FOG BLOG NB NEWS LOG: NB PREMIER TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID 19 AS CASE COUNT GROWS EVER HIGHER:

N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Premier tests positive for COVID-19; non-urgent surgeries cancelled.....Province can expect up to 100 COVID patients in hospitals if 1,000 cases per day is reached in January.....New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has announced he has tested positive for COVID-19 after completing a rapid test.

Higgs participated virtually in a news conference Friday morning to update the public on COVID-19 testing, isolation and contact tracing in light of the dominant Omicron variant.

The premier said he came into close contact with others who were positive and is now awaiting a PCR test result. Higgs, who had received two doses of AstraZeneca vaccine and a booster shot, said he is experiencing mild cold-like symptoms in the form of a cough, sore throat and head congestion. He is isolating with his family.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau conveyed his best wishes Friday for the premier's recovery. "At the current rate of growth, we could see as many as 1,000 new cases every day within a week," said Health Minister Dorothy Shephard at the news conference.

She said while hospitalization numbers remain relatively low, that is likely to change in the days ahead.