COVID
Two new cases of Covid-19 were reported in New Brunswick on Wednesday. Public Health says one is in the Moncton region, the other is in the Edmundston Health zone. The two cases continue a trend of low case numbers over the past week – including the province’s first day without a new case in over two months on Tuesday.
With recoveries the number of active cases has fallen to 64, with two people currently hospitalized – including one patient in intensive care.
—-NURSING BEDS
New Brunswick Social Development Minister Bruce Fitch says 600 new nursing home beds will be opened in the province over the next five years. Fitch made the comment after the provincial auditor general warned of a looming crisis if the province doesn’t address a shortage of long-term care spaces. He says a new streamlined procedure to request proposals for new nursing homes should speed -up development of additional beds. However – The Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents Rights says the province should concentrate on helping seniors remain in their own homes instead of putting them in long-term care.