FREDERICTON — The New Brunswick government is imposing a new measure to address continuing high numbers of COVID-19 cases in the province.
As of 6 p.m. Friday, if someone tests positive for COVID-19, everyone in their household — regardless of their vaccination status — must isolate for up to 14 days, and failure to do so could result in a fine of between $480 and $20,400.
Household members who are fully vaccinated will be able to leave isolation only if they test negative after five days.
Chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell says 49 per cent of new cases in the past week resulted from transmission within a household.
The province reported 72 new COVID-19 cases today, bringing the number of active cases to 566, with 28 people hospitalized, including 14 in intensive care.
Meanwhile Premier Blaine Higgs says he won't extend Friday's deadline for all government employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, meaning about 2,000 employees will be placed on leave without pay at the end of the day Friday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 18, 2021.
The Canadian Press
