Four additional positive cases of COVID-19 in PEI

Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, has confirmed four additional positive COVID-19 cases in Prince Edward Island. 

The new cases are a woman in her 20s and three men, two in their 20s and one in his 30s. None of these cases have a history of recent travel outside of the province. These new cases are all close contacts of the cases reported over the weekend. At this point, the source of this outbreak is unknown and is still under investigation. Contact tracing continues, with all close contacts being tested and required to self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of their test results.

Today marks the first day of the new “Circuit Breaker” measures to aggressively curb and contain the spread of COVID-19 in PEI. These measures are in place for two weeks and are intended to break the chain of transmission of COVID-19 in the province.

It is recommended that all individuals between the ages of 20 and 29, living in the Greater Charlottetown Area be tested for COVID-19 this week, even if they do not have symptoms. Additional testing will provide valuable information about the presence of COVID-19 in this age group. Those in this age group experiencing symptoms should be tested as soon as possible and isolate until they receive the test result. Those in this age group who are not experiencing symptoms or are not close contacts of a confirmed case, do not need to self-isolate while awaiting test results.

To support the increase in demand for testing, Health PEI has increased access to COVID-19 testing clinics:

• Stratford testing clinic (Stratford Town Hall): open until 8:00 pm tonight
• Charlottetown testing clinic (Park Street): open until 8:00 pm every night this week 
• Montague testing clinic (Montague Legion): open until 4:00 pm today
• Summerside testing clinic (Slemon Park): open until 6:00 pm tonight
• O’Leary testing clinic (O’Leary Health Centre): open until 4:00 pm today 

Additional information on COVID-19 testing clinics across the province is available online. 

Testing clinics have processes in place for individuals who arrive on site without a vehicle. Staff will direct these individuals when they arrive. Government is working with Holland College to set up an additional testing clinic at their Charlottetown Campus – a walk-in clinic for those who do not have a vehicle.

Dr. Morrison is reminding all Islanders of the importance of getting tested if experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, and to 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 since the onset of the pandemic there has been 84 positive cases of COVID-19 in the province.

Information about the province’s COVID-19 cases is available at PEI COVID-19 Case Data.

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