The new death toll puts the province as a whole across the pandemic at 349, according to an update to the government’s COVID-19 control panel, which was only updated on Tuesdays in recent weeks. COVID-19-related hospitalizations also continued to rise, rising from 99 two weeks ago to 129 a week ago, to 142 as of Tuesday. On February 28, the county reported that the hospitalization was 89. Of those currently being treated, 66 were admitted because of COVID-19, while 76 were patients who tested positive after being admitted for something else. The new figures come just two weeks after the provincial government lifted all restrictions on COVID-19, such as mandatory indoor coverage, concentration limits and isolation requirements for those who tested positive.

Reduction of ICU patients

As hospitals continue to grow, the number of patients in need of intensive care has dropped from 16 to eight. That number was 13 two weeks ago. Of those currently being treated in the ICU, five are there due to COVID-19, while three were admitted for other reasons but tested positive. The number of people on a ventilator has also been reduced from five to three. There are currently 633 COVID-positive healthcare workers in isolation, representing an increase of 143 from last week. This week’s number includes 281 employees at Vitalité Health Network, 274 at Horizon Health Network and 78 at Extra-Mural or Ambulance New Brunswick. The total capacity of health care in the province is 90 percent, while the fullness in the ICU is 73 percent.

“We know a sixth wave is coming”

The debate in the legislature on Tuesday took place between Health Minister Dorothy Shephard and Liberal Opposition leader Roger Melanson, with Shephard accusing Melanson of “fear” and Melanson suggesting that Prime Minister Blaine Higgs be ousted. from New Brunswickers for protection against COVID. “There is a sixth wave that worries some New Brunswickers, many New Brunswickers [about]”, Said Melanson. “If it gets worse, is the government going to act? Will the government take any steps to try to minimize some of the risks of the sixth wave?” In response, Shephard said the government remains “agile” in its ability to take instructions from Public Health. Health Secretary Dorothy Shephard said her government remains agile in its ability to respond to Public Health recommendations. (Ed Hunter / CBC)
“We know a sixth wave is coming, we see it now, but we also know that what is happening in our province is still happening elsewhere,” he said. “We followed the epidemiological information. We have high vaccination rates. Mr President, there is no easy answer here, but if Public Health tells us we need to take more action, they will come to the government with recommendations. “Mr President, these are the roads we will take when they happen.” Speaking to CBC News on Tuesday, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell said trends in jurisdictions other than New Brunswick show a sixth wave on the horizon. However, he said the numbers currently appearing in New Brunswick are still part of the fifth wave, adding that they appear to be peaking and starting to decline over the next two weeks. “Will we end this wave before the next wave strikes? This is not certain, but we are still having these national discussions about what to expect in the coming weeks and months,” Russell said.

Distribution of new deaths

The 13 COVID-related deaths reported on Tuesday occurred in five of the county’s seven zones, including seven in Zone 1, the Moncton area, one in Zone 2, the Saint John area, two in Zone 3, the Fredericton area , two in Zone 6, the Bathurst area and one in Zone 7, Miramichi area. Moncton District, Zone 1

One person in their 50s, one person in their 70s and 80s and four 90s and up

Agios Ioannis area, Zone 2 Fredericton Area, Zone 3

A person in his 70s and a person in his 90s and over

Bathurst District, Zone 6

A person in his 70s and a person in his 90s and over

Miramichi District, Zone 7

7,647 new cases

The toolkit update also shows that 3,096 new COVID-19 cases were detected using laboratory PCR tests, while 4,551 new cases were detected by rapid home tests. Peripheral analysis of PCR-confirmed cases includes: Moncton District, Zone 1 Agios Ioannis area, Zone 2 Fredericton Area, Zone 3 Edmundston area, Zone 4 Campbellton Area, Zone 5 Bathurst District, Zone 6 Miramichi District, Zone 7