One new case of COVID-19

Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, has announced one new case of COVID-19.

The individual, who is between the ages of 10 and 19, had recently travelled outside of Atlantic Canada. They tested positive through routine testing. The individual has been self-isolating since arriving on Prince Edward Island and there are no school exposures. They are being followed daily by public health.  

There is a flight exposure notification related to the case. Anyone who travelled on Air Canada flight AC8302 from Montreal to Charlottetown on Saturday, April 17 are advised to monitor closely for symptoms and if any develop, visit a drop-in testing clinic and continue to self-isolate until a negative result is received. 

In PEI, 46, 278 doses of vaccine have been administered to adults over the age of 16, with 9,768 individuals being fully immunized with two doses. For more information on PEI’s COVID-19 vaccine roll out and appointment booking information, visit COVID-19 Vaccines.

Travel to and from PEI should be avoided, unless for essential purposes. Some travel to PEI will continue to be approved in accordance with the existing travel streams (ex: compassionate or work purposes).

Islanders are urged to get tested if they experience any symptoms of COVID-19, even after a previous negative test, and to 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 currently has 12 active cases of COVID-19 and has had 175 positive cases 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