News Highlights for Southwest New Brunswick: October 12-19, 2021

New Brunswick hit more grim milestones this week with over 1000 active covid-19 cases currently in the province and the first case of a person in the 19 and under age group in the hospital due to the virus. On Tuesday, encouraged New Brunswickers once again to get vaccinated, insisting that while breakthrough cases will still occur, the vaccine is proven to be the best defense against serious symptoms and hospitalizations. 

“The evidence is clear: if you are unvaccinated, you are 18 times more likely to become severely ill if you contract the COVID-19 virus,” said Dr. Russell. “It also shows that the vaccines are very good at preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death among those infected with the COVID-19 virus.”

Approximately 10% of New Brunswick's COVID-19 cases in September were directly linked to places of worship. Compliance officers visited 63 places of worship over the long weekend. They found only one church to be in violation of the mandatory order.

“I am deeply appreciative that nearly every religious leader and faith community in New Brunswick is doing the right thing by their community and their province,” said New Brunswick Health Minister Dorothy Shephard. “They are requiring proof of vaccination or having smaller, distanced, masked gatherings, or they are taking their celebrations online temporarily. These are tough decisions, but necessary ones, and I appreciate the leadership being shown.”

Since New Brunswick adopted a mandatory vaccination policy to enter a long list of establishments last month, many New Brunswick businesses have been tasked with having to check vaccination papers of customers. The Algonquin Resort in St. Andrews has made that easier for guests staying at the hotel by adopting an innovative proof of vaccination system. 

"Guests are given a bracelet when they check-in that they can then show at the different restaurants in the hotel as proof of vaccination," said Algonquin Resort Marketing Director Pooja Rajmohan. 

Those who choose not wear the bracelet, as well as customers of the resort's restaurants who aren't staying at the hotel, are required to show proof of vaccination before entering hotel dining establishments. The hotel is looking forward to safely welcoming diners this Friday and Saturday night at the hotel's food and wine event. 

The Town of Saint Andrews has 22 deer per square kilometre, which is about 6 times the provincial average. The Deer Nuissance Management Program, which allows St. Andrews landowners within the town of Saint Andrews with a permit to hunt deer on their properties, will now also allow for hunters to donate this meat to the local food bank. It's a pilot project that could eventually be a model for other communities in New Brunswick.

Finally, each year, the St. Andrews Kiwanis Club makes grants available to local community groups and projects from the funds it generates from operating the local campground. From annually sponsoring art programs at Sunbury Shores to school lunch programs, the Kiwanis gives to a number of projects in the town of St. Andrews, including one-time donations to special local initiatives. The Kiwanis Club is currently accepting Grant Applications from the Saint Andrews area until October 31. Visit standrewskiwanis.ca for more details.