FREDERICTON — Health officials in New Brunswick reported 779 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday and three more COVID-19-related deaths. 

The deaths involved a person in their 50s in the Saint John region and two people in the Fredericton region — one in their 50s and the other in their 70s.  

There were 59 people in hospital with the disease, including 16 in intensive care.  

Ten people were on a ventilator.   

Starting Saturday, the provincial government will stop releasing the number of daily cases confirmed by PCR testing in its news releases. The numbers will continue to be available on the government's online dashboard.

Chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell says the number of daily PCR-confirmed cases is not a true reflection of the severity of the situation in the province.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 5, 2022. 

The Canadian Press