Two new positive cases of COVID-19 in PEI; Vaccine update

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

One of the cases, a female in her 20s, is linked to travel outside of Atlantic Canada. The other, a woman in her 40s, is a close contact of a previously reported case. Both individuals are self-isolating and are being followed by public health daily. Contact tracing is underway. 

There are no public exposure locations or air travel notifications related to these cases.

“We have to recommit to being vigilant and continue to work together to prevent importation and transmission of COVID-19. We have to stick together, follow the rules and support one another,” said Dr. Morrison. “We can be grateful to live in PEI where, to date, we have been able to meet every challenge presented to us by COVID-19. While many Canadians are functioning under strict public health measures, in PEI we are in the fortunate situation of gradually easing back to the new normal.”

The current public health restrictions in PEI will remain in place until at least January 25. PEI’s participation in the Atlantic Bubble will continue to be suspended until at least mid-February. 

As of yesterday, 5,910 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, including 1,407 second doses. By the end of the week, everyone living and working in long term care and community care facilities will have received their first dose, and will begin receiving their second dose next week. By February 16, all long term care and community care residents and staff will be fully immunized against COVID-19. 

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 to let them know if they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

With five cases recently recovered, Prince Edward Island currently has seven active cases of COVID-19 and has had a total of 110 positive cases of COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic. Information about the province’s COVID-19 cases is available online.

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:

• 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