All COVID-19 test results received in last 24 hours are negative

Prince Edward Island’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, today confirmed that there are no new positive cases of COVID-19 in the province and all test results received in the last 24 hours have come back negative.  

Last weekend, Dr. Morrison announced an outbreak of COVID-19 in eleven (11) individuals – mostly in the 20-29 age group with all individuals living or working in the Greater Charlottetown Area. All of the cases were linked to each other.

On Sunday, Dr. Morrison recommended that all individuals age 20-29 living in the Greater Charlottetown Area be tested, even if they do not have symptoms. On Tuesday, Dr. Morrison’s recommendation was more focused, targeting individuals age 20-29 who share living accommodations with others in the same age group, work in crowded conditions (e.g. fast food restaurants) or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.

The rising incidence of COVID-19 in the 20-29 age group continues to be a concern across the country, and Prince Edward Island’s Chief Public Health Office wanted to ensure the virus was not circulating undetected among this age group in the province. 

As of today, 2,344 tests were processed for individuals age 20-29 and an additional 1,700 tests were collected with results pending for a total of over 4,000 tests in four days.  

“The response from individuals age 20-29 has been overwhelming, and I’m appreciative of the more than 4,000 young people who responded so quickly to our ask, doing their part to help us contain COVID-19 in our province and keep Islanders safe,” said Dr. Morrison. “The high degree of targeted testing done over the past four days and negative results received to date is certainly reassuring at this point.”

Given the large volume of tests completed, the negative results and appreciating the demand on laboratory resources, starting tomorrow (December 11) the testing focus for those in the 20-29 age group will be on individuals experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.  

Dr. Morrison is reminding all Islanders to get tested if they experience any symptoms of COVID-19, and self-isolate until the results come back. Islanders are also encouraged to download the free national COVID Alert app, which will to let them know if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Prince Edward Island currently has 13 active cases of COVID-19 and has had a total of 84 positive cases of COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic.

 
Backgrounder: 

The Chief Public Health Office continues to work closely with the federal government, provincial and territorial counterparts, government departments and Health PEI to monitor the pandemic situation and prepare for all COVID-19 related impacts to the province, including health, social and economic. The public health risk of COVID-19 is continually reassessed and Islanders will be updated as new information becomes available.

Everyone is encouraged to follow routine prevention measures:

• Wear a mask in closed, indoor public spaces
• Washing hands frequently with soap and water
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue
• Stay home if you are not feeling well
• Limit touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Keep your circle of contacts small
• Maintain a distance of two meters from others as much as possible
• Don’t share items like drinking glasses and water bottles
• Frequently clean surfaces like taps, doorknobs and countertops

Media Contact:
Samantha Hughes
Health and Wellness
shughes@gov.pe.ca