Coronavirus: What’s happening in Canada and around the world on Wednesday – CBC

‘We need your help’: N.B. health minister urges public to assist with pandemic response

Jan 19, 2022

New Brunswick’s health minister is asking the public for assistance as the province struggles with a growing wave of COVID-19 that has sparked concern over the strained health-care system.

“We need your help,” Dorothy Shephard, the province’s health minister, said in a statement. “Whether you are retired, non-practising or unlicensed – if you have experience that can help, please reach out to us.”

The health minister said the Omicron variant is causing both increased hospitalizations and staff absences, which is “putting pressure on all aspects of our health-care system.”

Health officials in New Brunswick on Tuesday said three more people who had COVID-19 had died, bringing the number of recorded deaths in the province to 192. The province also said a total of 113 people were hospitalized with COVID-19, including 15 in intensive care. The province, which is one of many jurisdictions in Canada that now restrict access to PCR testing, also reported an additional 330 lab-confirmed cases.

The province said it was looking for people to fill both paid and unpaid roles, noting in the statement that training and personal protective equipment would be provided.

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/coronavirus-covid19-canada-world-jan19-2022-1.6320012