Seven new cases of COVID-19; public exposure notifications

Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, has announced seven new cases of COVID-19. One individual is in their 60s, four are in their 50s, one is in their 30s and one is in their 20s.

Two of the individuals recently traveled outside of PEI. 

Five of the individuals are contacts of previously announced cases. Two of the five are associated with the cluster of cases that began in Prince County. Three are associated with a workplace outbreak (not associated with the Prince County cluster) that is still under investigation. This workplace does not provide service to the public and is not considered a public exposure. 

There are new public exposure notifications in Charlottetown:

• Saturday, November 20
  • Giant Tiger (449 University Avenue) between 10:30 am and 11:00 am
  • Farmer’s Market (100 Belvedere Avenue) between 11:00 am and 11:30 am
• Sunday, November 21
  • Mark’s (202 Buchanan Drive) between 2:00 pm and 3:00 pm

Anyone who was at these locations during these times who is not fully vaccinated should visit a drop-in testing clinic to be tested and monitor for symptoms for 14 days from the date of exposure. If any symptoms develop, individuals should be re-tested.

Anyone who was at these locations during these times who is fully vaccinated should monitor for symptoms for 14 days from the date of exposure and if any symptoms develop, they should visit a drop-in testing clinic.

There is also a new flight notification:

• Air Canada flight 8218 from Montreal to Charlottetown on Monday, November 22

Anyone who travelled on this flight should monitor closely for symptoms of COVID-19 and if any develop, visit a drop-in testing site. 

There are now 24 cases associated with the cluster of cases that began in Prince County.

Prince Edward Island currently has 36 active cases of COVID-19 and has had 363 positive cases since the pandemic began. 

“With a growing number of active cases across the province, it is extremely important that anyone who is experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, even if they are mild symptoms, visit a Health PEI testing clinic to be tested.

- Dr. Heather Morrison. 

Health PEI community-based clinics for children age 5-11 will soon be offered across PEI in O’Leary, Summerside, Charlottetown, Montague and Souris. Appointments can be made by using Skip the Waiting Room or by calling the vaccine booking line at 1-844-975-3303. Health PEI will offer school-based clinics beginning in January, with parents choosing to have their child immunized at a community clinic or at school. A consent signed by a parent or legal guardian is required before a child is immunized. For more information, visit: COVID vaccines for kids. 

As of Saturday, November 20, 94.3 per cent of eligible Island residents have received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine and 90.5 per cent are fully vaccinated with two doses.

As always, all 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.

Anyone age 12 and over can receive their COVID-19 vaccination at one of the Health PEI clinics and those age 18 years or older can visit one of the 28 partner pharmacies across the province.  

For information on PEI’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, including vaccine facts, immunization data and booking an appointment, visit: COVID-19 Vaccines. For answers to commonly asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, visit: Answers to Common COVID-19 Vaccine Questions.

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
• Get vaccinated
• Wear a non-medical mask in indoor places
• Stay home if you are not feeling well
• Limit touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Keep your circle of contacts small
• 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