Three new positive cases of COVID-19 confirmed for PEI, additional public exposure locations

Prince Edward Island’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison, has announced a cluster of three new positive case of COVID-19 in the province and is advising of related public exposure locations in Charlottetown. 

All three cases are women in their 20s with no history of out-of-province travel. The positive test results were confirmed earlier today and the women are close contacts of one another. All three women work at restaurants in the Charlottetown area. These individuals remain at home in self-isolation. Contact tracing is underway and all close contacts will be tested, remain in self-isolation for 14 days and also be followed by public health daily.  

There are multiple COVID-19 public exposure locations related to this case, including public transit travel: 

•    A&W Restaurant (650 University Avenue): 
Monday, November 30; Wednesday, December 2; and, Friday, December 4

•    Wendy’s/Tim Hortons Restaurants (643 University Avenue): 
Tuesday, December 1; Wednesday, December 2; and, Friday, December 4

•    T3 Transit bus routes: 
Bus Route 1: Monday, November 30, between 4 and 5pm
Bus Route 1: Tuesday, December 1, between 10:30 and 11:30am, as well as 6:30 and 7:30pm
Bus Route 1: Wednesday, December 2, between 2 and 3pm, as well as 10 and 11 p.m.
Bus Route 1: Friday, December 4, between 1:30 and 2:30pm
Bus Route 1: Friday, December 4, between 6 and 7am, as well as 5 and 6pm

Anyone who was at these locations or traveled on the public transit routes during these times should closely monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and, if symptoms develop, get tested and isolate until they receive the results. The Charlottetown COVID-19 drop-in testing clinic on Park Street will be open later this evening, until 8pm, for anyone who needs to be tested. 

Dr. Morrison stated that public health is investigating the source of these infections. Islanders are urged to diligently follow public health measures such as wearing a non-medical mask, physically distancing, washing hands frequently, keeping their circle of close contacts small and staying home when feeling unwell. 

Dr. Morrison is also reminding all Islanders of the importance of getting tested if experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, and to self-isolate until the results come back. Islanders are also encouraged to download the free national COVID Alert app, which will to let them know if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Prince Edward Island currently has 8 active cases of COVID-19 and there has been a total of 76 positive cases of COVID-19 in the province 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:

• Washing 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
• Maintain a distance of two meters from others as much as possible
• 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