The NB reported 23 new coronavirus cases on Saturday, setting a new single-day record

New Brunswick health officials held a rare weekend COVID-19 Update as they announce a new record for the number of COVID-19 cases reported in the province in a single day.

A total of 23 new coronavirus cases were reported in the province on Saturday.

Sixteen of the new cases were in the St. John area, six in the Moncton area and one in the Fredericton area.

As of Saturday, there were 71 active cases in the province.

Dr Jennifer Russell, New Brunswick’s chief medical officer, called on the province to make a “renewed commitment” to defeating COVID-19.

“We can’t continue as our case numbers are low,” Russell said.

The province stated that they were able to trace all the recent cases to one source and that at this time they did not think there was a community transmission in the province.

Saturday is the third consecutive day that the province has provided an update on the status of the virus in New Brunswick, a sign of how serious they are about the status of the virus.

[ Sign up for our Health IQ newsletter for the latest coronavirus updates ]

Russell emphasized that the number of new cases was not unique to New Brunswick, but was similar to the second wave experienced in Canada and around the world.

Russell said 23 cases could be the result of actions taken 14 days ago and that is why New Brunswickers can now change what happens next.

“This is not the time for friends and family to get together,” said the province’s top doctor.

Russell said authorities have completed 421 COVID-19 tests at the Shanex facility in St. John. As a result of the outbreak she announced at the Tucker Hall building on Friday.

The three new cases reported on Saturday were the result of tests conducted in Shanex‌, officials said.

That means there are now four active cases in Tucker Hall. One employee tested positive and three residents tested positive, according to a statement on the Shanex website.

Said Russell Friday Source of “super-spreaders” for growing case numbers In St. John.

Higgs ‘not afraid’ to close businesses

Russell joined Premier Blaine Higgs and Health Minister Dorothy Shepard in Saturday’s weekend update.

Higgs said he would not be “afraid” to close businesses if he was found to be violating COVID-19 regulations.

He said police agencies are going to speed up enforcement and businesses will be check-in.

1:29Coronavirus: NB Zone 2 has shifted to orange level limits amid an increase in cases

The Premier warned that the entire province could be moved to the Orange Zone if necessary.

There are 71 active virus cases in the province and one person was hospitalized as of Saturday but no one was in intensive care at the time.

There have been six deaths related to coronavirus.

Read more: How New Brunswick’s four-step plan to recover from COVID-19 works

New Brunswick completed 115,234 COVID-19 tests.

There have been 424 cases in these provinces since the outbreak began, of which 347 cases will be resolved during this time.

See link