“What is happening in our province, with the rapidly rising number of active cases, shows just how fragile our bubble is,” said Premier Blaine Higgs at a press conference where 23 new cases of COVID-19 in New Brunswick were announced. This is the single largest daily increase in COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began. “This is a critical time for our province, but we can still turn this around. We need everyone – employers, businesses and residents alike – to do what is right for themselves and everyone.”

“We know most are complying in public places, but some are letting their guard down – and that is leading to the situation we are in, but it’s not too late,” said Health Minister Dorothy Shephard. “We know what we need to do in order to turn this around.”

16 of the new cases are in Zone 2, the Saint John region, which transitioned back to the Orange Level of Recovery on Friday. “We are facing a serious situation with the renewed transmission of the virus in New Brunswick,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health. “Our situation will quickly turn grave if we do not take immediate actions to slow the spread of the disease.”