N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Province tightens restrictions as omicron variant now confirmed

New Brunswick is tightening COVID-19 measures, amid soaring COVID cases and, now, the confirmed presence of the highly transmissible omicron variant in the province.

One case has been confirmed in the Moncton region, Zone 1, and two cases in the Miramichi region, Zone 7, Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health, announced Monday.

They are linked to the recent outbreak at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S., following events related to the annual X-Ring ceremony at locations both on and off campus, she told a live briefing.

Four other cases in Zones 1 and 7 are directly linked to the confirmed three and presumed to be omicron, Russell said.

"We fully expect to see more."

The province has also recorded two more COVID-related deaths and 100 new cases of the virus.

A person in their 60s in the Moncton region and a person in their 70s in the Miramichi region have died as a result of COVID-19.

There are now 1,048 active cases, she said.

As a result, Premier Blaine Higgs announced new "interim measures" aimed at containing the spread of the virus and preventing hospitals from becoming overwhelmed.

"I know that people are concerned, as am I," he said. "The holiday season is here and with more people gathering and socializing, it is vital that we work together to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our province, as we have done before, while still finding a balance of living with COVID."

The holiday break for students in kindergarten to Grade 6 will begin next week, a week early, he said, noting "the majority" of cases are in children, and 50 to 60 per cent are related directly to activity in schools.

All sports and organized activities for children under 12 will also be suspended, effective at 11:59 p.m. Monday. This includes all tournaments, he said.

For those 12 and older, sporting competitions and games, including upcoming tournaments, are also suspended, effective at 11:59 p.m.

But practices and skill drills are permitted if they only involve one team at a time, and the organization has an operational plan that includes "reasonable effort to ensure distancing and sanitization."