Health PEI urges patience as cases increase and demand increases for Paxlovid

Health PEI is asking for patience as high volumes of Islanders are requesting Paxlovid to treat COVID-19. Paxlovid is available for individuals age 50 and older regardless of vaccination status, or anyone age 18 and older who are immunocompromised or have underlying health conditions.

Speak to your health care provider (family physician or nurse practitioner) to find out if you should receive Paxlovid. Those without a primary care provider should call 811 to be referred to a prescriber. 

If you have COVID-19

You must self-isolate for seven days from when your symptoms began or from the date of your COVID-19 test, whichever is shorter. You can exit self-isolation after seven days if you are not experiencing any symptoms or if symptoms are improving (and no fever for the last 24 hours). If symptoms do not improve, extend self-isolation to ten days total.

If you are immune compromised, you must isolate for ten days and must be feeling better with no worsening symptoms to exit isolation. 

What to do if you think you may have COVID-19? 

Monitor for symptoms. If you have symptoms, isolate immediately and book a COVID test. If you are at higher risk of more severe outcomes, you need a testing clinic result to facilitate access to treatment. 

Book a test

Provincial testing clinics have now moved to booked appointments whenever possible: 

• Book directly through the online booking tool, or
• Call toll free 1-844-975-3303, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m.to 4 p.m.
• Walks-ins will continue to be accepted during hours of operation. Priority will be given to those with an appointment.

To inquire about information on COVID testing 

• Call 1-855-354-4358, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Visit: COVID-19 Testing in PEI

Media Contact: 
Dave Atkinson
Health PEI
datkinson@ihis.org
(902) 213-5936