Two new cases of COVID-19; new travel guidance; West Royalty School outbreak update

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

One individual is in their 40’s and is a close, household contact of a previously announced case at West Royalty Elementary school. As a close contact, this individual has already been self-isolating

The other individual is in their 50s, who recently travelled outside of Atlantic Canada. Contact tracing is underway. 

There is a public exposure notification for Charlottetown:

• Saturday, September 25
  • Boston Pizza (700 University Avenue) from 12:30 pm to 1:15 pm

Anyone who visited this location at 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 exposure. If symptoms develop, individuals should isolate immediately and be re-tested. 

Anyone who visited this location at these times who is fully vaccinated should monitor for symptoms for 14 days and if any symptoms develop, isolate immediately and visit a drop-in testing clinic. 

“We remain focused on our game plan, to limit the importation of the virus and to contain community spread when we have cases of COVID-19. We continue to use the tools at our disposal, the PEI pass, screening and testing at points of entry, isolation and follow-up with people who are unvaccinated. As much as we want to get back to normal, we need to remember that although we might be done with COVID-19, it is not done with us. The last mile with this global pandemic is longer and more challenging than we could have imagined.”

- Dr. Heather Morrison

Prince Edward Island currently has nine active cases of COVID-19 and has had 296 positive cases since the pandemic began.

As of Saturday, September 25, 93.6 per cent of the eligible population have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 86.2 per cent received two doses. 

Beginning today, for at least two weeks, individuals over the age of 12 years who travel to PEI from any destination, regardless of vaccine status, are asked to be tested at least once after their arrival between days four and eight. If any symptoms develop at any time, individuals should isolate and be tested immediately. 

Additionally, all school-aged children under 12 years of age, travelling to PEI are asked to be tested twice, once on day four and again on day eight after they arrive. Island students will need a negative test result before returning to school. If any symptoms develop at any time, children should isolate and be tested immediately. 

Effective immediately, PEI Passes will only be issued to individuals who have received their second dose of approved vaccine, at least 14 days prior. 

As an additional protection for Island residents and visitors, by September 30, enhanced testing at points of entry will move from recommendations to requirements:

• Everyone entering PEI, regardless of vaccination status, will be required to be tested at points of entry.
• School-aged children who cannot be tested at the point of entry will be given self-testing kits to ensure they have a negative test before returning to school. 
• Individuals who travel to PEI who are not fully vaccinated will be required to self-isolate for eight days with a negative test on day eight. 

Due to increased testing at the points of entry, travel delays, especially in Borden-Carlton, are to be expected. 

To date there have been 30 cases linked to the outbreak at West Royalty Elementary School. Nine are children under the age of 10 years, 15 are between the ages of 10 and 19 years, and six cases are adults (household contacts of the children). Over 340 individuals were identified as close contacts linked to the outbreak. The outbreak will be declared over when at least 14 days have passed with no new cases linked to the outbreak. 

Since August, 87 per cent of PEI’s cases have been identified as the highly contagious Delta variant. 

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.

For the latest information about Prince Edward Island’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, visit: COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Prince Edward Island.

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