(Fredericton) New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs confirmed he had COVID-19 on Friday and said he was only experiencing mild symptoms from the vaccination.
Mr Higgs revealed that he tested positive on a rapid drug test on Wednesday morning. Cold-like symptoms such as a cough, sore throat and headache set him off.
“I am fully vaccinated, in addition to having received my booster dose,” the Premier said virtually at a press conference in Fredericton.
“This is why I am confident that my symptoms will remain mild,” he added.
Mr Higgs said he is monitoring his symptoms closely and using rapid drug tests, as some of his family have come into close contact with people infected with the virus.
His rapid test result will be confirmed by a PCR test shortly.
Until then, the Prime Minister remains in isolation at home alongside his family. He said everyone “feels good”.
On Twitter, the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, wished Mr. Higgs a speedy recovery.
“Sorry to hear you tested positive for COVID-19, [premier ministre Higgs], but I’m glad you only have mild symptoms. Sophie and I are thinking of you and your family during your isolation and recovery, ”Trudeau wrote.
Health Minister Dorothy Shephard has warned that the Omicron variant is currently wreaking havoc in New Brunswick, to the point where the province could record 1,000 new infections daily in less than a week.
“Currently, we are at the gates of our worst situation since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,” warned the Minister.
The province’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr.re Jennifer Russell, announced certain measures to protect the capacity of the health network. PCR screening tests will be reserved for populations at risk, including residents and employees of long-term care centers, detention centers and homeless shelters.
Symptomatic people aged 50 and over, those who need a test to travel and anyone else deemed a priority will also have access to a PCR test.
Those who use a rapid test instead will have to enter their result on a new government platform, which could be available as early as next week.
Education Minister Dominic Cardy has indicated that New Brunswick students will be doing distance learning starting January 11, and at least until January 21. An update will be made during the week of January 17th.