Dr. Cristin Muecke, acting chief medical officer of health for New Brunswick. (Photo: Government of New Brunswick)
Steps are being taken to help prevent a spread of the coronavirus should it present itself in our province.
New Brunswick’s Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Cristin Muecke says, “There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Brunswick art the present time. There are four cases that were confirmed negative by the National Microbiology Laboratory in New Brunswick, which is based out of the Georges-Dumont Hospital. There are a few that are in progress. We will post the status of those on our website.”
Travellers who are returning to New Brunswick from outside the country are being advised to monitor themselves for symptoms.
“We want returning travellers to monitor themselves and their loved ones closely for 14 days,” Dr. Muecke says.
Special measures are in place for those who have visited the Chinese province of Hubei and Iran.
They are being asked to self isolate for 14 days, and limit their contact with others.
Dr.Muecke says symptoms including fever, cough and breathing difficulty could take up to that length of time to present themselves.
The Department of Health says, “All New Brunswickers have a role to play to prevent the spread of respiratory infection by taking simple actions including washing your hands frequently, covering your cough and sneezes, and staying home when sick.”
They are currently working closely with other provincial and territorial public health agencies and the Public Health Agency of Canada, and international partners, to ensure they are prepared for coronavirus.
