New Brunswick now has 130 active cases of COVID-19, the largest number of active cases the province has seen since the start of the pandemic. Although vaccination clinics are already underway, including two this week at long-term care facilities in Charlotte County, there is still a long road ahead and case numbers are projected to continue climbing after holidays. 

“The current situation is the worst we have seen so far during this pandemic,” said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health, at a press conference on Thursday in Fredericton. “We have managed to overcome all previous COVID-19 events through the co-operative efforts of staff, partner organizations and the general public. This experience guides us now. We must all do our part to meet the challenge facing us.”

Public Health has declared an outbreak at Fundy Manor II, a 28-bed special care home in Hillsborough, and at Parkland Riverview’s Canterbury Hall, a 60-bed special care home in Riverview. On Wednesday, Jan. 6, a positive case of COVID-19 was confirmed at Bessborough School in Moncton and the school community has been notified. The entire province is currently in the Orange level of recovery.

“We are facing a serious situation in our province and must continue to act quickly and decisively to protect New Brunswickers,” said Health Minister Dorothy Shephard. “While it is easy to focus on the negative at a time like this, I encourage everyone to think about the steps you can take to protect yourself and others, and the steps others are taking to protect you. We will get through this by working together and supporting one another.”