New Brunswick premier optimistic lockdown will end as scheduled on Jan. 30

FREDERICTON - New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs stated Friday he was optimistic he would be capable to elevate the lockdown he imposed throughout the province by the tip of the month as deliberate.

COVID-19 hospitalizations are rising at a slower fee and residents throughout the province have lowered their contacts by 30 per cent, Higgs advised a information convention.

“We seemingly haven't but seen the height of instances and hospitalizations however our means to handle the state of affairs is enhancing,” Higgs stated.

There have been 125 folks hospitalized with COVID-19 Friday — up one from Thursday. There have been 14 in intensive care, a rise of two from the prior day. Well being officers additionally reported two extra COVID-19-related deaths — one particular person of their 80s from the Saint John space and one other particular person of their 80s from the Campbellton area.

The federal government imposed the Degree 3 lockdown on Jan. 15 in an effort to curb anticipated will increase in COVID-19 instances and hospitalizations and permit time for extra folks to get vaccinated.

Higgs stated there was a excessive stage of adherence to the principles and that he's optimistic the province will be capable to return to Degree 2 at midnight on Jan. 30.

“We now have 9 days left. We will do that,” he stated. Higgs cautioned the state of affairs may change, however he stated that at this level, he’s happy.

Beneath Degree 3, gatherings are restricted to a single family; salons, spas and leisure centres are closed; and in-person eating isn't permitted in eating places. Colleges will stay on-line till a minimum of Jan. 31.

Degree 2 would permit most enterprise to reopen at lowered capability.

Higgs stated he’s nonetheless involved that unvaccinated individuals are having a huge impact on COVID-19 hospitalizations. “Roughly 75 per cent of our hospitalized instances are both unvaccinated or partially vaccinated,” he stated.

The premier stated he was nonetheless contemplating imposing new measures to encourage extra folks to get vaccinated, including that choices might be mentioned with cupboard and public well being subsequent week.

In the meantime, chief public well being officer Dr. Jennifer Russell stated she was involved about vaccination charges for youngsters aged 5 to 11.

“Since kids turned eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine … 29,002 New Brunswick kids aged 5 to 11 have been vaccinated,” she stated. “However progress has slowed in latest weeks. Simply 53.2 per cent of eligible kids have obtained their first dose.”

Russell stated the vaccine is protected and by getting vaccinated, children might be higher positioned to remain wholesome when in-class studying resumes.

This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Jan. 21, 2022.