COVID-19 testing in New Brunswick has changed. Here's what you need to know
CBC
Faced with a growing strain on the health-care system due to the Omicron COVID-19 variant, the provincial government announced on New Year's Eve that it would scaling back PCR testing for those in the general population.
"If we hit a rate of 1,000 cases a day, we could see more than 160 COVID-19 patients in hospitals across New Brunswick by mid-January," Health Minister Dorothy Shephard said during a press conference on Friday that provided an update on the province's response to a surge in Omicron cases.
As of 11:59 Tuesday, PCR tests will only be available for select populations deemed high risk. That includes:
Anyone who doesn't qualify for a PCR test will have to take a rapid test.
"Everyone else including people who are symptomatic but under the age of 50, and not in a vulnerable setting will take point of care rapid tests instead," said Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health.
A positive rapid test will be treated as a positive result, which means it doesn't have to be confirmed by a PCR test. If you test positive at home you'll now need to register your test results online through a new form that will be available on the Government of New Brunswick COVID-19 website next week.
Rapid tests have been in short supply in the province. But Public Health says 504,000 more tests are expected to arrive on Jan.6, and another two million will arrive Jan. 7-12.
Those who do test positive, either from a rapid test or PCR test, now have reduced isolation requirements depending on vaccination status.
Vaccinated people who test positive will need to isolate for five days, while those who are unvaccinated will need to isolate for 10 days.
Household close contacts are also being asked to follow the same guidance based on their vaccination status.
The shorter isolation requirements are meant to "help prevent staff shortages among those who support critical infrastructure, including health care, long-term care, power, water, law enforcement, transportation, food security, child care and education," according to the province.
Even after isolation is complete, people are being asked to wear masks at all times and stay away from gatherings and vulnerable settings for another five days.
If a close contact develops symptoms, they will be asked to take a rapid test unless they meet the requirements for a PCR test.
New Brunswick isn't the only province to reduce isolation requirements. Russell stated the move is based on the latest science.
P.E.I.'s Public Schools Branch is looking for 50 substitute bus drivers, and it'll be recruiting at three job fairs on Saturday, June 8. The job fairs are located at the Atlantic Superstore in Montague, Royalty Crossing in Charlottetown, and the bus parking lot of Three Oaks Senior High in Summerside. All three run from 9 a.m. until noon. Dave Gillis, the director of transportation and risk management for the Public Schools Branch, said the number of substitute drivers they're hiring isn't unusual. "We are always looking for more. Our drivers tend to have an older demographic," he said.