One new case of COVID-19 and all initial test results from close contacts at child care centre are negative

Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, has announced one new positive case of COVID-19 in Prince Edward Island.

The new case is an individual in their 20s who is a close contact of a previously announced case related to a child care centre.  The individual initially tested negative but after developing symptoms, has tested positive.  The individual was self-isolating; there are no public exposures related to this case.

On Thursday, May 13th a staff member of the Leaps and Bounds Child Care Centre in Charlottetown tested positive.   As of today, all children and staff have been tested and initial results are negative.  All close contacts must self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of their test result.  Close contacts are being followed daily by public health and will be tested again between days 4-6 and days 9-11.

As always, 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 ten active cases of COVID-19 and has had 191 positive cases since the onset of the pandemic. Information about the province’s COVID-19 cases is available online.

Islanders are encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and every Island resident 12 and older who wants to be immunized will have an opportunity to receive the vaccine in 2021. Information on PEI’s COVID-19 vaccine roll out and appointment booking information 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