FREDERICTON — Health officials in New Brunswick are reporting nine new cases of COVID-19 today.

There are six new cases in the Edmundston region, part of which remains under a lockdown, while the Moncton, Fredericton and Bathurst regions each have one new case.

Edmundston deputy mayor Eric Marquis says the number of new cases each day is depressing, but residents are optimistic the numbers will begin to drop soon.

There are 158 active cases in the province and 21 patients are hospitalized, including eight in intensive care.

New Brunswick has administered more than 200,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, with 27.5 per cent of the eligible population 16 and over having received at least one dose.

A number of vaccination clinics were held in the Edmundston and Grand Falls areas over the weekend.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 19, 2021. 

The Canadian Press