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

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

Yesterday, 1,300 COVID-19 tests were processed province-wide and all were returned with negative results. A large majority of these tests have been Islanders between the ages of 20 and 29 years of age. On Sunday, Islanders in their 20s were encouraged to be tested after a cluster of positive COVID-19 cases was identified in this age group. An additional 2,000 COVID-19 tests are currently pending results.

“It is so encouraging to see young Islanders respond quickly to the call to be tested. The results of these tests will give us a better sense of any potential spread of COVID-19 throughout this age group and can assist in stopping the chain of transmission,” said Dr. Morrison. “It is clear that those in their 20s, as well as all Islanders, care deeply for their community and are willing to do whatever it takes to look after one another.”

The Chief Public Health Office is asking individuals 20 - 29 years of age living in the greater Charlottetown area who live with multiple roommates in the same age group, work in a crowded setting with others in this age group (such as the fast food industry) or who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 to get tested as soon as possible.

Anyone in the 20-29 age group in the greater Charlottetown area who does not have symptoms can be tested any time over the next several days. People in this category do not need to self-isolate before or after getting tested while awaiting results and can attend work or school. 

COVID-19 test clinic hours have been extended for this week at various locations across the province to support the increase in demand. Today, an additional test clinic was set up at Holland College primarily for staff, students and those without a vehicle, and tomorrow there will be a drop-in testing clinic at UPEI primarily for staff and students. All testing clinics and staff are working together to ensure individuals are tested as quickly as possible and no one is turned away.

All Islanders should 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 14 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:

• 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
• Wear a mask in closed, indoor public spaces
• 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