One new positive case of COVID-19 in PEI; taxi driver notification

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

The individual is a man in his 60s who recently travelled outside of Atlantic Canada. He is self-isolating and being followed by public health daily. Contact tracing is underway. CPHO advises that, as the man is a resident of another Canadian jurisdiction, the case will not be officially counted in PEI’s case count. 

The man travelled on Air Canada Flight AC8302 from Montreal to Charlottetown on February 3. Anyone who travelled on this flight is currently in self-isolation, however they should monitor closely for symptoms and visit a drop-in testing clinic if symptoms develop. 

In reference to a previously announced case, Dr. Morrison is asking taxi drivers who picked up passengers from the Charlottetown Airport on February 1 between the hours of 9:00 pm and 10:30 pm to closely monitor for symptoms, and if symptoms develop visit a drop-in testing clinic.

Dr. Morrison is reminding all Islanders to get tested if they experience any symptoms of COVID-19, and 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 has three active cases of COVID-19 and has had a total of 113 positive cases of COVID-19 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:

• Maintain a distance of two meters from others as much as possible
• Washing hands frequently with soap and water
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue
• Stay home if you are not feeling well
• Wear a mask in closed, indoor public spaces
• Limit touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Keep your circle of contacts small
• Don’t share items like drinking glasses and water bottles
• Frequently clean surfaces like taps, doorknobs and countertops

Media Contact:

Samantha Hughes

Health and Wellness

shughes@gov.pe.ca