On today’s Tantramar Report:
We feature a conversation with Dorchester’s Bill Steele.
A transplant from Toronto and heritage building enthusiast, Steele bought the Dorchester Jail in 2017 and now operates it as an AirBnB. Last March, Steele took a tour of the Wood Block building on Bridge Street in Sackville, home to local restaurants, apartments, and the old Imperial Theatre. As we wait on news of a possible sale of the Wood Block, we check in with Steele to hear about his experience of the building and his thoughts on heritage properties in the Tantramar region.
Plus, more local news and information:
14 known active cases at Mount Allison, rapid test reporting explodes in province
14 people in the Mount Allison community have self-reported active cases of COVID-19 as of Tuesday morning.
In an update published online, the university says that four of the cases are on-campus and 10 are off-campus, and that all cases are managing symptoms at home.
The university is asking anyone in the community who tests positive to report their result to the school’s vaccination and testing verification clerk, in addition to reporting it online to the government of New Brunswick.
Since January 3, 38 cases have been self-reported to Mount Allison, according to the university. Mount Allison says it will provide a weekly campus and community COVID-19 update every Tuesday.
Self-reported COVID-19 cases in the province jumped by over 1600 yesterday, based on results of rapid testing voluntarily submitted by New Brunswickers. That’s double the number typically reported daily so far. There were 330 new cases reported through PCR testing.
Three more people died from COVID-19, and the number of people in hospital remained at 113, with 15 people under intensive care.
Upcoming vaccination clinics in Sackville
Public Health is planning three vaccination clinics in Sackville for February.
Saturday, February 5, Monday, February 7, and Thursday, February 24 are slated for full day clinics at the Sackville Visitor Information Centre on Mallard Drive.
The town of Sackville released the dates on Tuesday, but as of Wednesday morning, the clinics have not yet appeared as options in the province’s vaccination booking system at gnb.ca/bookavaccine
Both the Jean Coutu and Corner Drug Store pharmacies in downtown Sackville do have appointments available, with registration through their websites.
Sackville’s next clinic is at the Visitor Information Centre on Monday, January 24, and the province’s website says that people 12 years and older looking for a first or second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine will be able to walk-in for an appointment.
MAFA weighs in on Sackville hospital and Rural Health Action Group expresses optimism
Two Sackville organizations are keeping the situation at the Sackville hospital top-of-mind, and issued statements this week. David Gordon Koch brings us updates from the Rural Health Action Group and Mount Allison Faculty Association.
Your province needs YOU: call for volunteers and workers to help in pandemic response
The province of New Brunswick is calling for help.
In a release on Tuesday afternoon, health minister Dorothy Shephard issued an “urgent” call for volunteers to take on clinical and non-clinical work, in either paid or unpaid capacities.
Clinical work includes administering vaccinations and COVID-19 testing, patient services and personal support work. Non-clinical work includes clerical support, office administration, logistical support, data entry, customer service, and food preparation and delivery.
The province says it will provide training and protective equipment where necessary.