FREDERICTON — New Brunswick is reporting 61 new cases of COVID-19 today and one new death.

Health officials say a person in their 70s has died in the Fredericton area, bringing the total number of deaths since the onset of the pandemic to 53.

Officials say 52 of the latest cases, or 85 per cent, involve individuals who are not fully vaccinated. 

According to the province, 78.9 per cent of people 12 years of age and older are fully immunized, while 87.7 per cent of those eligible for a vaccine have received their first dose. 

There are currently 580 active cases in the province with 32 people in hospital as a result of the disease, including 13 in intensive care.

In a news release Saturday, Premier Blaine Higgs said he was saddened to learn of the latest virus-related death.

“Our thoughts are with this person’s family and friends and with everyone who has lost a loved one or has gotten sick due to COVID-19," said Higgs. "We all owe it to them to do our part to protect each other by please, if you can, getting vaccinated.”

Saturday's new cases included 18 in the Edmundston area, 16 in the Fredericton region, nine in the Cambellton area, six in the Moncton region, four in the Saint John area, two in the Miramichi area and six cases each in the Moncton and Bathurst regions.

Meanwhile, the province reinstated its state of emergency late Friday in order to deal with a sudden surge in COVID-19 cases.

The measures include new rules to limit contacts, ensure physical distancing and require certain businesses and events to have vaccination or masking-and-testing policies.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 25, 2021.

The Canadian Press