New Brunswick will see a COVID-19 briefing at 3:30 featuring Dr. Jennifer Russell and Health Minister Dorothy Shephard.

I will live-tweet the briefing if you'd like to follow along. But likely not all of it... it is Saturday after all!

Starting now! Place your bets.

Just kidding, the audio said "not yet!"

Okay, I guess it's starting now. Up first: Dr. Russell...

Dr. Russell confirms another COVID death in New Brunswick.

Someone in their 70s in Zone 4 has passed away.

This is the 33rd death in New Brunswick due to COVID-19.

Public Health will now operate under the assumption that all confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 are one of the variants of concern.

Dr. Russell says variants have changed the pandemic. "This is no longer business as usual."

Dr. Russell says our healthcare system is under great strain - particularly in Zone 4, where 16 cases of community transmission have been confirmed.

19 new cases of COVID-19 in New Brunswick announced today.

15 in the Edmundston area (Zone 4)
2 in the Fredericton area (Zone 3)
1 in the Moncton area (Zone 1)
1 in the Saint John area (Zone 2)

#BREAKING The Edmundston and Upper Madawaska areas of Zone 4 will transition back into a full lockdown as of midnight tonight.

The rest of Zone 4 will stay where they are (be that Red or Yellow).

Dr. Russell says higher numbers of vaccine doses will be funnelled to Zone 4. She encourages eligible residents there to get vaccinated.

Some hospitalized New Brunswickers have one or both doses of a vaccine already. You could still become sick after getting your shot - but the likelihood of severe symptoms is decreased.

Dr. Russell says follow public health measures, even if vaccinated.

Dorothy Shephard, NB Health Minister, up now. Begins with offering condolences to the families and friends of the individuals who have died due to COVID-19 in the past few days.

Shephard confirms cabinet and the all-party committee has accepted the recommendation to lockdown that chunk of Zone 4. Effective midnight tonight.

#BREAKING Return to full-time, in-person learning for high schools to be delayed. The decision will be revisited the week of April 26.