One new positive case of COVID-19 in PEI

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

The individual is in their 20s and is believed to be linked to someone who had recent travel outside of Prince Edward Island. The Chief Public Health Office is currently investigating and contact tracing is underway. All close contacts of the individual will be tested and advised to self-isolate for 14 days regardless of test result. 

The individual is an employee of the Leaps and Bounds Childcare Centre in Charlottetown. The centre has been closed until further notice. Parents have been advised to have their children tested and for members of the household to self-isolate until the test results are back. Household members only need to be tested today if they are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19; anyone who requires testing will be contacted. Public health will be calling all the staff and families today to provide further guidance on isolation and testing requirements. 

“We will know more about the extent of this situation in the next 24 to 48 hours when contact tracing is complete and initial test results are received. We appreciate the cooperation and support from families, the child care facility operator and staff and all Islanders as we continue to investigate this situation.”

- Dr. Morrison

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 seven active cases of COVID-19 and has had 188 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