At a press conference in Fredericton on Wednesday, November 10, Chief Medical Officer of New Brunswick Dr. Jennifer Russell said that active case numbers and hospitalizations across the province have now stabilized, and Public Health has recommended an end to the circuit breaker measures in Zone 2 (Saint John region), effective at 6pm on Friday.     

“I am pleased to report that Zone 2 has experienced a steady reduction in cases since circuit breaker measures were brought in,” said Dr. Russell. “The reason for the increase in cases today is that a number of people whose infections were first detected by a rapid test have had results confirmed by our lab. As these individuals were already self-isolating, we are confident that the overall trend toward fewer cases should continue, which is why Public Health is comfortable lifting the circuit breaker restrictions.”

Parts of Zone 1 (Moncton region), however, are still experiencing a significant number of new daily cases. Public Health is therefore recommending that the circuit breaker continue for another seven days in part of Zone 1 but will be reduced to only cover the municipalities of Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview where cases are particularly high. The other areas of Zone 1 currently in a circuit breaker will have restrictions lifted on Friday at 6pm.

“This zone has been under circuit breaker restrictions since Oct. 8 and we should be seeing lower cases with these measures in place, but unfortunately we are not,” said Health Minister Dorothy Shephard. “More than half our cases are due to household transmission, which should not be happening. Despite these restrictions, the number of cases remains high, particularly in the Greater Moncton area. We will be increasing enforcement to ensure those who are supposed to be isolating are doing so and to make sure that no household gatherings are taking place.”

Due to an in increase of cases in Zone 7 (Miramichi region), a circuit breaker will go into effect in this area at 6pm on Friday for all of that zone with the exception of Black River Bridge and communities to the east, Murray Settlement and areas south, and New Jersey and communities north.