New Brunswick’s top doctor announced six new presumptive cases of COVID-19 on Saturday.
Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health, says that brings the total number of confirmed or probable cases to 17.
The new cases involve men and women ranging in age from 20 to 70 years old.
Five of the six are in Zone 2 (southern New Brunswick) while the sixth is in Zone 3 (central New Brunswick).
Russell says four of the individuals cases had been on a cruise, one is a direct contact of a previously identified presumptive case, and the other is a close contact to a travel-related presumptive case.
She says the new cases are mild to moderate all individuals are self-isolating at home.
And although many are following government advisories on hand-washing and social distancing, Russell says all New Brunswickers need to take the state on emergency seriously.
“We need to behave like we all have COVID-19,” said Russell.
She says so far 747 people have been tested at a rate of about 100 tests per day.
Meanwhile, Russell was pleased with the public’s response to the new online assessment tool.
“Yesterday, almost 5,500 individuals used the self-assessment tool,” says Russell. “This has led to a reduction in the number of calls to the 811 line, which has allowed our health-care professionals to assist callers more promptly.”
Russell says the wait-time for the 811 line is now less than 30 minutes.
