One new positive case of COVID-19; Islanders to register self-isolation plans

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

The individual, who is in their 50s, had recently travelled outside of Atlantic Canada and tested positive through routine testing. The individual is in self-isolation and being followed daily by public health.

There is also a flight exposure notification related to the case. Anyone who travelled on Air Canada flight 8302 from Montreal to Charlottetown on Sunday, May 2 is already in isolation or work-isolation, and should monitor closely for COVID-19 symptoms and if any develop, visit a testing site and continue to self-isolate until a negative result is received.  

Two of the recently announced cases of COVID-19 have been identified as the B.1.617 variant of interest, first detected in India. In addition, two previously announced cases have been identified as the B.1.1.7 variant, first detected in the United Kingdom. PEI has had a total of 15 cases of the B.1.1.7 variant. 

Island residents should not travel off Island unless it is necessary. Those travelling to PEI should only do so for essential purposes. 

Self-isolation is legally required upon arrival in PEI. Effective today, all PEI residents who must travel outside of PEI are asked to register their self-isolation plan online prior to returning to the province. Rotational workers, truck drivers, families involved in travel for parenting purposes and those who are work isolating do not have to register a self-isolation plan. PEI residents who travel off Island on a sameday trip and who will be eligible for a self-isolation exemption are not required to register a plan.

Non-residents will continue to submit an isolation plan through the existing pre-travel approval process.  

As of Saturday, May 1, 56,104 doses of vaccine have been administered, including 10,648 second doses. 34.1 per cent of adults over the age of 16 have received at least one dose of vaccine and eight per cent of Island residents have received two doses of vaccine.

PEI remains on track to vaccinate at least 80 per cent of individuals age 16 years and older with at least one dose of vaccine by the end of June and based on the forecasted vaccine supply, second doses are expected to be administered to those age 16 years and older by September. 

Beginning May 17, a limited supply of Moderna vaccine will be available for those age 50 and over at 12 community pharmacies. The week of May 24, anyone age 40 and over will be eligible to receive the Moderna vaccine at pharmacies. Individuals can book online for these appointments. 

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 183 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 16 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