FREDERICTON — Health officials in New Brunswick are reporting 746 new cases of COVID-19 and three deaths related to COVID-19 in the province today. 

The deaths involve a person in their 70s in the Moncton region and two people in their 80s in the Saint John area.   

There are currently 56 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the province, including 16 in intensive care.  

Officials say 37 of the patients are over the age of 60, and 11 are on a ventilator.  

In a statement, officials say there are 571 health-care staff isolating at home due to COVID-19 — up from 530 on Monday.

Starting Wednesday morning, the province will reserve PCR tests for people who are at the highest risk of being hospitalized with the virus.  

That includes health-care workers and those who work in long-term care facilities, people who are over the age of 50 and are symptomatic and people who are immunocompromised or pregnant and are symptomatic.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 4, 2022.

The Canadian Press