Circuit breaker announced for PEI as new cases of COVID-19 announced

Premier Dennis King and Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison have announced new circuit breaker measures to curb and contain the spread of COVID-19 in PEI as new cases are identified. 

Dr. Morrison announced six new cases in the province, for a total of 12 new cases in the past four days. Five of the individuals are men in their 20s and the other is a woman in her 20s. All six cases are close contacts of previously announced cases. All individuals are self-isolating and being followed daily by public health. 

Over 150 people have been identified as close contacts of the cases, and this number is expected to continue to rise as contact tracing efforts continue. All close contacts are required to self-isolate for 14 days from their last known contact with the positive case, regardless of their test results. 

To date, a travel connection has not been identified for 10 of the 12 cases announced since Wednesday. 

There are additional public exposure locations in Summerside related to these cases:

Pita Pit (425 Granville Street) 

• Friday, February 19  between 11:00 am to 9:00 pm
• Sunday, February 21 between 11:00 am and 7:00 pm
• Monday, February 22 between 12:00 pm and 9:00 pm
• Tuesday, February 23 between 12:00 pm and 9:00 pm 
• Wednesday, February 24 between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm 
• Friday, February 26 between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm

Callbecks Home Hardware (614 Water Street)

• February 16, 18, 19, 20, 22, and 25 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm

Burger King (511 Granville Street)

• Sunday, February 14 between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm
• Wednesday, February 17 between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm
• Thursday, February 18 between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm
• Saturday, February 20 between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm
• Sunday, February 21 between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm
• Monday, February 22 between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm
• Wednesday, February 24 between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm
• Thursday, February 25 between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm

Dominos Pizza (505 Granville Street)

• Wednesday, February 17 between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm
• Monday, February 22 between 4:00 pm and 11:00 pm
• Tuesday, February 23 between 4:00 pm and 1:00 am
• Wednesday, February 24 between 4:00 pm and 1:00 am

In addition, there are several new public exposure notifications:

Dollarama in Summerside (454 Granville Street)

• Saturday, February 20 between 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm

Walmart/Burger King in Summerside (511 Granville Street)

• Saturday, February 20 between 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm

Shoppers Drug Mart in Summerside (454 Granville Street):

• Sunday, February 21 between 10:00 am and 11:00 am

Superstore in Montague:

• Wednesday, February 24 between 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm
• Thursday, February 25 between 4:30 and 5:30 pm

Tailgate Bar and Grill in Montague:

• Thursday, February 25 between 9:30 pm to 11:30 pm

Individuals who were at any of the public exposure locations on the specified dates and times should immediately self-isolate and be tested for COVID-19.  Following an initial negative test, individuals do not need to continue self-isolating but must monitorthemselves closely and be tested if any symptoms develop. 

Get a complete list of recent public exposure notifications. Any additional exposures will be added to this website and will be posted on social media. 

In order to interrupt the chain of transmission and allow time to control the current outbreak, effective Sunday, February 28 at 8:00 am and ending no sooner than 8:00 am on Monday, March 14, the following measures will be in place:

• Personal gatherings will continue to be household plus a maximum of 10 consistent individuals;
• Organized gatherings will be limited to 50 people for concerts, worship services and movies; there will be no additional cohorts permitted;
• Weddings and funerals may continue to have up to 50 people (plus officiants) and no wedding or funeral receptions are permitted;
• Supervised gyms and fitness facilities may operate at up to 50% of standard operating capacity with additional cleaning;
• Museums and libraries may operate at up to 50% capacity;
• Individual and team practices are permitted in accordance with gathering limits; games, tournaments and competitions are not permitted;
• Retail stores, markets and craft fairs may operate at 50% of standard operating capacity, provided entrances and exits are monitored;
• In room dining is not permitted; take-out and delivery of food is permitted;
• Personal services may operate on an appointment basis, provided a non-medical mask is worn at all times by staff and patrons;
• Child care centres can continue to operate at full capacity; and 
• There will continue to be three partners in care and designated visitors for long term care.

If measures can be safely eased before March 14, it will be considered.  If measures are not effective in breaking the chain of transmission of COVID-19 and getting the outbreak under control, restrictions may be increased.

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 let them know if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Prince Edward Island has 13 active cases of COVID-19 and has had a total of 126 positive cases of COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic. Information about the province’s COVID-19 cases is available online.

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:
•    Wash 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 
•    Physical distance - stay two meters (6 feet) apart 
•    Don’t share items like drinking glasses and water bottles 
•    Frequently clean surfaces like taps, doorknobs and countertops 
•    Visit a drop-in-clinic to be tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms 

 

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