FREDERICTON — New Brunswick has reported an outbreak of two new cases of COVID-19 in a special-care home in Moncton, the second outbreak in a long-term care facility in the province since the pandemic began.

Both cases involve residents in the Notre-Dame Manor in Moncton. They tested positive for the disease after public health started an investigation into the facility Monday night.

During an update Tuesday, Dr. Jennifer Russell, chief medical officer of health, said the two cases were currently in stable condition.

All of the facility’s residents and staff are being tested for the virus and contact tracing is underway, Russell said, adding that some staff members have reported potential COVID-19 symptoms.

Premier Blaine Higgs said the latest outbreak shows why the province needs to keep up its strict protocols.

Higgs told reporters New Brunswick’s provincial rapid outbreak management team in the Moncton region will stay at the special-care home for as long as necessary to get the outbreak under control.

Higgs also said all scheduled visits to Notre-Dame Manor are currently on hold.

Russell said the pandemic task force sent out a memo on safe visitation for long-term care facilities a few months ago, but it wasn’t involved in the implementation of those practices in individual homes.

The province reported two new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, both of which were travel-related.

New Brunswick now has now had a total of 205 COVID-19 cases.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 6, 2020.

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This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.

The Canadian Press