the province was back down to seven by late afternoon.
The new case, an individual in their 60s, was described by Public Health in a news release early in the day as being past the 14-day contagious period and no longer symptomatic.
Asked why the person was listed as active, Department of Health spokesperson Bruce Macfarlane replied: "In general, if a case is outside the 14 days since the onset of symptoms and is no longer symptomatic, it is considered recovered."
But "some exceptions may apply based on the regional medical officer of health's risk assessment," he said in an emailed statement.
"Today's case was indicated as active in this morning's report and since then, a case report was received and confirmed that the case had recovered. This will be amended and reflected in tomorrow's report."
Officials suspect the case is travel-related and connected to another confirmed case in the Fredericton region (health Zone 3) reported Tuesday, an individual in their 40s who remains in isolation.
Both cases are under investigation.
"It is up to all of us to slow the spread of the virus," Dr. Cristin Muecke, deputy chief medical officer of health, said in a statement. "Help keep New Brunswick in the Yellow level of recovery until a vaccine or treatment is available."
The six other active cases are temporary foreign workers who were still in isolation in Moncton, health Zone 1, after arriving in New Brunswick, when they tested positive for the respiratory disease.
Four of the workers are from Mexico and were destined for jobs in Miramichi, Premier Blaine Higgs has said. They are all in their 30s.
As for the other two workers, one is in their 40s and one is in their 50s. No other information about them was released, but one travelled from Cancun.
All six foreign workers must continue to self-isolate until they're cleared by Public Health.
The province has recorded 178 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began in mid-March. Two people have died and 168 have recovered.
On Tuesday, 234 tests were conducted for COVID-19. A total of 55,613 tests have been conducted since the pandemic started.
What to do if you have a symptom
People concerned they might have COVID-19 symptoms can take a self-assessment test 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.
People with one of those symptoms are asked to:
Stay at home.
Call Tele-Care 811 or their doctor.
Describe symptoms and travel history.
Follow instructions.
