New Brunswick is reporting an increase in COVID-related hospitalizations and deaths in its latest Respiratory Watch report.

Public Health says there were 91 hospital admissions during the two-week period from Sept. 3 to 16.

A majority of the patients — 68 of them — were aged 65 and over. There were also 15 people aged 45 to 64, six between the ages of 20 and 24, and two people under the age of 20.

Five people were also admitted to an intensive care unit, which includes two aged 45 to 64 and three aged 65 and over.

Four more deaths were reported, all involving people aged 65 and over, according to Public Health.

There were 187 new COVID cases reported during the two-week period, with the test positivity rate remaining stable at 13 per cent.

In addition, there were 25 lab-confirmed COVID outbreaks reported during the period.

Health officials recently made changes to how COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations are tracked.

Public Health now defines a COVID death as “a confirmed case who was admitted to hospital and whose death occurred during their stay.”

“A death due to COVID-19 or influenza does not mean that it was necessarily the primary or contributing factor to the cause of death. Therefore, only deaths that occur in hospital will be reported,” said the department.

“Deaths that occur outside of hospital are subject to a reporting lag that can last months, while in-hospital deaths is a more timely indicator for disease severity.”

Hospital figures will now include patients hospitalized for and with COVID, not just those hospitalized because of complications from the disease.

Public Health said that aligns with the current reporting process they have in place for influenza.

“The department recognizes that both types of patients have an impact on the system,” said the statement.