Five new positive COVID-19 cases in PEI

Prince Edward Island’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, has confirmed five new positive cases of COVID-19 in the province related to travel.

One case is a man in his 30s who arrived in the province on December 8 following international travel. He remains in self-isolation and is being followed by public health daily.  

The other four are part of the same household and include a man and woman, both in their 20s, who arrived in the province on December 2 following domestic travel outside the Atlantic Canada region, as well as a man and woman, both in their 50s, who are close contacts of the 20-year olds. All four individuals have been isolating since December 2 and are now being followed by public health daily. 

“This is a clear indication that self-isolation upon return from travel, along with the other strong public health measures and protocols that we have put in place to keep Islanders safe from COVID-19 are working. Following isolation protocols, especially after returning from travel, is key to reducing the risk of exposure and transmission of the virus in our communities,” said Dr. Morrison. 

There are no public exposures locations in PEI related to these cases. The travel-related details for the positive cases are as follows: 

• December 8: Air Canada flight 7462 from Toronto to Charlottetown 
• December 2: Air Canada flight 7462 from Toronto to Charlottetown

The Chief Public Health Office has been in communication with the airline and, out of an abundance of caution, all passengers who travelled on these flights should monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. If any passengers develop symptoms they should immediately visit a Drop-in Testing Clinic to be tested.

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 17 active cases of COVID-19 and has had a total of 89 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:

• 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 wel
• 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:
Amanda Hamel    
Executive Director of Communications and Public Affairs
Office of the Premier
(902) 314-2721
ahamel@gov.pe.ca